Board Systems News

Crowley Maritime Corporation has owned and operated a lot of vessels since its founding in 1892. But the latest vessel to join its fleet is unlike any other that has come before it.Crowley’s new harbor tug, eWolf, is unique in that it runs 100% powered by batteries, not diesel engines, meaning it produces zero emissions and nearly no noise. Not only is the vessel the first fully electric tug in the Crowley fleet, but it is also the first of its kind in the United States.Faced with stricter regulations and commercial pressure to prioritize environmental…

Ascenz Marorka, a GTT Group company, has been granted a type approval for cybersecurity for its digital solutions by Bureau Veritas.The type approval highlights the ability of the Ascenz Marorka solutions to meet the cybersecurity challenges of the maritime sector with resilience and reliability. Benefiting from robust protection for its computer systems, encrypting the data used and being able to isolate the networks are some examples of approved functionalities. This approval demonstrates the Ascenz Marorka commitment to helping build a sustainable future…

Damen Naval and project partner NVL Group held a steel cutting ceremony at the Peene shipyard in Wolgast, Germany for the first new multipurpose frigates for the German Navy.“We are proud to be able to start cutting steel entirely on schedule on December 5. We were able to complete the development phase in record time, something that is partly due to the excellent cooperation with BAAINBW, the Navy and the other German authorities,” said Damen Shipyards Group CEO Arnout Damen.

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has enhanced it cyber safety unified requirements (URs) to reflect new survey requirements, industry feedback and applicability.To address the need to enhance the cyber resilience of ships, last year IACS published UR E26 “Cyber Resilience of Ships”, and UR E27, “Cyber Resilience of On-Board Systems and Equipment”, which applied to new ships from January 1, 2024.Since the publication of these requirements, and as experience of cyber security oversight in the maritime sector grows…

During a ceremony organized on July 18, 2023 in Toulon, its home port, the Jacques Chevallier, the first of the four force supply vessels (BRF) of the "Logistics Fleet" program (FlotLog), was received by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) for delivery to the French Navy.Launched in 2019 and built in Saint-Nazaire by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Naval Group, the Jacques Chevallier returned to its home port of Toulon in March 2023 to carry out a sea trial campaign dedicated…

Nakilat, DNV, and a group of yards and system suppliers – ABB, Honeywell, Kongsberg and Wärtsilä + Hudong-Zhonghua – have teamed on a joint development project (JDP) to elevate software reliability and maintenance during operations. The JDP, which was initiated in 2020 by Nakilat, has resulted in the launch of a new DNV Recommended Practice (DNV-RP-0582), published in June 2021.“With one of the largest LNG shipping fleets in the world, we are intimately aware of the importance of Information Technology (IT) integrity in ensuring safe…

Fincantieri, through its subsidiary E-phors, specialized in providing cybersecurity services and products, has recently provided a training course in partnership with the Italian Shipping Academy, aimed at introducing deck officers to the basics of cybersecurity.The three-day training course is part of the Academy’s project – funded by the European Commission “Common Maritime Education Standards in the West Mediterranean” – and  it has also been carried out thanks to the cooperation of Cetena (study center in the maritime field)…

As the shipping industry undergoes major transformation, with operations becomingly increasingly automated, maritime companies need to consider more than just efficiency and safety when it comes to operations. The current global situation has resulted in a growing demand for crew communication, for both work and social purposes, alongside the ongoing need for optimization. All of this causes higher levels of traffic on maritime networks, forcing shipping operators to place an…

Dutch shipbuilding conglomerate Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled a Ballast Water Pre Filtration Barge (BWPF) to assist vessels in complying with the IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention.The new legislation came into force on September 8th 2019 and Damen Green Solutions has prepared a range of products and services to assist its clients in meeting the requirements of the new legislation.The globally operating company with more than 50 shipyards, repair yards, and related companies said in a press note that the BWPF Barge can process up to 4,000 m3 water per hour with a sediment level anything between 50 and 1,500 mg per liter.Filtration is available between 10 and 50 micron, to suit varying sediment sizes.

Marlink has unveiled BridgeLink, a technology agnostic solutions portfolio designed to interconnect on board Operational Technology (OT) within a standardized data structure.BridgeLink addresses compatibility and interfacing challenges by providing an open, technology agnostic platform for unifying on board equipment and sensors with network infrastructure and satellite IP connectivity, so that data from any system can be accessed, collected and shared in a single interface at sea or ashore.Providing access to data from OT such as radar…

Danish shipping company J. Lauritzen has selected Marlink to deploy fully integrated and managed IT services on all Lauritzen Kosan managed gas carriers. The solution will be based on Marlink’s ITLink portfolio, with the KeepUp@Sea platform enabling automation of software and security updates, network and PC health monitoring and remote access for fast issue resolution. Once implemented, Lauritzen Kosan will benefit from a fully standardized ICT setup across its fleet, and have…

BAE Systems has demonstrated for the first time how Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) can be fully integrated with operational Royal Navy warships to extend their reach beyond the horizon and reduce sailors’ exposure to danger.The unmanned Pacific 24 Rigid Inflatable Boat (P24 RIB) is integrated with the combat system of HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate, in a series of waterborne demonstrations in London’s Docklands at DSEI 2019, the international defence and security event.At 7.8 metres long, the P24 RIB has a speed of 38 knots and can operate for up to 45 hours at patrol speed or 100 nautical miles in pursuit mode, while being controlled remotely or operating autonomously.Its integration with an active warship has potential applications across a range of missions…

Nidec ASI - head of the Nidec Industrial Solutions platform belonging to the Nidec Group - leaders in the field of solutions for energy management in the nautical sector, has taken another important step forward in support of more sustainable navigation. The company has developed and installed the innovative Power Management System on the mega yacht Wider 165, optimizing power management on the vessel and distributing it between the staterooms, propulsive system and recharging of batteries.Thanks to the advanced solutions installed by Nidec ASI…

Wight Shipyard Co. (WSC) debuts a hybrid patrol vessel designed  to reduce both fuel costs and engine maintenance.“This ground-breaking project aims to set new standards in high speed, fuel economy and light weight vessels in the sector. Building greener vessels has been an integral focus for some time now so moving into hybrid options is the obvious next step forward,” said Peter Morton, CEO, WSC.The WSC vessel has been designed by naval architect Chartwell Marine, and is the first in the new Chasewell range of pilot and patrol boats…

European spaceflight services company Telespazio and the shipping company Grimaldi Group have recently signed two contracts to strengthen the satellite communications capabilities of the Neapolitan shipping group on its fleet of cargo and passenger ships.Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo and Thales, said in a press release that the first agreement provides for managing on-board communications for RO/RO, RO/RO multi-purpose and PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels in the Grimaldi Fleet that operate between Northern Europe, North and South America, West Africa, and the Mediterranean.Specifically, Telespazio will take care of the design and supply of on-board systems for satellite communications and related broadband services, including backup, on a multi-regional scale.

Voices: Ron Huibers, President and CEO, Volvo Penta of the AmericasVolvo Penta has a reputation for pioneering innovations in marine propulsion. To learn more about what the company has on its drawing boards we talked with Ron Huibers, president and CEO of Volvo Penta of the Americas.Please give us a snapshot of your commercial marine business in North America?Our marine commercial business in the Americas has seen great growth, and it now represents a significant portion of our business, along with our leisure marine and industrial engine segments.

NAPA, a leading maritime software, services and data analysis provider has announced that it has signed an agreement with MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.) to provide performance analysis and reporting for 80 of MOL’s time-chartered bulk carriers with NAPA Fleet Intelligence.NAPA Fleet Intelligence combines NAPA’s naval architectural expertise and proprietary data modelling with open source data and MOL’s own reports to produce industry-leading analytics and actionable insights with zero onboard installation.

i-Tech Services, a Subsea 7 company, has signed a three-year charter agreement with MMA Offshore Limited as it looks to enhance its Life-of-Field (LoF) services and capabilities in the Asia Pacific region. The MMA Pinnacle, which will become the fifth vessel in i-Tech Services’ fleet, is a high specification vessel, designed and built to provide customers with a cost effective solution for offshore inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) and light construction activities. The custom-built, remotely operated vehicle support vessel (ROVSV) is SPS compliant with accommodation for 100 people. It is equipped with a 150 tonne Macgregor Active Heave Compensating crane mounted on a 1,000 sqm deck.

Glomex Marine Antennas USA has enhanced its Internet antenna with a professional model. Its weBBoat 4G PRO features commercial-grade construction and components, including an upgraded router and advanced software, and comes with a five-year warranty.The weBBoat 4G PRO receives 4G/3G and Wi-Fi signals up to 20 miles away, and amplifies and redistributes them throughout the vessel via a hotspot or Ethernet. Dual SIM card slots and 4G diversity wideband antennas combine with a high-performance 3G/4G router to provide simultaneous Internet access for up to 32 devices…

Around 360 cruise vessels are operating on the ocean today, transporting thousands of passengers to both new and established locations across the world. The Cruise Boom relishing the industry in recent years has driven growth and advancement with 93 new vessels now under construction showcasing the latest technology available today. Now, the rising popularity of remote and adventurous routes such as the Polar Regions and UNESCO heritage sights has raised concerns about the impacts on marine environments and coastlines. The stakeholders continue to wait for environmental legislation to be set that will determine the green strategies adopted by different operators. Here, we take a brief look at some of the most promising technology available to the cruise industry today.

Ship owners are now able to treat their unmanaged ballast water or load cleaned ballast water in eight different Northern European ports using Damen’s unique IMO certified InvaSave ballast water management system. In a cooperation between Damen Green Solutions and Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC), this ballast water reception/bunkering service will be available in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Brest, Dunkerque, Vlissingen, Den Helder, Stellendam and Harlingen. Damen’s InvaSave is the world’s first external ballast water treatment unit designed primarily to offer ship owners a port-based ballast water solution. With this cooperation, vessels coming into these eight ports will be able to take advantage of a one-stop-shop for their ballast water treatment requirements.

Fusing its decades of experience within the development of in-house GNSS and inertial technology, Kongsberg has created a cutting-edge integrated solution for DP reference applications. DPS i2 and DPS i4 are fully scalable DP reference solutions that improve operational efficiency and safety for high-precision applications. The new integrated solution has been in operation aboard the OSV Bourbon Arctic in Northern Norway for the past six months. DPS i2 and DPS i4 utilize Kongsberg’s motion gyro compass (MGCTM) and motion reference unit (MRUTM) technology.

The Switch has recruited Ville Parpala as Director, Product Marketing, Marine Solutions, as it targets its ambition of achieving growth of 200 percent in the marine segment across the next five years. The firm, a specialist in the development and supply of advanced drive train solutions, said it will leverage Parpala’s vast experience and contact book, to push its ability to deliver enhanced efficiency, cost savings and environmental performance to the shipping industry worldwide.