Transformative Technology News

Candela, manufacturer of zero-emission, electric hydrofoil boats, and Al Seer Marine, a global maritime organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi, announced a partnership to revolutionize waterborne public transportation within the emirate.The partners will work together to introduce Candela's electric hydrofoil boats for public transport use. They will also establish a sales and service network within Abu Dhabi and explore further collaboration opportunities to develop and implement innovative and sustainable public waterborne transport solutions for Abu Dhabi's needs."At Al Seer Marine…

Maersk Training has announced a strategic alliance with SynergyXR to strengthen its ability to create extended reality training solutions. Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term that covers all immersive technologies, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR).With the addition of SynergyXR’s advanced capabilities, Maersk Training promises a more interactive, deeper learning experience. Learners can enjoy delving deep into realistic scenarios…

DNV GL, the risk management and quality assurance company, has bought a stake in leading public blockchain service provider VeChain as it looks to use the technology to develop new digital assurance solutions. The acquisition builds on the strong relationship between the two firms and follows the recent launch of My Story, a blockchain enabled digital assurance product which gives a new level of insight into supplier and product information. DNV GL took the step to buy the minority stake as it recognises the growth potential in both the VeChain and the technology it is advancing. DNV GL will also expand its blockchain capabilities thanks to extra privileges on the VeChainThor platform after becoming an Authority Masternode owner.

The new boat being built for the Virginia Pilots Association joins the increasing number of pilot boats powered by Volvo Penta IPS. The 55-ft. vessel, designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates and built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, will run on twin D13 900 hp U.S. EPA Tier 3 engines with IPS3 drives. “Stability, reliability, support, speed and efficiency – these are the five criteria that we used to select the engine for the new pilot boat,” said Frank Rabena, a 17-year pilot and chairman of the Association’s pilot boat committee. Research began in 2011 when Rabena and the Association’s port engineer, Mark Kampfmueller, visited the Volvo Penta facility in Sweden where they saw the IPS system firsthand and realized its potential.

The IT industry doesn’t like to stand still. Upgrades, updates, new versions and enhanced functionality are released on a regular basis. New services are enabled, bottlenecks eliminated, more joined up operations enabled. The underlying platform remains the same but, over time, its capabilities evolve and stretch to meet changing expectations. But then, every so often, something far more dramatic comes along. We are experiencing one of these more dramatic periods at the moment.

Global Marine Technology Trends 2030, released today, is the culmination of a collaborative project between Lloyd’s Register, QinetiQ and the University of Southampton looking at the future for: commercial shipping – without which world trade would cease; for navies – so vital for security; and the health of the oceans – the vital resource that defines the future wellbeing of the planet. In asking ‘what’s next’ GMTT 2030 is an aid to business, policy makers and society in trying to understand the future for the maritime industries and the oceans. Assessing 56 technologies and then focusing on 18 specific areas of technology, GMTT 2030…

We wish we had a dollar for every time we heard or read the words Big Data at the Nor-Shipping exhibition last month. We might even have collected enough cash to buy a round of expensive Norwegian beers for the gang at the Fridtjof bar. Seriously, Big Data is one of the most talked-about subjects at maritime industry gatherings. At Nor-Shipping there were no fewer than half a dozen panels and conference sessions focusing on the role of Big Data and analytics in commercial shipping.

Close to 1,000 maritime exhibitors showed off the breadth and diversity of the shipping industry at this week’s Nor-Shipping, the bi-annual event that opened in Oslo on 1 June. About 35,000 delegates from 70 countries are expected to attend more than 100 events during the weeklong event that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The speakers said that innovation and investment are key to boosting the maritime industry to new levels. A mix of geopolitics, regulatory pressure, innovation and business issues were discussed at the NorShipping. They also discussed important issues for shipping now and in the near future. Engineering experts at Nor-Shipping have called for more open-source systems to be used on vessels if shipping is to realize the efficiency goals for which it is striving.