Technology Needs News

NOAA Fisheries announced proposed changes to vessel speed regulations to further protect North Atlantic right whales from death and serious injuries resulting from collisions — part of a multifaceted approach to stabilize and recover this endangered population. The changes would expand the current mandatory seasonal speed restrictions of 10 knots or less in designated areas of the ocean and extend to most vessels measuring 35 to 65 feet in length.In addition, the agency is releasing a draft “roadmap” for public comment about on-demand…

Tanker vessels may face challenges calling California when new emissions regulations take effect, according to a new DNV report.The report, commissioned by Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), indicates tanker vessels and terminals in California could struggle to meet the 2020 amendments to California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation. DNV's technology assessment looked at the feasibility of the current technologies developed around emissions…

The Nippon Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the offshore technology development consortium DeepStar to establish a joint research and development program focused on decarbonization in offshore oil and gas, with a focus on renewable energy and the environment.The initial program budget is up to $10 million through 2026, and the overall plan is to develop technologies for commercialization.“I am very pleased that we have been able to conclude this new memorandum of understanding,” said Mr. Sasakawa.

Marine minerals are coming under sharp focus offshore Norway. Analysts suggest it could be a $20 billion annual revenue industry by 2050, which is why many are taking an interest and developing the technology to make it happen. Marine mineral mining has been something of a slow burner in the wider marine world. It has some clear challenges, not least location and depth of these potential resources, but also concerns around its environmental impact.Yet it now appears to be coming into a distinctly sharp focus…

Hydrogen or battery technologies? Strict regulations force shipowners to consider alternative energy sourcesThere are more than 60,000 ships in the world, which engines emit almost 2.5% of the world's greenhouse gases. The automotive industry has made rapid progress towards electrification and there is more and more talk of hydrogen solutions for trains, at the same time the transition to non-fossil fuels has been slower in the shipping industry.Energy for moving ships can originate from a wide variety of sources. Ships have been sailing powered by wind for millenniums.

Industry stakeholders at PortPIC stressed the importance of more innovation, collaboration and aligned initiatives to shape sustainable solutions for in-water cleaning.This was the main message from the inaugural In-Port Inspection & Cleaning Conference (PortPIC) held last week, organized by Jotun and DNV GL.In his opening address, Geir Axel Oftedahl, business development director, Jotun Marine Coatings raised the issue of biofouling and emphasized, “There’s an increasing focus…

The end of 2018 provides an excellent opportunity to highlight some of the measures that have been taken by the maritime industry over the past year to develop a better understanding of autonomous shipping. A drive towards autonomous shipping has been embraced by many major players such as Rolls Royce and Wärtsilä, and this has led to numerous new strategies, visions, and projects that are pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. It’s no longer a matter of whether technology can achieve this next step…

Britain is reviewing its reliance on satellite-based technology for critical infrastructure including the Global Positioning System (GPS) as the threat of jamming attacks and disruptions grows, a government report said on Tuesday. Emergency services, transport, communications and financial networks are among key sectors which depend on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS. Such technology needs accurate and reliable position and timing signals. Experts say the problem with GNSS is their weak signals…

DSME and Kongsberg Maritime have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for a new LNG FSRU regasification control system. As part of the delivery scope for a vessel currently under construction at the Okpo shipyard in South Korea, DSME will develop a High Fidelity Dynamic Simulator for the regasification plant. The JDA, which was signed on 29th November 2016, enables DSME to utilise Kongsberg Maritime’s Dynamic Process Simulator ‘K-Spice’ and the ‘K-Chief’ automation and control system for the joint development of the vessel’s regasification control system. Both parties have extensive experience in the field of LNG vessel control systems. DSME is fast approaching delivery of 100 LNG ships, many of them operating with Kongsberg Maritime’s LNG control system on board.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published a new edition of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide, shipping industry guidance on best practice for safe navigation, which is used by seafarers and training institutes worldwide. The fifth edition has been comprehensively revised by an expert working group nominated by ICS’s member national shipowners’ associations, and replaces the previous edition published in 2007. The new edition has been updated to address the 2010 amendments…

Business is so tough for oilfield giants Schlumberger NV and Halliburton Co that they have come up with a new sales pitch for crude producers halting work in the worst downturn in years. The moves by the world's No. 1 and No. 2 oil services companies show how they are scrambling to book sales of new technologies to customers short of cash after a 60 percent slide in crude to $45 a barrel. In some cases, they are willing to take on the role of traditional lenders, like banks, which have grown reluctant to lend since the price drop that began last summer, or act like producers by taking what are essentially stakes in wells. When its second-quarter net profit tumbled by more than half a billion dollars to just $54 million…

USA’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is testing a drone that can hibernate on the ocean floor for years at a time before being launched to the surface and into the air at the push of a button. The new drones, being developed by the DARPA, are part of a new focus by the US military in developing and improving technology for emerging threats. According to DARPA Director Arati Prabhakar, the Agency is trying to approach military technology needs with a new perspective, after having focused primarily on assets for ground wars in the past 14 years. The Upward Falling Payloads (UFP) program will therefore be one of several other research projects DARPA will focus on as a means of revolutionizing the US Military’s maritime strategy.

As technology needs penetrate the growing offshore sector, Harvey Gulf will depend on Advanced Logistics’ software to support its expanding fleet deployments. When offshore heavyweight Harvey Gulf International Marine deployed Advanced Logistics’ marine management system, SAMM, and preventative maintenance module, Preventer, on its fleet of marine transportation vessels, it signaled a firm commitment from one of the fastest growing – and highly regarded – U.S.-flag marine operators to ramp up its IT profile. Louisiana-based Advanced Logistics LLC, a provider of offshore marine and logistics management software, caters largely to the oil & gas sectors.

Effective October 1, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) will implement changes to its Technology & Innovation Headquarters and Global Business Planning & Operations Headquarters. Topping the list of changes is the establishment of a new "Global Business Innovation Department" integrating the functions of the two headquarters. The organizational revamp is aimed at strengthening the business competitiveness of the MHI Group by reinforcing the intelligence functions and through enhancing support to business expansion and risk management.

Wärtsilä Corporation inform that Kari Hietanen, Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation, has been appointed President of the European Engine Power Plants Association (EUGINE). This is a newly established association of European manufacturers of engine power plants. Wärtsilä explains that there are 14 founding corporate members in the association, which acts as the voice of the industry in regulatory and policy matters relating to energy. The objective of EUGINE is to accelerate the acceptance of engine power plant technology as an essential and value adding energy source in Europe. EUGINE aims to ensure that engine power plants are considered a viable and competitive solution for providing flexible energy, and that such flexibility is recognized and rewarded in the energy market.

Aker Solutions ASA and Statoil ASA have cancelled a contract for delivery of a semi-submersible rig capable of year-round well-intervention services on the Norwegian continental shelf. The companies in April 2012 agreed Aker Solutions would build the Category B (Cat B) rig and use it to provide Statoil with a range of well-intervention and drilling services for an initial eight years, starting in 2015. The technology development needed to build the rig has since proven to be considerably more demanding than initially anticipated and the parties on June 24 mutually agreed to terminate the contract with immediate effect. "Aker Solutions and Statoil have together concluded that the project can't be realized within the framework of the contract…

Aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans last November, 1,500 miles from land, 38 researchers from Sea Education Association (SEA) studied a Brobdingnagian swath of Pacific Ocean that has become the temporary resting spot for thousands of tons of plastic. Commonly called the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” the area has attracted significant media attention in the last decade but a surprising dearth of scientific attention. Contrary to popular opinion, the “Patch” is not a continuous field of debris, is not visible from space, nor is it an “island of trash.”  But it’s there.

PMFG, Inc. (Parent of Peerless Mfg. Co.) Notice of Award Valued at $13.7 Million to Supply Air Moisture Separation and Filtration Systems to U.S. PMFG, Inc. (Nasdaq:PMFG) has announced it was awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to provide the air inlet moisture separation/filtration systems to replace the existing systems on the Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class. The five-year, multiple-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity firm-fixed-price contract could have a potential value of approximately $13.7 million, if all options are exercised. This order value will be added incrementally to the Company's backlog as purchase orders are released under the contract.

As Director of Innovation, Dr. Larry Schuette is one of three portfolio directors at the Office of Naval Research (ONR). His counterparts are the director of research (discovery and invention) and director of transition. The Office of Innovation promotes, fosters, and develops innovative science, technology, processes and policies that support the Department of the Navy. “I manage the ‘leap ahead’ portfolio here at the Office of Naval Research,” he says. Schuette leads both technological innovation in as well as the business of innovation.

The Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the House Committee on Science and Technology conducted a hearing on Research and Technology Needs for Oil Recovery and Effective Cleanup of Oil Spills. Committee Chair Bart Gordon (D-) made an opening statement. Subcommittee Chair Brian Baird (D-) made an opening statement. Mr. Douglas Helton, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), testified that NOAA is providing scientific information regarding oil spill trajectory and conducting natural resource damage assessments. Captain Anthony Lloyd, US Coast Guard, testified concerning the National Incident Command’s efforts to respond to the ongoing oil spill. Ms.

Elcometer, Inc. announced its recent hiring of Lynn M. Hagan as the Technical Development and Support Manager for the United States and Canada. Hagan will be responsible for managing and directing activities related to technical product support, as well as overseeing key software initiatives and the exploration and design of new program concepts for Elcometer, Inc. Additionally, she will work to identify sources of information and opportunities for institutional and individualized learning.

General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), won a contract for Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) Machinery and Systems support by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD). The five-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a potential value of $73.3 million if all options are exercised. Through the contract, General Dynamics will support HM&E machinery and systems on Navy vessels and select land-based sites, as well as other federal agency and federally contracted vessels. These services include prototype engineering,  design, development, testing, performance specifications and data analysis, system fault tree and safety analysis, computer programming and software engineering.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Regional Technology Development Corp. (RTDC) of Cape Cod announced the signing of a technology transfer and entrepreneurial services agreement designed to accelerate the transfer of WHOI technology innovations to the marketplace. The alliance is an outsourcing arrangement intended to immediately and cost-effectively enhance licensing capabilities at WHOI and the commercialization of WHOI innovations and expertise. The partnership with the RTDC is the latest initiative from the WHOI Office for Applied Oceanography (OAO), established in 2007 to encourage innovation in technology, serve as a hub for WHOI licensing and commercialization efforts, and protect the institution’s intellectual property.