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Sperry News

25 Sep 2023

Interview: Dave Lee, Maritime Partners

Dave Lee, vice president of technology and innovation, Maritime Partners (Photo: Maritime Partners)

Dave Lee recently joined Louisiana-based maritime leasing and financing company Maritime Partners as its new vice president of technology and innovation. A well-known figure in the U.S. maritime sector, Lee has previously held leadership positions at ABB, American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) and Jeffboat. His next task: help guide one of the nation’s leading maritime companies through the next chapter of technological advancement.“Right now, every marine company around the globe…

19 Jun 2023

First Methanol-to-fuel-cell Power Chain Demonstrated

(Photo: PowerCell)

As part of the validation of Maritime Partners, LLC’s M/V Hydrogen One inland pushboat, hydrogen fuel cell supplier PowerCell Group and methanol-to-hydrogen technology pioneer e1 Marine in partnership with RIX Industries have conducted a successful string test of their respective technologies for a 200kW propulsion chain. This chain can be multiplied and scaled to a megawatt level.The result of the test proves the viability of a unique concept that takes methanol fuel and converts it to hydrogen onboard ships before using the hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate power cleanly and efficiently.

06 Jun 2023

Sperry Marine to Deliver Navigation Systems for SAL Heavy Lift's New Vessels

Image Credit: Jumbo-Sal Alliance

Sperry Marine has secured the contract to deliver complete navigation systems including its VisionMaster Net bridge, NAVIGAT gyrocompass, and NAVIPILOT 4500N autopilot for four vessels under construction for SAL Heavy Lift at WuHu shipyard, China. Sperry Marine’s VM Net bridge system provides connected navigation and can be supported remotely, reducing the requirement for in-person service calls, the company said.According to Sperry Marine, VM Net is designed for simplified deployment and increased system availability…

06 Sep 2022

Sperry Marine Debuts Self-tuning Autopilot

(Image: Sperry Marine)

Sperry Marine has unveiled NAVIPILOT 4500N, a networked, self-tuning, fully adaptive heading control system. The first in a new series of autopilot systems, NAVIPILOT 4500N is designed to deliver improved course-keeping with reduced fuel consumption and a lower workload on the bridge, the company said.NAVIPILOT 4500N delivers the heading control performance that users expect from Sperry Marine, minimizing unwanted rudder motion and lowering drag, thereby saving fuel and contributing to greater efficiency.

24 Aug 2022

Sperry Launches Digital Navigation, Voyage Planning Service

Image courtesy Sperry Marine

The new Sperry Marine Digital service, powered by NAVTOR, aims to help reduce fuel costs, support regulatory compliance and reduce administrative workload for crew and shore teams. Sperry Marine partnered with NAVTOR to launch Sperry Marine Navigation Charts and Voyage Planning. Designed to optimize vessel safety and efficiency, the service provides an integrated e-navigation solution that reduces administration associated with chart updates and route planning and improves cyber security.Navigation Charts and Voyage Planning is a service on the SperrySphere platform…

10 Aug 2022

Maritime Partners Agrees to Acquire MG Transport

Š dvande / Adobe Stock

Maritime Partners, LLC, through its managed funds, has agreed to acquire M/G Transport Holdings LLC, from Auxo Investment Partners LLC and its affiliates. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and completion of the acquisition is expected in the third quarter of 2022 subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals.Founded in 1968, M/G is a provider of marine transportation services along the West Canal and Lower Mississippi River. Through its fleet of approximately 300 dry cargo barges…

18 Oct 2023

PowerCell Sweden to Provide Fuel Cells for Hydrogen One Towboat

(Image: Maritime Partners)

PowerCell Sweden AB will provide fuel cells to power Hydrogen One, the world’s first methanol-fueled towboat, one of the project partners e1 Marine announced on Wednesday.Hydrogen One is being developed by Maritime Partners LLC, using e1 Marine's methanol-to-hydrogen generator technology. Other project participants include naval architecture firm Elliott Bay Design Group as well as ABB, who will supply electrical power distribution and automation systems. The first-of-its-kind…

12 Apr 2022

Thordon Bearings Wins Order from Maritime Partners

(Image: Thordon Bearings)

Thordon Bearings Reports it has secured a contract to supply a range of water-lubricated and grease-free bearings for installation to several fleet boats under construction at the FMT Shipyard & Repair facility, for workboat owner Maritime Partners.Twelve twin-screw push boats are scheduled to be delivered from the Louisiana shipyard with equipment that includes RiverTough tailshaft bearings, ThorPlas-Blue rudder bearings with Pucker Seals, ThorPlas-Blue steering linkage bushings…

02 Dec 2021

Maritime Partners Acquires J. Russell Flowers

(Photo: Maritime Partners, LLC)

Maritime Partners, LLC, through its managed funds, has acquired from J. Russell Flowers, Inc. and its affiliates, a diversified portfolio of over 1,000 marine vessels operating on bareboat charter. JRF’s fleet includes a variety of towboats, tank barges, hopper barges, and deck barges.With this acquisition, Maritime Partners’ portfolio has grown to approximately 1,600 vessels with an estimated fair market value of $1.2 billion, making the firm the largest lessor of marine equipment in the United States.J. Russell Flowers, Inc.

18 Oct 2023

World's First Methanol-fueled Towboat to Launch in 2023

(Image: Elliott Bay Design Group)

A first of its kind cleaner burning methanol-fueled towboat is set to hit the water in 2023 as the maritime industry continues to develop and implement new technologies for cleaner vessel operations.The Hydrogen One is being developed by owner Maritime Partners in cooperation with naval architecture firm Elliott Bay Design Group and hardware suppliers e1 Marine and ABB.Decarbonizing the towboat sector poses substantial challenges, particularly due to towboats’ inherent size, space and weight limitations.

28 Oct 2021

Thordon Celebrates 110 Years in Business

The CCGS Martha L. Black is fitted with Thordon’s propeller shaft bearings, Water Quality Package and rudder bearings at Heddle Shipyards in dry dock (Photo: Thordno Bearings)

Navies, shipowners, shipyards, and organizations have offered the best of birthday wishes to Canada’s Thomson-Gordon Group, the parent company of water-lubricated polymer bearing pioneer Thordon Bearings, as it celebrates its 110th anniversary this fall.Among several well-wishers, Claude Tremblay, Directorate General Maritime Equipment Program Management National Defence, Royal Canadian Navy, wrote: “Congratulations to Thomson-Gordon Group for 110 years of Canadian innovation and pioneering. We are proud to rely on your top-quality products.

20 Sep 2021

Expect the Unexpected on the Inland Waterways

Among transportation planners, “resilience”, describing the ability to bounce back from adversities, both economic and other, has become a top consideration as we increasingly must “expect the unexpected.” The U.S. waterway system, covering the network of inland rivers and coastwise waterways, has seen a mix of good and not so good. As the 2020-2021 pandemic moves toward winding down, a recovery from the dismal 2020 is underway, but activity on the rivers is uneven. Ken Eriksen…

25 Aug 2021

Sperry Marine Debuts Additional Military Layers on VisionMaster Radar and ECDIS

VisionMaster's Additional Military Layers include a Target Intercept feature which allows the operator to plan and execute intercept manoeuvres between one vessel and another. (Image: Sperry Marine)

Sperry Marine has strengthened its portfolio of military navigation solutions with the release of Additional Military Layers (AML) for its VisionMaster series of Radars and ECDIS.The AMLs have been developed to allow defense and naval users to take advantage of Sperry’s commercial radar systems on demanding military assignments on small and large vessels. The latest enhancement supports the display of AMLs created to support both command and control and provide digital navigation…

02 Jul 2021

China Navigation Signs Fleet-wide Contract for Sperry Marine Connected ECDIS

Sperry Marine received a fleet-wide order for its new SperrySphere Connected ECDIS, with a roll-out to 36 vessels operated by The China Navigation Company (CNCo), a member of the Swire Group. Connected ECDIS is the latest addition to Sperry Marine’s portfolio of smart bridge solutions, connected via the unique SperrySphere platform.China Navigation will upgrade 24 of its bulk carriers and 12 of its containerships with Connected ECDIS, simplifying and securing the transfer of chart data from back of bridge to the regulated navigation systems, Sperry Marine said.According to Sperry Marine, Connected ECDIS supports improved cyber risk management by removing the need to use USB memory devices when transferring electronic chart data.

10 Dec 2020

Sperry Marine, DNV GL Strike Deal on Digitalization

L to R: Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV GL – Maritime and James Collett, Managing Director, Sperry Marine. Photo: Sperry MarineL to R: Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV GL – Maritime and James Collett, Managing Director, Sperry Marine. Photo: Sperry Marine

Sperry Marine and DNV GL signed a strategic agreement to enable vessels to securely share their navigation data for use in DNV GL's digital classification services and obtain real-time class status of the navigation systems.The agreement seeks to improve process efficiency for class surveys covering the core elements of vessel navigation, through co-operation on new digital solutions. It will help to streamline the class survey inspection process by giving DNV GL access to data from the ship’s bridge…

22 Sep 2020

World's Largest LNG-fueled Containership Delivered

(Photo: CMA CGM)

The world's largest containership to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) has officially joined the fleet of French container shipping group CMA CGM, during a digital naming ceremony at CSSC’s shipyard in Shanghai.CMA CGM Group’s new flagship, CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, named after the group's founder, is the lead vessel in a series of nine LNG-powered, 23,000 TEU containerships ordered in 2017.Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM Group’s chairman and CEO, announced in November 2017 that the vessels would be equipped with LNG-powered engines…

31 Aug 2020

C&C Marine Delivers Towboat to Maritime Partners

The new towboat Brooks M. Hamilton is the second in a series of 15 being built by C&C Marine and Repair for Maritime Partners (Photo: C&C Marine and Repair)

Belle Chasse, La. shipyard C&C Marine and Repair said it has delivered the second vessel in a series of 15 towboats it is building for Metairie, La. based Maritime Partners, LLC.The 2,600-horsepower, 84’ x 34’ towboat Brooks M. Hamilton was designed by Entech Design, LLC, based in Kenner, La., with the 3D modeling and production drawings done by C&C Marine and Repair’s in-house engineering department. The design includes two Cummins QSK38-M1 main engines, provided by Cummins Mid-South, that are paired to two Reintjes WAF 665 reduction gears, provided by Karl Senner, LLC.

03 Mar 2020

Radio Holland, Sperry Marine Ink Gyrocompass Distribution Deal

NAVIGAT 100 and NAVIGAT 200 (Photo: Radio Holland)

Radio Holland and Sperry Marine recently signed a Global Gyrocompass Distribution Agreement with respect to the Sperry Marine’s CompassNet Heading Management System, which includes the NAVIGAT 100 and NAVIGAT 200 spinning mass gyros and the NAVIGAT 2500 and NAVIGAT 3500 Fibre-Optic Gyrocompasses.The global agreement enables Radio Holland offices around the world to sell Sperry Marine’s gyro compass systems, and, in addition, a great many Radio Holland offices to install, commission and service the respective equipment.Contract signing at Radio Holland’s HQ in Rotterdam…

18 Feb 2020

Sperry Marine Launches NAVIGAT 2500 and 3500

Photo: Sperry Marine

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine has announced the launch of NAVIGAT 2500 and 3500, its next generation high accuracy, maintenance-free Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) compasses.Suitable for all types of vessels, the NAVIGAT family of compasses provide heading measurement in all kinds of dynamic conditions with compatibility to Sperry Marine CompassNet, the first networked heading management system.NAVIGAT 2500 and NAVIGAT 3500 are based on solid-state technology with no moving parts, offering compact size and low weight.

19 Dec 2019

The Future of Maritime Navigation

Photo: Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine

It is 70 years since the launch of the first radar under the Decca brand and today’s Sperry Marine is marking the anniversary by looking to a future that would have been hard to imagine in 1949 – or even as little as 10 years ago.Yet the changes of the last decade will be eclipsed by the transformation in the decades to come, which will accelerate as the shipping industry embraces greater digitalization and moves towards an era of smart and connected operations.In the course of 70 years…

01 Nov 2019

Polymer Pioneer Receives Engineering's Highest Accolade

George A. (Sandy) Thomson (Photo: Thordon Bearings)

On October 31st, 2019, George A. (Sandy) Thomson, the founder of Thordon Bearings and a pioneer in the development of advanced polymer materials, was presented with the 2019 Elmer A. Sperry Award in recognition of “leading the innovation in water-lubricated propeller shaft bearings” in marine transportation through the use of polymeric compounds.The award was presented to Mr. Thomson at the SNAME Maritime Convention, in Tacoma, USA, by the Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), Mr.

05 Sep 2019

Polymer Pioneer Wins Sperry Award

Thomson onboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Hudson with SeaThigor mechanical face seal installed.

 (Photo: Thordon Bearings)

Thordon Bearings’ founder and polymer materials pioneer George A. (Sandy) Thomson has been awarded the global transportation sector’s most distinguished accolade, the Elmer A. Sperry Award 2019 for “Advancing the Art of Transportation”.Thomson joins a long list of Sperry Award recipients, which was established in 1955, including Donald Douglas, Ferdinand Porsche, Sir Geoffrey De Havilland, Christopher Cockerell, Leonard Hobbs, Perry Pratt, Josef Becker and Malcom McLean.“I am deeply honored and humbled to win this award…

16 Jul 2019

Yang Ming Chooses VisionMaster Net for Newbuilds

Sperry Bridge Team (Photo: Sperry)

Taiwan’s Yang Ming Transport Corp. selected VisionMaster Net from Sperry Marine as the cornerstone of its digital navigation strategy on 10 new containerships it recently ordered.Yang Ming is building a series of 10 2,800 teu feeder vessels at CSBC Shipyard in Kaohsiung, with sea trials on the first ships scheduled for early 2020. VisionMaster Net is a networked bridge solution providing simplified deployment, increased system availability and creating the foundation for big data from the bridge to increase operational efficiency…