Software Development News

Michiel de Vliegher, Damen: "Choose the right software for every maritime project"Since the beginning of his career, Michiel de Vliegher has been involved with data. One moment, he’s working on making ships more sustainable, and the next, he’s focused on improving shipbuilding processes. Since April of this year, he has been the Director of Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen. Together, we explore his experience with digitalisation and how he is making advancements in this area at his impressive shipyard. We also delve into the digital future.

Latest advances in digital technologies and faster, cheaper connectivity walk hand-in-hand as vessel owners of all sizes aim to cut fuel consumption, cut emissions and increase efficiencies. AST is aiming to do both, offering connectivity plus a suite of productivity solutions courtesy of its new Integrated Remote Asset Management System (IRAMS) solution, as CEO Andrew Peters explains.The maritime industry is often lamented as slow on the uptake of new technologies, but many of these boats and ships were born and raised in an analog society, designed to last up to 50 years.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has adopted NavFleet as a fleet monitoring system platform provided by Navtor A.S., and witnessed by Norwegian Embassy in Japan, “K” Line signed a MoU with Navtor regarding the development of “K” Line 24/7/365 global fleet monitoring and support system through the use and functional expansion of NavFleet on August 25.Navtor is Norway-based company developing the maritime DX business that is well known as a provider of electronic navigational charts…

Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently caught up with Karl Lander, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Outreach at maritime tech startup Armach Robotics, to hear the latest progress on its unique, small platform, intelligence-driven hull cleaning solution.Companies like Plymouth, MA, headquartered Armach Robotics (Armach) are justifiably convinced that cleaning hulls is set for wider adoption in the coming years, as the principle of coating hulls with substances designed to be noxious to marine life becomes increasingly problematic.

Gnostech, an applied engineering company specializing in cybersecurity, software development, C4ISR systems and GPS, announced it has hired James “Jamie” Schlosser as Vice President of Innovation and Research at its San Diego office.Schlosser brings over 44 years of experience in Naval Information Warfare operations and acquisition both on active duty and as a civil servant. He recently retired from Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) after more than 23 years of service.

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated announced today that it has acquired ChartWorld International Limited and affiliates. ChartWorld, headquartered in Cyprus, with additional locations in Hamburg, Singapore, Vancouver and Tokyo, is a provider of digital marine navigation hardware and software provided through a subscription-based model. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.Commercial maritime subscribers to ChartWorld’s software as a service (SaaS) receive free type-approved Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), a lifetime warranty and global 24/7 support.

Greensea Systems hired  Laura Krahn as Director of Programs, a newly created position.Prior to joining Greensea, Krahn worked in Software Development, IT Management, and as a Senior Consultant. As Director of Programs, Krahn will lead Greensea’s team of Program Managers and will ultimately be responsible for the overall success of each program and product.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ChartWorld has announced the suspension of ECDIS, chart, and navigation data services to Russian-owned and managed vessels. Current vessels will be provided with chart updates to allow them to reach the next port safely but have been asked to find new suppliers for all future voyages. The group's other companies, including navigation and ENC software development company SevenCs, have also suspended all projects and software deliveries to Russian companies and vessels.Steven Schootbrugge…

Online valuation and data provider VesselsValue announced the appointment of Dr. Alexander Adamou to its board of directors.As an experienced mathematician and modeler in the shipping industry, Adamou will oversee the scientific research that underpins the company’s products in his new role as chief scientist. Adamou first joined VesselsValue in 2010, when he led the development of the company’s first asset valuation model.With a first class degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Imperial College London…

NAVTOR has opened a new office in Gdansk, Poland, dedicated to accelerating development of cloud-based and AI solutions and adding to its existing software development network in Houston, St Petersburg, and Egersund, Norway.NAVTOR CEO Tor Svanes sees the move as a continuation of the firm’s evolution, as it creates a far-reaching product portfolio built on the foundations of its e-Navigation and smart shipping expertise.“It’s always been our vision to take the enhanced efficiency…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted its Integrated Software Quality Management (ISQM) notation to OOS Serooskerke one of the world’s largest semi-submersible, heavy-lift crane platforms.The ABS Integrated Software Quality Management (ISQM) notation recognizes OOS' risk-based approach to critical software control safety systems.ABS said that key operational software on the ABS-classed OOS Serooskerke, a 138m-long vessel with hotel capacity for 750 people, has undergone…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said Friday that its Technical Solutions division was one of 11 companies selected to provide development, technical, management and engineering services for Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) department. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task order contract includes a three-year base term with a two-year extension option. HII will compete for task orders under the contract. The combined value of all potential task orders across the base and option years is $250 million.“This award reaffirms HII’s commitment to the Navy and NIWC’s ISR mission and the need for innovative and cost-effective solutions…

Lloyd's Register (LR) said it has reached a deal to acquire Navico Group’s C-MAP commercial marine business, a provider of commercial marine cartography and digital publications, shore-side and shipside voyage optimization, cloud-based fleet management and fleet analytics software. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition, which includes C-MAP’s charts and publications, route planning and fleet management, weather services, professional services, and marine hydrographic services, will be integrated with into Lloyd's Register's i4 Insight performance platform.

Combat systems were recently installed and tested aboard the second of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence’s SIGMA 10514 Perusak Kawal Rudal (PKR) guided missile frigates, the KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai (332).The PKR frigates are constructed via a modular process operating simultaneously at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) in the Netherlands and the PT PAL shipyard in Indonesia.This method, which allows the Damen Shipyards Group to build vessels anywhere in the world, enables…

Red Funnel's Redjet 7 will serve as a bench test for an innovative vessel docking project between a maritime data company and university student game developers.Efficient vessel docking which melds traditional maritime know-how and cutting edge gaming tech is the focus of a project between Azurtane, a Southampton maritime energy efficiency firm, and the School of Media Arts and Technology at Solent University.The project seeks to leverage the skills of student game developers in a high precision kinematics (HPK)…

At CMRE, it’s not just about the science. It’s about building trust and confidence in resilient systems. An interview with Dr. Catherine Warner, Director, NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation, La Spezia, ItalyTell us a little about yourself and CMRE. What does CMRE do, and how do you see your mission evolving?I came here from the Pentagon, where I was the science advisor for the director of operational test and evaluation. My experience has been working with operators on systems that they’re getting ready to field.

DSME, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, NAPA and AVL announced a strategic cooperation agreement to develop digital ships and related strategic solutions. The agreement combines vast experience in naval architecture, shipbuilding, engines, big data and software development, and will cover all aspects of creating comprehensive digital twins: from the acquisition and processing of quality engine room data, ship performance and meteorological data to the training, simulation and…

Boston-based developer of autonomous vessel technology, Sea Machines Robotics has hired Don Black as vice president of sales and marketing, reporting to Founder and CEO Michael G. Johnson.Effective immediately, this new position gives Black responsibility for the company’s global sales of Sea Machines autonomous-command and remote-control products for commercial workboats.He also has special oversight for supporting the development of the company’s advanced perception and navigation assistance technology for commercial ships and vessels, currently being trialed aboard an A.P. Moller-Maersk container ship. Black resides in Portsmouth…

Seagull Maritime announced that they have acquired a majority of the shares in Tero Marine. Tero Marine, headquartered in Bergen, Norway, has developed fleet management software for the shipping industry for more than three decades. The company’s flagship, TM Master, is recognized as one of the leading brands in the business. Today, TM Master is a crucial tool for shipowners all over the world, not only as an instrument for planned maintenance (and asset management), but also as a business intelligence resource.Tero Marine is growing fast and has currently more than 55 employees…

From the standpoint of vehicle propulsion physics, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is little different from your personal ski boat or a tanker. It shares the Vessel-Propulsor-Drive system model, which allows a Propulsor to convert Drive energy into thrust for the purpose of moving a Vessel. The basic principles of thrust equilibrium and motion are common to all three, as are the translation of rotational energy into axial thrust by the central element of the system – the…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Fulcrum IT Services, LLC, an information technology and government consulting company headquartered in Centerville, Va. The planned acquisition is expected to close in February.Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Fulcrum expands HII’s capabilities in enhanced situational awareness and predictive threat analytics through Fulcrum’s advanced engineering, cyber security, software development, big data engineering, and intelligence and special operations experience. Fulcrum will join HII’s Technical Solutions division.

The Dutch Topsector Energie-TKI Wind op Zee recently awarded a subsidy to Dutch wind energy technology developer Ampyx Power and the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR).The two organizations are undertaking a joint project aimed at optimizing the design of an aircraft that will be used to generate wind energy at high altitudes. The grant marks a new phase in the development of a scalable Airborne Wind Energy System (AWES) capable of generating several megawatts of electricity.Thanks to its relatively small size, such a system can be implemented in locations that are currently unsuitable for wind energy development due to high costs or unfavourable wind conditions. Examples include sites located far inland or, conversely, far out at sea.

MAN Energy Solutions has selected Nova Scotia-based simulation and training software developer, Modest Tree, to develop a virtual reality training solution for the engines onboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships under construction at Halifax Shipyard.The virtual reality training solution, the first of its kind in the marine sector, will train the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy to operate and maintain the ship’s engines.Each Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship will be propelled by two MAN Energy Solutions 4.5 megawatt diesel/electric propulsion engines.MAN Energy Solutions is a subcontractor of GE Canada, the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship Integrated Propulsion System Integrator.