Unmanned Machinery News

Matthieu de Tugny, COO, BV on the biggest challenge in autonomous shippingThe regulatory environment, from the IMO, IACS to the flag level, is very sensitive, because you’re talking about people, too. In the 1970s was when we developed the first automation notations for unmanned machinery spaces, the first issue we had was with the trade unions, as it was removing people from the machinery spaces. It’s a flag state issue, it’s a port state issue … to be honest before we talk about autonomous ships we should talk about smart ships…

Magic Pipes, 15 PPM alarms, crew familiarization, improper entries in the oil record book, oil record book not maintained: these are all terms used by various Port State Control (PSC) officers worldwide when referencing the oily water separator. When PSC so decides, it also has the option of making one of these an ISM deficiency, adding another black mark against a vessel. Nevertheless, even with such an important piece of equipment and the records documenting its proper use, both are often neglected.

NYK and the Monohakobi Technology Institute have jointly developed a Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) check system, the first time a Japanese shipping company has developed such a system. In a conventional UMS check, the person in charge monitors equipment by conducting a large number of checks, manually recording the collected data on paper. This new electronic UMS check has been specialized for mobile devices, and NYK aims to introduce it aboard its owned vessels by the end of this year. System features are as below. Notifies operator if abnormal figures are entered, allowing the operator to quickly respond. Helps crew to quickly become aware of abnormalities, and is thus a useful training tool too.

Wärtsilä reports that its first X62 two-stroke engine has successfully passed its design validation, type approval tests and necessary sea trials, and is therefore ready for full market availability. The Wärtsilä X62 is the latest in Wärtsilä's X-Generation of engines that was introduced in 2012. Thus far orders have been received for 127 X-Generation engines which feature a high stroke-to-bore ratio, thus achieving a lower engine speed and reduced brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). The X62 incorporates Wärtsilä's second generation electronically controlled, common-rail fuel injection system. The system facilitates high levels of combustion efficiency to give exceptional fuel savings across the entire load range of the engine.

Cummins Inc., a manufacturer of diesel engines for the commercial marine industry, is pleased to announce the latest addition to the Quantum Series product line and the company’s newest marine auxiliary engine, the QSB7-DM. The Quantum Series 6.7 liter engine was designed for industry-leading reliability, durability and the low cost of ownership marine operators have come to expect from Cummins. “Operators can feel confident knowing Cummins developed a marine engine based on an existing base engine that has proven successful in demanding industrial and power generation applications since production began in 2007,” says Cummins Chief Engineer – Commercial Marine, Mike Aufdermauer.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has unveiled a new marine alarm, monitoring and control solutions. The new series of shipboard machinery automation solutions, marketed by Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine business unit under the VisionMaster label, is being introduced to provide cost-effective scalable solutions for small- to medium-size commercial and naval vessels. The hardware is type approved to meet the requirements of major classification societies for unmanned machinery space operation. Offered in two basic configurations – VisionMaster Alarm Management System (AMS) and VisionMaster Machinery Control System (MCS) – the new Sperry Marine solutions use commercial-off-the-shelf industry-standard components for all key building blocks within the system.

Grandweld, a United Arab Emirates-based shipbuilding, ship repair and conversion specialist, has secured a major contract worth $128m for the construction of three new Salvage Tugs for Sogeport-GICEP of Algeria. Grandweld is a division of GMMOS Group, a provider of marine services to the offshore oil & gas industry backed by Abraaj Capital and Waha Capital. "This contract for three 58m Salvage Tugs is yet another achievement for Grandweld and has helped us maintain a strong and healthy order book into 2012,"said Jamal Abki, General Manager of Grandweld. Contracts have been signed with the ports of Algiers, Arzew and Skikda for the three vessels intended for sea search-and-rescue operations in co-operation with the Algerian Coast Guard.

When operators of properly equipped tugboats receive a system alarm, they know there is a real problem. They also know that they're not going to get any help from an on-board engineer because the operator is the only one on board. But Quebec-based Techsol, Inc.'s helps reduce the alarm, thanks to new Marine Automation Control System (MAX) installed in several harbor tugboats designed by Robert Allan Ltd. This state-of-the-art alarm, control, and monitoring system eliminates both false alarms and the need for an on-board engineer, making it possible for only the pilot and shore engineer to handle any problems that might arise. Techsol…

When operators of properly equipped tugboats receive a system alarm, they know there is a real problem. They also know that they're not going to get any help from an on-board engineer because the operator is the only one on board. But Quebec-based Techsol, Inc.'s helps reduce the alarm, thanks to new Marine Automation Control System (MAX) installed in several harbor tugboats designed by Robert Allan Ltd. This state-of-the-art alarm, control, and monitoring system eliminates both false alarms and the need for an on-board engineer, making it possible for only the pilot and shore engineer to handle any problems that might arise. Techsol…

Cenac Towing of Houma, La., has long had a reputation for quality boats. Both their inland waterway push boats and their off-shore tugs are meticulous in their design, construction and maintenance. In the spring of 2000, the company commissioned a Cummins-powered 2,550 hp, 100 x 34-ft. triple screw off-shore tug, the Andrea Cenac. This May, Cenac is putting their newest and largest tug into service. As with their other new boats, the O.J. Cenac will be Cummins powered. At 130 x 38 ft. with a 15-ft. molded depth, this is a big boat. The new boat marks a milestone for both Cenac and Cummins as it is the first tug into service with Cummins' recently introduced QSK60 engines. With three of these new engines, each turning its own propeller, the O.J.