Vessel Management Systems News

Offshore installation services company Subsea 7 said Wednesday that its heavy construction/flex-lay vessel Seven Arctic would be equipped with a new energy-saving system. The new energy-saving and storage system will hybridise the vessel which currently has a total installed power of 27 MW and DP3 classification and is suitable for worldwide operations in water depths up to 3,000 metres. "At the heart of the new energy storage system is a containerised battery room with a maximum power of 3750 kW and 1250 kWh of energy. The system also includes a connection for shore power.

ABB said it will supply power integration technology to support operations on a new research vessel being built for the MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) at Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain.Earlier this year, MBARI, located in Moss Landing, Calif., announced construction of a new state-of-the-art research vessel designed by Seattle-based Glosten and named in honor of its founder, David Packard. The 50-meter vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2023.R/V David Packard will feature a wide scope of ABB’s electric…

Acknowledging the need to be a leader in the transition to a lower carbon future and eventually net zero emissions, global trade association Interferry convened its 44th annual conference on the theme of innovation - exploring the potential to transform every aspect of the ferry industry. The drive towards zero-emission ferries captured major attention among a record 420 delegates drawn to London earlier this month by a wide-ranging technical, operational and commercial agenda.

Classification society ABS and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) collaborated to develop cyber security requirements for the ABS Cyber Security-Ready (CS-Ready) Notation for marine assets.A release from ABS said that it issued HHI the first-of-its-kind CS-Ready Notation to a large-scale commercial vessel—a VLCC—delivered in November. “As a global leader in marine cyber security, ABS is pleased to work with HHI to ensure the next generation of vessels is better equipped to address increasing levels of cyber risk,” said John Jorgensen, ABS Chief Scientist, Cyber Security. “Employing the ABS FCI Cyber Risk™ model in implementing this new CS…

ABB has won its first marine automation system contract for a cruise ferry in China, after the technology package for Chinese-built Viking Line vessel has been extended to include the ABB Ability System 800xA.ABB Ability System 800xA integrates power, propulsion and vessel management systems into one platform, enabling both crew and onshore teams to get a comprehensive overview of all the information needed to operate the vessel in the safest and most efficient manner. Adding marine automation to the technology package will improve project management…

ABB will deliver a comprehensive scope of power, automation, propulsion and digital solutions for the new Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. vessel that will take passengers on exploration cruises in remote polar areas. Designed with a focus on safety, environmental sustainability and comfort, this ice-going vessel will be equipped with ABB’s power and automation solutions, as well as two Azipod DO propulsion units. ABB is the only supplier of azimuthing electric podded propulsor systems of sufficiently high ice-going class able to meet the owner’s requirements.

‘Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion’ is a fast moving networking event that focuses on viable solutions for vessels of all sizes. More than 20 expert speakers will highlight a range of unique opportunities. The program covers three phases; ‘Here and Now Technology’ - considers how the U.K. and global marine industry can utilize the latest engineering. ‘Next Generation Systems’ - are within a few years of commercial release. ‘Innovation and Future Possibilities’ - are pushing the boundaries far and wide. The event is being held at the Grand Harbour, Southampton from April 26-28, 2016.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed to use the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) proposals as the basis for the review of the IMO Guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning (DP) systems (MSC/Circ.645). The review will be taken forward by  an IMO intersessional correspondence group that will further develop the draft, with a view to finalizing it at the next meeting of the IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) sub-committee, in 2016. “IMO’s circular 645 is the established international standard for DP systems.

IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality marine products, through its integration-focused design philosophy, created its entire range of 2- and 4-wire PowerLED dimmable light fixtures to be controlled by the industry’s most advanced centralized ship automation and control systems. Incorporating an open architecture design and reliable pulse width modulation (PWM) interface, IMTRA’s PowerLEDs are designed to provide the ideal means for simple and dependable integration with today’s most popular digital vessel management systems. Able to be controlled equally well from any system’s display monitor or a momentary switch, the PowerLEDs feature drivers that minimize inrush current thus generating very little electromagnetic interference.

CMR Group has introduced a new Integrated Alarm Monitoring and Control System (IAMCS) for marine and naval engine applications which it said provides technologically-advanced capabilities for improved marine vessel supervision, safety and management and delivers a cost-effective IAMCS solution that creates long-term operational savings for marine customers. The new IAMCS systems will be on display at the CMR Group stand at the SMM 2014 tradeshow in Hamburg, September 9-12. A microprocessor…

Beier Radio, LLC says that with Sentinel Controls it has relocated operations to a new facility in Gray, Louisiana, along the bustling Central Gulf coast near Houma. In addition, Beier Radio’s corporate office for administration and sales has moved from Belle Chasse to Mandeville, Louisiana, north of New Orleans. The move consolidates Beier Radio’s engineering, service, parts, and training departments, and Sentinel’s manufacturing operations at the new Gray campus, putting the companies in closer proximity to Port Fourchon, the intermodal port of choice for much of the Central Gulf energy activity. The new facility is located along U.S. Highway 90, providing both Beier Radio and Sentinel with more efficient access to their marine clients for equipment design, installation and service.

Kessler-Ellis Products (KEP) – the manufacturer of industry-leading type approved displays and computers, announced today its new range of Intelligent Vessel Management Systems, the KEP IVMS. Used to manage critical assets and information in the most organized and functional way possible, the new KEP IVMS systems gives commercial vessel operators and crew complete monitoring and control, and the real-time information and alerts critical to keeping an organization’s assets running smoothly on the water. The KEP IVMS is available in three configurations, the IVMS, IVMS Pro and IVMS Unlimited and offers solutions for any application and budget.

Kongsberg Maritime inform it has been contracted to deliver substantial technology packages for ten new pipelaying vessels ordered by Brazilian multinational energy corporation, Petrobras. In contracts valued approx. NOK 118 Million, the scope of supply includes Kongsberg Maritime's leading offshore vessel technology including Dynamic Positioning (DP), position reference systems, propulsion control and automation. Six 550-tonne laying tension capacity pipelayers will be built at IHC Merwede in The Netherlands for delivery in 2015 and 2016.

Kongsberg Maritime has been chosen to deliver substantial technology packages for ten new pipelaying vessels ordered by Brazilian multinational energy corporation, Petrobras. In contracts valued approx. NOK 118 Million, the scope of supply includes Kongsberg Maritime’s offshore vessel technology including Dynamic Positioning (DP), position reference systems, propulsion control and automation. Six 550-tonne laying tension capacity pipelayers will be built at IHC Merwede in The Netherlands for delivery in 2015 and 2016. Three of the vessels, for Subsea 7, are identical designs to the recently launched ‘Seven Waves’, and will feature the same K-POS DP22 dual redundant DP system including HiPAP acoustic positioning system and other position reference systems from Kongsberg Maritime.

Since the worst-case scenario became a reality with September's terrorist attacks in the U.S., organizations of all kinds have been forced to re-evaluate how security applies to their operations. While the nation's focus has been primarily on the aviation industry, those of us in the maritime community have immediately seen many ramifications for water borne transportation. Because of the monstrous scale of death and damage, the industry can expect governments and regulatory authorities to apply varying degrees of increased security measures throughout the free world's infrastructure. Substantial security measures have already been taken in the maritime sector. The U.S. Coast Guard is instituting several new port security measures. Security zones have been established in U.S.