Fleet Operator News

Marine technology company Sea Machines Robotics has unveiled a new uncrewed surface vessel (USV) geared for industries ranging from hydrographic surveying, offshore asset inspection, and persistent on water operations such as security and environmental studies.The first model, SELKIE 7, is a 7-meter USV built on a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) hull and powered by the company's flagship SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system, unlocking autonomous capabilities for any task…

ABB has secured a contract with Auckland Transport (AT) to deliver the maritime world’s first megawatt charging system (MCS) to recharge electric ferries using the same interface as trucks and airplanes. Lowering the barrier to entry, the standardized and highly adaptable system is expected to improve electric vessel competitiveness against fossil-fueled counterparts.As part of its Mission Electric initiative, AT has ordered two 200-seat all-electric ferries and two 300-passenger…

Tidewater Inc., the world's largest fleet operator in the offshore support vessel (OSV) industry, has signed a Global Value Agreement (GVA) with engine manufacturer Caterpillar to ensure comprehensive parts, service, monitoring and maintenance support to help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and increase uptime and availability.Tidewater’s fleet of more than 200 OSVs, including platform supply vessels (PSV), anchor handler towing supply vessels (AHTS), offshore tugs and crew boats…

Over the last two years a series of unexpected events has scrambled global supply chains. Coronavirus, war in Ukraine, Brexit and a container ship wedged in the Suez Canal have combined to delay deliveries of everything from bicycles to pet food.In response, a growing group of startups and established logistics firms has created a multi-billion dollar industry applying the latest technology to help businesses minimize the disruption.Interos Inc, Fero Labs, KlearNow Corp and others…

The technology group Wärtsilä said it has signed a service agreement with the Norway based fleet operator Knutsen OAS covering the reliquefaction plant for four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.The scope of the agreement includes Wärtsilä’s digital Operim (Operational Performance Improvement & Monitoring) system, which provides real-time data on Wärtsilä’s onboard equipment, thus enabling expert management and control to deliver cost-savings and more efficient operations, Wärtsilä said.

Royal Wagenborg renewed and extended Castor Marine’s Global Ku VSAT connection for multiple years.Since 1898 the Dutch family-owned shipping company has been crossing the oceans, evolving to a fleet operator with about 200 vessels. Besides the extension of 52 Global Ku VSAT contracts, Castor Marine will equip an additional 15 Wagenborg vessels, currently on 4G, with VSAT. For more than eight years the company has provided VSAT, Iridium, Inmarsat FBB, and IT services to the Wagenborg fleet.

Marine engineering specialist Royston said it recently completed the extensive inspection, overhaul and service of the main and auxiliary engines and associated components, as well as both azimuth propulsion units, on two tugs operated by Caledonian Towage in the Cromarty Firth.A special survey was carried out on both the Strathdon and Strathdee coastal and harbor towage vessels. The scope of works involved the full overhaul and inspection of the main Niigata propulsion engines and the Yanmar auxiliary and harbor generators…

Kongsberg Maritime said it has signed a contract with Turkish shipbuilder Tersan Shipyard to equip an 86-meter stern trawler with a large winch package for Faroe Islands fishing fleet operator JFK.The package will include four EasyDRIVE electric trawl winches with SmartPΩWER Permanent Magnet (PM) motors. This use of direct drive PM motors, instead of the gearbox arrangements customarily used for trawl winches, improves reliability considerably, the manufacturer said.According to Kongsberg…

German fleet operator SAL Heavy Lift has hired Inatech, a unit of Glencore, to ensure compliance with new low-sulphur emissions rules and optimize bunker strategies.Inatech has seen increased onboarding of its ‘Smart Trader’ app, which enables companies to map entire fleets of ships and visualize and plan for best port to bunker given sea and port conditions to achieve lowest prices for the desired quality of fuel. SAL Heavy Lift will apply Smart Trader across parent group Harren…

It just might. And, you’ve got options.The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) carriage requirements apply to all passenger ships regardless of gross tons or year of build, and to all cargo ships 3000 gross tons or larger built after 2002. A simplified VDR (S-VDR) is allowed on older ships built before 2002. The performance standard was updated in 2014. That said; a full type-approved VDR is not a requirement for inland vessels under 3,000 GT. Nevertheless, a good case to be made for installing a (less costly) data recording device on such vessels, ideally with remote access and reporting as part of an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to monitor the vessel and its installed equipment.

It just might. And, you’ve got options.The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) carriage requirements apply to all passenger ships regardless of gross tons or year of build, and to all cargo ships 3000 gross tons or larger built after 2002. A simplified VDR (S-VDR) is allowed on older ships built before 2002. The performance standard was updated in 2014. That said; a full type-approved VDR is not a requirement for inland vessels under 3,000 GT. Nevertheless, a good case to be made for installing a (less costly) data recording device on such vessels, ideally with remote access and reporting as part of an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to monitor the vessel and its installed equipment.

Dutch shipbuilder and charter fleet operator Neptune Marine has added a new pontoon to its already extensive fleet. Built by Neptune Marine, the NP 459 is a versatile, multi-purpose pontoon of 82.5 metres in length, a beam of 27 metres and a depth of six metres. Its size and specification make it ideal for a wide range of offshore as well as coastal projects.Among its many potential uses, the NP 459’s technical excellence, stability and high QHSE rating make it perfect for use as an accommodation barge. SPS-classed, air-conditioned accommodation for up to 60 people plus four offices and a mess room is available. This can be upgraded…

Damen Marine Components (DMC) signed its first order with a Turkish Shipyard. The client is TERSAN Tersanecilik San. Tic. Aṣ., based at Yalova City on the Sea of Marmara, and the equipment will be installed on a 108-meter Factory Freezer Trawler vessel. Designed by Skipsteknisk AS, design number STL191L, it is currently in build for the Russian fishing fleet operator JSC PT Okeanrybflot.The order is for a single, customised Barke rudder with a surface area of 16 m² and a Commander rotary vane steering gear that delivers a torque of up to 430 kNm.

Tug boat builder and a tug boat manufacturer Sanmar Shipyards has been awarded contract for true tractor configuration tug with forward mounted thrusters by Rimorchiatori Riuniti in Italy."This will be sixth example of the Turkish specialist tug builder’s, exclusive Delicay design in barely a year since the first vessel of this type was delivered to New Zealand," said a press note.Designed by Robert Allan Ltd  of Vancouver, Canada, it is designated theTRAktor 2500-Z SX, it said.Having a 70 tonne bollard pull from a twin Caterpillar/Rolls-Royce diesel engine and azimuthing Z-drive thruster combination, this latest 25.30m x 12m vessel…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)  is to increase the roll-out of Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress Service, across the remainder of its owned and managed fleet. The Japanese shipping company was among the earliest adopters of Fleet Xpress; deploying Inmarsat’s global high-speed broadband connectivity on the majority of its Car-Carriers in 2016, shortly after the launch of the next-generation service. Currently it has over 100 vessels installed. MOL will now install Fleet Xpress across its managed and owned fleet of Bulk carriers…

Swiss container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) paid $630,625 in penalties to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for violating the Ocean-Going Vessel At-Berth Regulation.According to CARB, the violations were discovered during a routine audit of the company’s 2014 visits to the Port of Oakland and the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.The investigation by CARB revealed more than 2500 violations for both the Oakland and LA/LB fleets for failing to reduce auxiliary engine power generation by at least 50 percent and for exceeding limits for auxiliary engine run time as required by the At-Berth regulation, it said.“Ocean-going vessels are significant contributors to air pollution,” said CARB Enforcement Division Chief Todd Sax.

The Nordic region's most high-profile cruise fleet operator is refitting its ships to make them less polluting, and plans to use a byproduct of rotten fish to help power their new, leaner engines.Norway's Hurtigruten, best known for the ships that ferry tourists along the country's fjords and coastline and up into the Arctic, is investing 7 billion crowns ($826 million) over three years to adapt its 17-strong fleet.Six of its older vessels will be retrofitted to run on a combination of liquefied natural gas (LNG)…

Crude tanker rates have continued to strengthen during the early part of the fourth quarter of 2018, particularly in the Atlantic Basin with Aframax tanker rates in this region attaining levels not seen since December 2016 and Suezmax tanker rates averaging the highest since March 2017, says Teekay Tankers.The conventional tanker fleet operator said that crude tanker spot rates firmed counter-seasonally during the third quarter of 2018, which is typically the weakest quarter of the year, as higher OPEC and Russian oil production, coupled with strong crude oil exports out of the U.S. Gulf, offset the impact of seasonally lower oil demand.Crude tanker rates during the third quarter of 2018 averaged higher than rates in the second quarter for the first time since 2014…

Marine Satcom major Inmarsat has introduced two new components to its maritime cyber security service, Fleet Secure, as it continues to develop solutions that combat ever-increasing cyber threats faced by shipowners and ship managers.Accoridng to a press release from the British satellite telecommunications company, vessel operators will benefit from a powerful, multi-layered endpoint security solution, Fleet Secure Endpoint, which is based on industry-leading technology from ESET, a world leader in digital security, and powered by Port-IT to protect desktop computers and other systems connected to a vessel’s network.Fleet Secure Endpoint has been developed to remove infections and thwart hackers before damage occurs to onboard endpoints and connected systems…

Transas said it booked an order in Q1 2018 with the Norway-based fleet operator Wilson ASA to supply a Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) including onboard navigational and communication components to provide enhanced connectivity for business communications and crew services, and access to fleet data from shore-based locations for complete situational awareness.For Transas, which was acquired by Wärtsilä in May 2018, the contract marks one of the first applications of the Thesis concept within Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine Ecosystem vision, which uses high levels of connectivity and digitalization.

The Alaskan Frontier, a Suezmax tanker typically used to transport Alaskan North Slope crude to West Coast refineries, is scheduled to retire, according to vessel operator Alaska Tanker Company. The U.S.-flagged vessel is one of a few that comply with the Jones Act, a maritime law that requires shipments between U.S. ports to take place on U.S.-built and manned vessels. A source, who requested anonymity, said the ship would be retired in June, but the company did not confirm the timing. The Alaska Tanker Company fleet is time chartered to transport BP Plc's Alaska North Slope production.

International safety expert Salvare has secured a number of orders for its Seapod and Mini-Pod lifesaving systems through its U.K. sales agent SeaSafe over the last year. The latest contract for five units went to a U.K. west coast fleet operator, which wants to kit out all of its vessels to help ensure its crews stay safe at sea. Jeremy Dale, managing director, SeaSafe, said, “Since we took on the distribution of Salvare’s Seapod and Mini-pod, units have been sold worldwide from everywhere in between America to Germany. He added that the systems’ popularity speaks for itself.

Barge Master and Bosch Rexroth have jointly introduced a new motion compensated gangway to the offshore wind market. After numerous simulations and virtual tests, the first actually manufactured gangway is currently being tested onshore at the Bosch Rexroth facilities in Boxtel, the Netherlands. On June 21 this location was transformed into a presentation area, where the visitors were informed about the partnership between the two companies, and allowed to have a close look at the complex technology on the demonstrated gangway.