Bus Technology News

The German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz was awarded a retrofit contract of steering gear control systems for two luxury cruise ships chartered by Noble Caledonia Ltd. The cruise ships will be retrofitted with the Anschütz NautoSteer AS advanced steering gear control system. Salén Ship Management, as the technical manager of the cruise ships Island Sky and Hebridean Sky, has decided to replace the manual steering gear control systems with a redundant NautoSteer AS steering gear control system from Raytheon Anschütz.

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has announced the launch of its new Gloria reachstacker specifically designed for empty and semi-laden container handling. With the ability to handle all types of containers, flat racks and single loads of up to 10 tonnes, the DRG100 is the latest addition to Kalmar's highly successful Gloria range of reachstackers. Available in two models, the DRG100-S6 stacks 6 containers high in the first row and theDRG100-S8, which has the capacity to stack containers 8 high in the second row, an option that only Kalmar is currently offering to the market. Commenting on the launch, Stefan Johansson, Director, Sales & Marketing…

Northrop Grumman Corporation has supplied the final batch of Platform Management System (PMS) hardware for the Royal Navy's Astute-class series' boat 5 submarine. Under a performance partnering arrangement, Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit supplied the PMS to BAE Systems Maritime–Submarines for installation on Astute Boat 5, Anson, at its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, U.K. The PMS equipment controls and monitors the submarine's platform machinery and onboard systems. The PMS is expected to reduce life cycle costs and minimize program risk for the U.K. Ministry of Defence.

Germany’s Raytheon Anschütz won a contract to supply NautoSteer Advanced Steering Gear Control Systems to two prototype cruise ships being built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard for Carnival Corporation. The new ships will operate under their Princess Cruises brand, and at 141,000 gt and with a capacity of 3,600 passengers, the ships will be the flagships in the Princess fleet and the largest ships ever built at Fincantieri. The delivery of the first ship – Royal Princess – is planned for spring 2013, the second is expected one year later.

AC drives manufacturer Vacon will deliver 81 AC drives for 3 new fishing trawlers being built for Aker Seafoods. The new fishing vessels will be built at the STX shipyard in Braila, Romania. They will be further outfitted and commissioned at STX Brattvaag, Norway. The design of the new 70-metre-long STX FV01 trawlers will replace that of the older vessels, improving fuel efficiency and capacity for Aker Seafoods. The efficient operation of the trawls and equipment relies on 27 advanced winch systems controlled by Vacon's AC drives. The winch control systems are based on Vacon's new modular engineered common DC bus technology. The first delivery of AC drives for the trawlers took place in June 2012.

The German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz has been awarded the contract for the supply of advanced Integrated Navigations Systems of their Synapsis Bridge Control series to new Heavy Lift Carriers for Dutch company Jumbo Shipping. The demanding new vessels are being built at Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia. Jumbo has ordered two Heavy Lift Carriers at Brodosplit with delivery dates in 2013, and holds an option for a third newbuild. The 152 meters long vessels…

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been chosen to provide the Platform Management System (PMS) for the next Royal Navy Astute-Class submarine, HMS Audacious. BAE Systems has selected Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine business unit as the preferred bidder to supply the PMS for the fourth Astute-Class submarine. The PMS will control and monitor platform machinery and on-board systems. Based on Sperry Marine’s innovative approach to configuring commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software to meet exacting military and commercial applications, the PMS for Astute Boat 4 will reduce costs and minimise programme risk. Supported by Sperry Marine’s programme management expertise…

The Volvo Penta D9-500 is a robust 9-litre diesel engine with new engine electronics and an innovative turbo. With its 500 hp, compact design and high torque even at low engine speeds it is perfectly adapted for patrol boats, fast fishing boats and other demanding marine applications where fast acceleration, high speed and good comfort are deciding factors. The D9-500 is an inline-six marine diesel engine with a cylinder volume of 9.4 litres. The engine will be introduced at the SMM marine trade fair in Hamburg when it opens on 28 September 2004. The new engine is type-approved by leading classification societies and replaces Volvo Penta’s 10-litre engine. The engines are intended for use in high speed coastal applications.