Technology Transition News

As maritime faces transcendent changes in terms of decarbonization and automation, Juha Kytölä, Director of R&D and Engineering, Wärtsilä, discusses how this Finnish maritime technology powerhouse is investing in the technologies and facilities that will drive the maritime industry for the coming generation, including insights on its unique arrangement for a future fuel engine testbed onboard Wasaline’s MS Aurora Botnia.To start off, can you give a scope of the Wärtsilä R&D investment?We invest heavily in research and development, about 4.1% of our annual turnover.

According to the latest edition of DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050, the shipping industry will find it challenging to secure enough supply of carbon-neutral fuels.To meet the anticipated demand of 17 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) annually by 2030, the maritime sector would need to access 30-40% of the projected worldwide carbon-neutral fuel supply.As the shipping industry will compete for these fuels with aviation and road transportation, as well as other industries, their production needs to significantly accelerate if the industry’s emission-reduction goals are to be met.

On 26 June, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the World Maritime University (WMU) launched a flagship report entitled, Transport 2040 - Impact of Technology on Seafarers - The Future of Work, during the International Chamber of Shipping’s Shaping the Future of Shipping event in Manila, Philippines. The research results provide an in-depth exploration of a number of maritime issues related to future ship technologies, including automation, and seeks to qualify…

Cobham Satcom, a provider of radio and satellite communications solutions to the maritime and land mobile sectors, has unveiled Sea Tel 1500, a 1.5-meter dual-band, multi-orbit VSAT antenna solution.Available in single Ku- or Ka-band, or as a ‘two antennas in one’ dual Ku-Ka-band configuration, the Sea Tel 1500 enables vessels to seamlessly switch from Ku- to Ka-band in a simple click. In a world of communication technology transition marked by the emergence of new satellite constellations…

The Department of the Navy recognized more than 50 acquisition professionals for exceptional efforts in the acquisition field during a Pentagon ceremony Nov. 17. Hosted by Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) Sean Stackley, the 2016 Acquisition Excellence Awards celebrated individuals and teams for upholding key tenets of acquisition including competition, affordability, technical expertise, innovative techniques and professional acumen. "Today, we recognize those who have distinguished themselves amongst the tens of thousands who are equally committed to ensuring that our Navy and Marine Corps is the most capable fighting force in the world," said Stackley. Undersecretary of the Navy, Dr.

Thordon Bearings has developed a bespoke modeling tool capable of calculating the amount of operational oil prevented from leaking into the world’s oceans with each installation of a seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing. To be launched officially on April 22 to coincide with Earth Day 2016, the world’s largest environmental movement, now in its 46th year, the Oil Savings Calculator shows that more than 60 million liters of oil pollution has been saved to date. “In our opinion the only acceptable propeller shaft stern tube oil leakage is zero.” said Terry McGowan, President & CEO Thordon Bearings. “Thanks to those vessels that have already installed seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearings…

The DHS Maritime Security Center (MSC), led by the Stevens Institute of Technology, announces a competitive research opportunity to address challenges in maritime cyber security. This effort invites qualified researchers to propose projects that will provide DHS stakeholders with innovative research that addresses current challenges in maritime cyber security as outlined in the RFP. MSC plans to fund one award of up to two years and up to $350,000. Any questions should be directed to [email protected] no later than April 19, 2016. development of the current and future maritime security workforce. More information on MSC may be found on www.stevens.edu/msc. In November 2015, MSC co-hosted the Maritime Risk Symposium in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center.

On November 15, 2012 the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association Board of Directors appointed Rick Hepburn, PE, CAPT, USN (Ret) as the second President of ASSA. Rick will work to achieve the ASSA vision to strengthen the capability within the United States for domestically producing the critical parts and equipment necessary for shipbuilding. Under Rick’s leadership, ASSA will continue to work closely with the US Congress, Navy, Coast Guard, Shipyards and other important maritime stakeholders. Rick will continue as President of Hepburn and Sons LLC, an engineering consulting firm offering support to Government and DoD Contractors in the fields of naval engineering, technology transition, system engineering, quality assessment, and ship design support.

Mikros Systems Corporation, announced that it was recently awarded two new U.S. Navy contracts. The contracts cover follow-on work based on Mikros' AIRchitect-EMC wireless network design tool, "interference-aware" network design software which allows the Navy to optimize shipboard network design while avoiding interference with critical radar and communications systems. AIRchitect-EMC was developed by Mikros and subcontractor Intelli-Check - Mobilisa, (Port Townsend, WA) for the Navy under a SBIR Phase II development contract to study Radar Wireless Spectral Efficiency (RWSE). The first program is a subcontract to the Classified Wireless Networks for Embedded Forces program…

Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $46,022,062 contract for the development, demonstration and technology transition of a miniaturized communications terminal and several phased array antennas compatible with the Navy's Cooperative Engagement Capability System. Work will be performed in Kauai, Hawaii and Arlington, Va., and is expected to be completed by September 2004. Contract funds in the amount of $300,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under the Sensor Integration and Communication Technologies broad agency announcement. There were 23 proposals solicited, and 32 offers were received.