Technology Sectors News

U.S.-based maritime logistics and offshore services firm Crowley on Wednesday announced a new investment in Tugdock. Tugdock has developed "the world’s first road-transportable floating dry dock" known as the Tugdock Submersible Platform (TSP), to help advance offshore wind energy in the U.S.Crowley and Tugdock will explore the potential use of the platforms in locations such as the U.S. West Coast, where depth and conventional dry docks may be ill-suited for the logistics required.“This…

ScanReach announced the permanent appointment of Sven Brooks as CEO effective immediately. Brooks brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the maritime and technology sectors, and he'll look to further solidify ScanReach’s position in on-board wireless connectivity.Geir Utne Berg was appointed as Chief Finance Officer (CFO), and he knows ScanReach well from being a member of the Board of Directors.ScanReach’s forte is in on-board wireless connectivity. Image courtesy ScanReach

Crowley has appointed Clay Heil as vice president of global government relations, where he will lead the company’s full spectrum of government advocacy across all of the company’s business interests and activities.Based in Washington, D.C., Heil will spearhead Crowley’s engagement with federal, state and local government partners and elected officials on policy and regulatory matters that support the company’s strategic growth. Heil joins Crowley with more than 25 years of legislative and legal experience. In Congress, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S.

GF Piping Systems launched HEAT-FIT at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, debuting a lightweight, corrosion-free, and efficient thermoplastic piping system.With the HEAT-FIT Jacket System, GF Piping Systems offers a solution that introduces thermoplastic piping systems into essential applications (L3) onboard cruise ships, merchant vessels, and offshore platforms. HEAT-FIT is compatible with the ecoFIT range of polyethylene pipes and fittings designed for industrial applications and water and wastewater treatment.

German propulsion company SCHOTTEL said it has acquired a majority stake in Turkish marine electrical system integration specialist elkon as vessel hybridization and electrification gain traction amid industry efforts toward decarbonization and improved energy efficiency.The contract for the purchase of the majority stake in elkon by the holding company SCHOTTEL Industries GmbH was signed in Istanbul, Turkey, and announced this week at the Nor-Shipping trade fair in Oslo, Norway.“With elkon as renowned and very successful supplier of electrical power system engineering…

Bureau Veritas (BV) has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries for its design and development of “Hi-Float”, a floating offshore wind turbine foundation. The offshore floating wind substructure “Hi-Float” is designed to support a 10MW wind turbine with semi-submersible and mooring technology. According to a press statement issued by BV, at Hi-Float,  a passive ballast system ensures that risk is kept to a minimum during offshore operations. The good…

Maritime medical operations and public health provider VIKAND Solutions, LLC said it has appointed Russ Holmes as director of business development.Perhaps best known for providing end-to-end medical solutions to the cruise industry for its guests and crew, the company said bringing Holmes onboard positions it to further extend its medical best practices and results to the global maritime industry, including commercial shipping, private islands, the gas and oil energy sector, and the yachting market.“To this newly created role at VIKAND…

The evolution of marine design is increasingly influenced by three drivers: New three-dimensional design tools, the increasing complexity of power systems, and new access to high-latitude shipping routes. While new digital design tools are a natural progression of the current Information Age, new propulsion energy requirements and Polar shipping routes are reactions to the legacy of the ebbing Industrial Age. Three-Dimensional Design WorkflowsA young naval architect recently stated…

Lloyd’s Register (LR), which ranks as one of the world’s largest providers of professional services for the engineering and technology sectors, has chalked out a new strategy for future growth in the energy market.The firm, which started out in 1760 as a marine classification society and now has more than 7,000 staff globally, said that the first phase of its new global strategy for its energy business to reposition the professional services portfolio for growth through the energy transition, with an enhanced focus on providing solutions for their clients across increasingly complex operations and infrastructure. The transformation is being led by David Clark…

The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $28 million in funding for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program, Aerodynamic Turbines, Lighter and Afloat, with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control (ATLANTIS). ATLANTIS projects will develop new technologies for floating, offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) using the discipline of control co-design (CCD).“The United States has 13,000 miles of shoreline, which is a huge opportunity to lead the world in capitalizing offshore wind,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry in a press release.

The digitalisation of ports and terminal operations offers ways to realise a “fourth industrial revolution”, bringing with it safety, operational, and environmental benefits, delegates heard at the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) annual general meeting, which was held in the Spanish port city of Bilbao. Digitalisation themes that were explored during presentations included artificial intelligence, data management, cyber-physical systems, and interoperability between layers of IoT platforms – all of which are emerging as ways to improve container throughput at ports and terminals. Keynote speakers Lamia Kerdjoudj-Belkaid, secretary general of ports body FEPORT, and Capt.

As Denel gets ready to revive the Naval Dockyard facilities in Simonstown, the company is collaborating with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) for joint support of the South African Navy frigates and submarines. Denel, which is a global supplier of defense products and solutions, and tkMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on board the SAS Amatola, in Rostock, Germany. The cooperation is based on the recognition of the critical importance of the operational availability of the South African Navy Fleet at all times. Denel’s Maritime division will take responsibility for maintenance and upgrades on three Heroine Class submarines (SAS Manthatisi, SAS Charlotte Maxeke and SAS Queen Modjadji) and four Valour Class Frigates (SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi).

As Denel gets ready to revive the Naval Dockyard facilities in Simonstown, the company is collaborating with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH (tkMS) for joint support of the SA Navy frigates and submarines. Denel, which is a global supplier of world-class defence products and solutions, and tkMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on board the SAS AMATOLA, in Rostock, Germany. The cooperation is based on the recognition of the critical importance of the operational availability of the South African Navy Fleet at all times. Denel’s Maritime division will take responsibility for maintenance and upgrades on three Heroine Class submarines (SAS MANTHATISI…

As part of a new blue tech vision that will create more maritime jobs for the San Diego region, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and County Supervisor Greg Cox today proposed an initiative that was jointly approved by the City of San Diego and County of San Diego to help give San Diego’s blue economy a boost by creating a blue tech incubator. Mayor Faulconer said, “Thanks to our fast-growing blue-tech economy, San Diego has yet another opportunity to be a global leader in technology and innovation. Our coastal city is uniquely positioned to be the perfect global breeding ground for water-related technology, innovation and jobs. Supervisor Cox said…

The Annual Meeting of ASSONAVE, the association of Italian shipbuilders, ship-repairers and producers of marine components and systems took place in Rome recently, chaired by its President, Vincenzo Petrone. The Association explains that this was the first meeting to take place after it expanded its membership to include major companies such as Elettronica, Oto Melara, RINA Services, Selex ES and WASS – all operating in high- technology sectors – and welcomed the Federazione del Mare, representing the Italian maritime cluster, as member of its Executive Committee. A report received by the meeting paints a picture of an increasingly global…

Globe Express Services , one of the world’s top 100 global logistics providers with a market presence in over 80 countries, proudly announces that Steve Hankins has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer. Mr. Hankins, who will report directly to President and CEO Michael C. Hughes, has successfully managed all aspects of Finance and IT during his 21 year career with Tyson Foods, a multi-billion dollar organization.

Ottawa, Ontario – May 4, 2011 – Marport Deep Sea Technologies Inc., a leading developer of Software Defined Sonar® technology, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rear Admiral Millard S. Firebaugh, USN (ret) to the Marport Board of Directors. Admiral Firebaugh has held distinguished leadership positions in research and development, naval ship and system design, submarine technology and advanced electronics. “On behalf of the entire Marport organization, I would like to welcome Admiral Millard Firebaugh to the Marport Board of Directors.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) reported that third quarter 2009 earnings from continuing operations totaled $487 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, compared with $509 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter 2009 net pension adjustment (FAS/CAS) reduced earnings from continuing operations by $47 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared with an increase to earnings from continuing operations of $42 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter 2009 earnings included a net tax benefit of $75 million, or $0.23 per share, primarily for final settlement of the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) examination of the company's 2001, 2002 and 2003 tax returns.

Despite the global recession, offshore spend is expected to grow strongly – from $578b Capex and $379b Opex over the last five years to $807b Capex and $549b Opex over the period to 2013. Exploration for fresh oil & gas supplies and development of existing and newly found accumulations from ever more demanding reservoirs in new extremes of environment, are expected to drive offshore industry spends. These headline forecasts appear in the new, fully updated edition of the “World Offshore Oil & Gas Production and Spend Forecast 2009-2013” published by Douglas-Westwood and Energyfiles.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) reported that second quarter 2009 earnings from continuing operations totaled $394 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, compared with $483 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2008. Second quarter 2009 net pension adjustment (FAS/CAS) reduced earnings from continuing operations by $49 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared with an increase to earnings from continuing operations of $45 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2008. Second quarter 2009 earnings included a net $64 million pre-tax gain, or $0.13 per diluted share, for legal matters…

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced several structural actions to strengthen alignment with its customers, improve the company's program performance and growth potential, and enhance its cost competitiveness. These actions, effective immediately, include streamlining its organizational structure, reducing the number of sectors from seven to five. The five sectors will be Aerospace Systems; Electronic Systems; Information Systems; Shipbuilding; and Technical Services. "These actions are critical steps in shaping our future," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. "Key to our success is the early anticipation of changes in our markets…

By James R. International Maritime Associates, Inc. Floating production has evolved to a mature technology that opens for development oil and gas reservoirs that would be otherwise impossible or uneconomic to tap. The technology enables production far beyond the depth constraints of fixed platforms, generally considered to be 1,400 ft. (426.7 m), and provides a flexible solution for developing short-lived fields with marginal reserves and fields in remote locations where installation of a fixed facility would be difficult. Floating production systems vary greatly in appearance - from ship-shape FPSO vessels to multi hull production semis to cylindrical shaped production spars.