Electrical Engineering News
Damen Acquires I.M.E Group
Damen has announced the acquisition of Southampton-based I.M.E Group Ltd. The acquisition follows close collaboration between the two parties since the opening of Damen Services’ UK Service Hub in 2021. This investment in the UK industry expands the range of services available to clients throughout the UK in their day-to-day operations. With this step, Damen’s UK customers are assured of access to on-site support, mechanical and electrical engineering, docking services, parts supply…
Alewijnse Joins Oceanco Group
Maritime systems integrator Alewijnse has joined the Oceanco Group, a leader in the yacht sector.With this step forward, Alewijnse is entering a new phase following seven years as a portfolio company of Strong Root Capital. During this period the company strengthened and professionalized its operations, which now enables it to accelerate its proven course with greater momentum.Alewijnse brings more than 135 years of experience in electrical engineering and automation, during which it has built on its position as a leading partner across the yachting…
Ampereship Converts Passenger Ship to Fully Electric Propulsion
Ampereship, a shipbuilding company based in Stralsund that specializes in the construction of new electric solar-powered ships and ferries for inland waters, has completed its first conversion of a diesel-powered passenger ship to fully electric propulsion. The converted passenger ship “Uetliberg” recently completed its first emission-free voyage on Lake Zurich in Switzerland. Built in 1999 and now classified as an electric ship, the 42.4-meter-long vessel is currently the largest battery-powered passenger ship in Switzerland.
Challenges to Lifecycle Design with Greener Solutions
Ships are designed to operate for decades—often up to 50 years or more. While routine repairs and sometimes major retrofits are expected throughout that lifespan, these vessels must be engineered from the start with longevity in mind. As the maritime industry pushes for greener, low-emission technologies, new challenges arise in lifecycle design—especially when balancing sustainability with long-term reliability. As a result, designers are faced with obstacles that are not present…
MJR Power & Automation Secures Contract With Stena Line
MJR Power & Automation, a leading UK-based marine electrical engineering specialist, has been awarded a contract by Stena Line to upgrade the Power Management Systems (PMS) on board the Stena Scotia and Stena Hibernia vessels.The contract includes the design, engineering, supply, and commissioning of power management systems that will enhance the operational efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the two vessels.Upgrades for this project will involve the integration of modern digital control technology…
Marine News' Naval Architecture Roundtable
Marine News spoke to leaders at three North American naval architecture and marine engineering firms about some of the latest trends impacting their business today. Morgan Fanberg, CEO, Glosten; Robert Ekse, President, Elliott Bay Design Group; and Wade Carson, CEO, Vard Marine, weigh in on topics ranging from digitalization and decarbonization to the naval architect talent pool.How are advances in digitalization and AI impacting the naval architecture business today? How will…
ABS Wavesight Appoints New COO
ABS Wavesight has appointed software and digital technology leader Staci Satterwhite to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO), a new role for the maritime software as a service (SaaS) affiliate of ABS.Most recently serving as the COO of Khoros, a Vista private equity portfolio company, Satterwhite has extensive and diverse global experience helping develop and transform software and digital solutions.As COO, Satterwhite is responsible for leading product development and further enhancing customer interactions and experiences.
Change of Command at USCG R&D Center
The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) held a Change of Command on June 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Fort Trumbull in New London. Current RDC Commanding Officer, Capt. Dan Keane, was relieved by Capt. Michael Chien. Capt. Keane held command since May 1, 2020. He retires with 24 years of service.During Capt. Keane’s tenure, the command operated seamlessly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research continued and the approved portfolio was executed. Highlights included the command celebrating its 50th anniversary…
bound4blue Appoints Boletis External Advisor
bound4blue announced the appointment of Elias Boletis as an external advisor to the company.Boletis has a Doctorate in Applied Sciences from the University of Brussels and holds a MSc in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Athens (Greece) and a MSc in Turbomachinery and Fluid Dynamics from the Von Karman Institute (Brussels, Belgium). He has also been recognized with several industry awards and accolades for his contributions to the field such as integration of new technologies…
Offshore Vessel Charging System Passes Harbor Tests
UK-based marine electrical engineering company MJR Power and Automation on Tuesday announced the successful harbor trials of its platform-mounted automated offshore power and charging system.The offshore power and charging system is designed to convert energy delivered directly from the offshore wind farm, and enable all heavy hybrid and electric crew transfer vessels and other offshore support vessels to connect and get powered by electricity generated directly by offshore wind…
WAGO Promotes Cox to New Automation Position
WAGO, a developer of connection systems in electrical engineering and electronics, announced it has named Jesse Cox as Director of Automation Sales Engineering and Development.Cox has been with WAGO for 10 years, most recently as the Senior Sales and Application Engineer for Linux and IIoT.In his new role, he will continue to serve WAGO’s sales force as they focus on a highly technical, solutions-based approach to automation that centers around people and process.“I want to continue the upward trajectory of growth and innovation to expand the most capable automation team in the market…
ZF Marine Names Fienco Commercial Thrusters Manager
ZF Marine has appointed Walter Fienco to the position of Product Line Manager, Commercial Thrusters. In this role, Walter will lead ZF Marine’s commercial thruster product sales across the North and Central American and Caribbean markets.Fienco brings nearly 15 years of commercial thruster product experience to the position. During his tenure at ZF Marine, he managed/led the company’s engineering, technical support and aftermarket teams to successfully commission customer vessels. He was previously Senior Engineer, Customer Applications, for ZF Marine. He holds a B.S.
Kongsberg to Deliver Simulator Suite for South Metropolitan TAFE
Kongsberg Digital (KDI) announced it has won a tender to supply a range of maritime simulator solutions for the South Metropolitan TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institute in Fremantle, Western Australia. Funded through the Department of Training and Workforce Development, this contract was awarded to KDI through an open and competitive process.The new contract commits KDI to the delivery, installation and commissioning of a complete maritime simulator suite of hardware and software technology, replacing SM TAFE’s current maritime simulator systems.
Stradling Joins Furuno USA
Marine electronics company Furuno USA announced it recently hired Andrew Stradling as technical applications manager.Based in Seattle, Stradling will work alongside longtime Furuno USA representatives Alan Terry and Jon Closson for the overall promotion and sales of Furuno commercial fishery solutions in the Americas. In addition to managing Furuno’s specialty hydroacoustics product line, Stradling will contribute to the training of Furuno personnel, Furuno USA dealer personnel, and customers alike.
Green Ferry Refit is First of Its Kind in Canada
A newly retrofitted electric ferry is the first in Canada to be powered completely by a zero-emissions, lithium-ion power and propulsion system containing no diesel fuel components.In 2018, PortsToronto issued a request for expression of interest (RFEOI) to reduce air and noise emissions from its 96-foot Marilyn Bell I, used for transporting passengers, vehicles and supplies the very short distance (90-second trips) to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Island.St. Catharines-based marine electrical engineering firm Canal Marine & Industrial Inc.
Canada’s First All-electric, Zero-emissions Ferry Enters Service
A newly retrofitted electric ferry is the first in Canada to enter service powered by a zero-emissions, lithium-ion power and propulsion system containing no diesel fuel components.PortsToronto’s 96-foot Marilyn Bell I, used for transporting passengers, vehicles and supplies the short distance to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Island, returned to operations last week following a 20-week conversion, and is now sailing 100% emissions free.St. Catharines-based marine electrical engineering firm Canal Marine & Industrial Inc.
Proserv Acquires Dron & Dickson's Abu Dhabi Business
Oil and gas services company Proserv Controls, has acquired the Middle Eastern operations of Dron & Dickson Electromechanical Contracting (DDEC) LLC, for an undisclosed fee. DDEC is a UK-based specialist in the supply, assembly, and maintenance of hazardous areas and industrial electrical equipment."The deal reinforces and expands the breadth of offering and capability that Proserv delivers in the Middle East and North Africa, where it has multiple sites including in Abu Dhabi…
Biden to Nominate Carlos del Toro for SECNAV
U.S. President Joe Biden intends to nominate Carlos del Toro for secretary of the Navy, the White House announced on Friday.Del Toro is a retired U.S. Navy commander with nearly 40 years’ experience in national security and naval operations, budgeting and acquisition.Over the course of a 22-year career in the U.S. Navy, Del Toro held a series of critical appointments, including Senior Executive Assistant to the Director for Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense…
Harvey Gulf Names EVP Business Development
Harvey Gulf, an offshore vessel owner focused on the Gulf of Mexico region, said Wednesday it had appointed Jon Holvik, formerly with Siemens Energy, as Executive Vice President, Business Development.Holvik has been brought on board to enhance the marketing capabilities of Harvey Gulf International Marine, Harvey Gulf Subsea Solutions, Harvey Fuel, and its Offshore Windfarm Vessel Support division. He is of Norwegian descent and spent most of his career with Kongsberg Maritime. He started with Kongsberg in his homeland of Norway, eventually moving to the United States in 1998.
Shipbuilding: HII Celebrates 154 Apprentice School Grads
Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) hosted commencement exercises on Saturday, April 17, 2021, for 154 graduates of the company’s Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding. Due to the COVID-19 environment, and in an effort to keep all employees, staff, graduates and their guests safe, the ceremony was held outdoors at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton.“A drive-in movie-style graduation is likely not what you expected, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that the past year in many ways isn’t what any of us expected…
Kongsberg Maritime to Equip Norwegian Training Vessel
Kongsberg Maritime (KM) said it will supply an equipment and simulation package for the maritime training vessel MS Gann, helping both to reduce the vessel’s emissions and enhance the education offered on board. The contract, worth 41.2 million NOK, is part of an extensive refit and will include KONGSBERG’s SAVe Energy battery system and hybrid shaft generators, in addition to power management, propulsion control and monitoring systems.MS Gann – which ran passenger services along…
Brunswick Appoints Arbuckle as Marine Autonomy Technology Lead
Brunswick Corporation, in a move to to build on its ACES (Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification & Shared Access) strategy to develop solutions to further improve boater experiences, named Jason Arbuckle to a newly formed role of Marine Autonomy Technology Lead. Arbuckle joined Mercury Marine in 1997 and has since advanced through the company, working to lead some of the company’s many award-winning innovative technology solutions. Throughout his career, Arbuckle has been instrumental…
Tech Files: Breathing New Life into Old Port Cranes
Retrofits of new features into existing ports cranes can produce operational efficiency and safety gains not included on cranes delivered 15-20 years ago, including Ship-to-Shore (STS) Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) and Rail Mounted Gantry (RMG) types. Here, Dmitry Lapin, Knowledge and Development Manager, Port Services, Konecranes, looks at retrofit options proven in applications internationally.Sooner or later, the owners of ports cargo handling equipment are going to face a number of technical and organizational questions about the future.