Smart Technologies News

Maritime transport carries close to 90 percent of global trade by volume, and container ports alone handle more than 80 percent of non-bulk merchandise. Today, these ports are undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rising trade flows, rapid advances in technology, and mounting pressure to meet climate targets.Against this backdrop, DNV and Menon Economics have introduced the industry’s first global container port ranking. The LCP report benchmarks 160 ports against 35 indicators grouped into five pillars: enablers…

ABS and Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the international standardization of smart ship and shipyard technologies related to shipbuilding and ship maintenance, repair and overhaul.Through a series of joint workshops and seminars, the organizations will exchange information to strengthen international standardization capabilities and streamline certification procedures for Korean equipment manufacturers. The…

ABS and HD Hyundai Samho signed a memorandum of understanding for the technical collaboration for an AI-based smart shipyard.The agreement establishes a cooperative framework for both organizations to leverage smart technologies such as AI, automation and robotics to identify opportunities for process improvement at HD Hyundai Samho shipyard. ABS will utilize its established Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards in the review process.“Advanced technologies are transforming shipyard operations and opening new avenues for progress.

ABS and HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) have signed a joint development project (JDP) for digital manufacturing-based automation equipment for shipyards.The JDP will focus on leveraging smart technology within HD Hyundai Mipo’s shipyard operations that include artificial intelligence, communication technologies, automation and robotics.ABS will utilize its Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards to help HMD identify opportunities for process improvement focusing on key features such as hyper-connectivity…

Taiwanese shipping firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp has purchased three 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready container ships from Japanese ship leasing company Shoei Kisen Kaisha.The vessels, being built by Imabari Shipbuilding, are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.Yang Ming said the acquisition will strengthen its global service network and reinforce its commitment to providing customers with reliable and sustainable transportation service.To support business growth and maintain core competitiveness…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China in the maritime sector.The MOU renewal was signed by MPA Chief Executive, Mr Teo Eng Dih, andProfessor Shan Hongjun, President of DMU. This renewal builds on the successful collaboration established since 2021, and further strengthens talent development and knowledge exchange between both maritime ecosystems.As part of the MOU…

Digitalizing processes makes shipping more flexible, efficient and eco-friendly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing role of growing importance in these efforts. At the leading international maritime trade fair in Hamburg, the topic will be covered in depth at the AI CENTER, where innovative start-ups will showcase their solutions.Under the heading of “Driving the Maritime Transition”, SMM 2024 will not only focus on the maritime energy transition but also on digital transformation.

U.S.-based classification ABS on Wednesday announced it is expanding its partnership with Singaporean shipbuilding group Seatrium to advance cutting-edge marine and technology projects that target decarbonization and energy transition in the marine and offshore sectors.The newly signed three-year Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) entitled “Accelerating Decarbonization and Energy Transition” is a foundation for further collaboration on a succession of state-of-the-art projects under four broad themes: decarbonization, electrification, new energies and digital transformation, ABS said.

ABS and Singapore-based shipyard Seatrium Limited have achieved the assignment of a structural health monitoring notation for a self-elevating drilling unit (SEDU).ADMARINE 686 is the world’s first SEDU to receive the ABS SMART (SHM) Notation, recognizing its ability to monitor and analyze the condition of a range of key structural elements, supporting physics-based analysis and simulation for a holistic structural health assessment and prediction of drilling and maritime assets.Seatrium…

The Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) Hull Stress Monitoring System has received the ABS SMART Tier 2 approval in principle (AiP) for structural health monitoring (SHM).Recognized with a certificate presentation at Nor-Shipping 2023, the AiP is part of a larger joint development project (JDP) between SHI and ABS that aims to enhance hull safety with smart ship technology.The AiP verifies that the design is feasible for the intended application and, in principle, complies with the ABS requirements that include vessel-specific loads and operations monitoring…

ABS and Seatrium are working together to advance smart digital technologies for shipyards, with a focus on boosting safety, productivity and efficiency.At Singapore Maritime Week, ABS launched detailed requirements to guide the industry in the application of smart technologies at shipyards and recognize Seatrium as the first shipyard group to deploy smart technologies in its operations, in line with the ABS Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards.Seatrium’s Mobile Wearable Personal Device (MWPD) Monitoring System…

When compared to other major river navigation routes around the world, the St. Lawrence River is a favored waterway.It flows from the mouth of Lake Ontario, at an altitude of 250 meters. From its source to the Gulf, the river travels 1,197 kilometers, and is fed by several tributaries including the Ottawa, Richelieu, Saint-François and Saguenay rivers.But the effects of climate change are being felt. The marine industry is adapting. It is currently embarking on a shift towards…

Classification society ABS said it has signed a joint development project (JDP) with South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) aiming to enhance hull safety with smart ship technology for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) using a hull sensor package that will allow for more informed and targeted hull surveys.SHI’s Hull Stress Monitoring System (HSMS) will be developed in accordance with the ABS Smart Functions Guide. The system will be installed on a newbuild…

Ro-ro and ro-pax operator Finnlines has inked a deal to install Yara Marine’s shore power solution on board three vessels to reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and noise in port. The installations are scheduled for completion in 2022.The turnkey solution will allow these vessels to connect to the local power grid when in port, switching to electricity rather than using auxiliary engines running on fuel.Thomas Doepel, COO of Finnlines, said, “Finnlines is committed to providing sustainable and responsible transportation options in the Baltic and North Seas.

The NEcOLEAP project, led by Meyer Turku, is determined to design and build a climate-neutral cruise ship.Meyer Turku was selected to take part in Business Finland’s financing project for leading companies and their partner ecosystems, which aims to help companies to increase their RDI investments in Finland. Meyer’s NEcOLEAP project develops carbon-neutral and sustainable technological solutions for cruise ships through an extensive partnership network. The goal is to secure a billion-order cruise ship order for Turku Shipyard.According to the shipyard…

Classification society ABS said it has completed a joint development project (JDP) with shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and marine services firm Hyundai Global Service (HGS) exploring decarbonization and digitalization in the marine and offshore industries. The project covered simulation and modeling of carbon footprints of a vessel incorporating energy efficiency technologies, liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering analysis and smart technologies.The JDP included detailed simulation and modeling of the carbon footprint of a very large crude carrier (VLCC)…

Collaboration between risk management and insurance sectors will focus on education, training and guidance to reduce maritime cyber riskABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), a subsidiary of ABS focused on safety and risk management, and American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) have joined forces to provide education, training and insurance guidance that address maritime cyber security.As digital transformation in the maritime industry brings both opportunities and new challenges…

Kongsberg Maritime has introduced Health Management to its Vessel Insight portfolio of applications, marking another step toward the Norwegian company's drive to deliver a wide range smart technologies for the maritime sector.With Health Management, ship owners can monitor onboard equipment via one unified interface and predict failures through early detection of abnormal behavior, both for Kongsberg and third-party equipment.Due for launch in August, the new Health Management application will initially support Bergen engines…

DEME Group's newbuild trailing suction hopper dredger Meuse River has completed sea trials in the North Sea and will join the Belgium-based contractor's fleet in June 2020.Built by Royal IHC in the Netherlands, the 7,950-cubic-meter Meuse River has the same design as DEME's existing hopper Scheldt River, which entered service in 2017. The dredgers feature several energy smart technologies developed by DEME and Royal IHC, such as a hybrid dredge pump drive system to reduce the effect of load variations.For automation of the dredging process…

China has built its first research and development test base for autonomous ships in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai next to Macao, state-owned newspaper Economic Daily reported.The test base named Xiangshan Marine Scientific & Technological Port is located in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. It will create an innovation platform for the design, research and testing of unmanned marine systems and intelligent equipment.The base will help develop the industrial chain of unmanned ships and foster research on advanced equipment manufacturing as well as new generation of information technology.Backed by local unicorn Zhuhai Yun Zhou Intelligent Technology…

Wärtsilä and Singapore-based PSA Marine have agreed to collaborate in the co-creation of smart technologies for the marine sector. The focus will be on solutions that are human-centric and deployable. The Letter of Intent was signed on November 14 as part of the events celebrating the anniversary of the opening of the Wärtsilä Acceleration Center in Singapore.Specific collaboration areas envisioned include the use of electric or hybrid technologies that further the use of low-emissions energy and propulsion systems…

The trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Meuse River, built for DEME Group at the Royal IHC shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, is launched.The launch ceremony of the the 7,950m³ vessel took place at IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, the Netherlands."Meuse River has the same innovative design as the award winning IHC-built TSHD Scheldt  River, which joined the DEME fleet in 2017 and since then operated non-stop on waterways and access channels in Europe," said a press release.Meuse River features several energy smart technologies, developed by DEME and IHC, such as a hybrid dredge pump drive system to reduce the effect of load variations.For automation of the dredging process, IHC developed the intelligent IHC ECO automation package, which results in high dredge performance.

South Korean shipyard giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has won a 361.1 billion won ($314.4 million) deal to build three shuttle tankers in Asia.The shipbuilder disclosed in a regulatory filing that Suezmax shuttle tankers will be delivered to the unnamed Asian shipper by July 2022.A shuttle tanker is a ship designed to transport oil from an offshore oil field to a storage tank and is equipped with a variety of offloading equipment.Samsung Heavy said it is the leading player in the global shuttle tanker market, with a 45 percent share, having clinched orders for 64 out of 143 shuttle tankers placed to date."In order to solidify our market dominance…