Electronic Notes

Pemex, Norcontrol IT Sign Contract

Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) and Norcontrol IT entered into a three-year maintenance contract that covers the offshore VTMIS system at the Bay of Campeche oilfield located in the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula. The Bay of Campeche is the largest oilfield in Mexico and the world's largest offshore oil development project. The VTMIS system installed by Norcontrol IT consists of two control centers and seven radar sites, all of which are covered by the maintenance contract. A large capacity, flexible and reliable VTMIS system is required at the Bay of Campeche for several reasons. The coverage area contains between 200-300 vessels per day, all of which have to be monitored to protect the pipelines: Especially important as the bay is only 40-50 m deep in most areas. PEMEX also needs the ability to track supply and personnel vessels in the field, which are generally fast moving targets.

Sperry Nav Systems for LASCO Tankers

Northrop Grumman received orders to supply a complete package of electronic navigation equipment for ten new tankers being built for the Latvian Shipping Company (LASCO). The orders were awarded to Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine business unit. The 51,800-dwt, double-hull tankers, which will be equipped to carry either oil products or chemicals, are being built for LASCO’s Crown Navigation subsidiary at the 3. Maj shipyard in Rijeka, Croatia. Deliveries are scheduled for 2006-2008. Each ship is being fitted with a complete integrated bridge system (IBS), featuring Sperry Marine’s multi-station Voyage Management System, which incorporates an electronic chart display and information system. Other major components of the Sperry Marine IBS include radars, autopilot, steering system, gyrocompasses, Doppler speed log, voyage data recorder, automatic identification system, differential global positioning system and depth sounder.

Louis Cruise Lines Taps Geolink GSM

Geolink announced the signature and integration of Oceancell GSM onboard network contract with Louis Cruise Lines, the largest cruise enterprise in Mediterranean and one of the key players worldwide. Louis Cruise Lines owning and operating internationally in total ten cruise ships will rely on the Oceancell service to provide its passengers with direct GSM mobile services onboard its ferries.

Kongsberg Automation for Ferry Newbuilds

The Kongsberg Maritime DataChief C20 Integrated Automation System (IAS) has been selected for the Tallink III cruise ferry newbuild at Aker Finnyards. This is the third vessel from Aker Finnyards for owner Estonian Tallink Group, that uses DataChief C20. At a length of 696 ft. (212 m) and a beam of 95 ft. (29 m) the 48,300 gt Tallink III will be one of the largest cruise rerries in the Baltic Sea, with capacity for 2,800 passengers and 1,130 lane meters. The ship is powered by four diesel engines with a total power output of 26,240 kW and a service speed of 22 knots. The DataChief C20 is Kongsberg Maritime's most successful automation system to date, according to the company. As the fifth generation automation system from Kongsberg Maritime it offers all the benefits of ongoing development including simplified installation and easy integration with existing systems.