Automation System News

The Tallink Silja Line passenger ship Silja Symphony will undergo regular technical maintenance from January 7 to 28, 2026.Silja Symphony will visit the BLRT shipyard in Klaipėda, Lithuania for a scheduled dry-docking. The ship's integrated automation system and navigation systems will be upgraded, and regular maintenance will be performed on her underwater parts.“At Tallink, we prioritize innovations that reduce fuel consumption and increase the efficiency of our ships because this directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Timo Alho's doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa, Finland, introduces a pioneering power management strategy that prevents ship blackouts.In Alho's management principle, the vessel's electrical equipment is capable of independently supporting the ship's grid without centralized commands. This makes the vessel's power systems significantly more fault-tolerant than before.The maritime industry's green transition is driving vessels towards modern direct current (DC) networks, but the control strategies for them have lagged behind.

Vard Electro, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri-owned Vard Group, has signed an agreement with the German shipyard Lloyd Werft for the delivery of complete automation and power management systems to a Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) currently being converted into a research vessel.The scope of supply covers the removal of the vessel’s existing automation systems, replacing it with Vard Electro’s advanced SeaQ Integrated Automation System (IAS) and SeaQ Power Management System (PMS)…

German navigation systems specialist Anschütz has officially unveiled ‘Anschütz Autonomics’, a new line of solutions aimed at enabling autonomous navigation and mission automation for commercial, defense and security vessels.The launch follows a series of successful demonstrations with partners in Germany and France, as well as trials with the German Navy.The system is built on certified and operationally proven components, providing safe and precise autonomous navigation and…

Oceanbird launched its first rigid wing sail, the Wing 560, on August 25, 2025. Aside from being a new landmark in Landskrona, Southern Sweden, it will be an important site for crew training, customers visits and optimization of the automation system. The Oceanbird company was formed 3.5 years ago as a joint venture between Alfa Laval and Wallenius Lines. Since then, the team has developed a rigid, 40-meter high and 14-meter-wide wing sail. The core is made of high strength steel…

As the global shipping industry accelerates toward decarbonization, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has unveiled its first methanol bunkering simulator at its Maritime Training Center in Kochi, India. Developed in partnership with Wärtsilä, the new platform is designed to give seafarers hands-on training for safely handling methanol, one of the leading alternative fuels driving maritime’s low-carbon transition.The simulator marks a significant step in BSM’s broader strategy to future-proof crew training for a new generation of low- and zero-emission vessels.

Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to supply integrated technology packages for nine new Dynamic Positioning (DP) Shuttle Tankers, being built for Greek shipowner Tsakos Group.The vessels will be a bare-boat charter by Brazilian energy logistics company Transpetro, supporting offshore operations in Brazil’s pre-salt oil fields.Construction of the vessels will take place at SHI’s shipyard in South Korea, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027.

Kongsberg Maritime today announced the launch of its new Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS). This advanced system lets shipowners and operators effectively monitor and control vessel emissions, ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and optimizing fuel efficiency.Kongsberg CEMS uses innovative sensor technology to provide accurate and continuous measurement of key greenhouse gases, including CO₂, CH₄, SOx, NOx, and CO. Unlike traditional calculation methods based on fuel consumption monitoring…

Wärtsilä will supply the electric propulsion system for three fully battery-electric, high-speed ferries that will operate in the San Francisco Bay area, the first full-electric high-speed ferries to operate and be built in the USA. The order with Wärtsilä has been placed by the shipyard All American Marine (AAM), on behalf of San Francisco Bay Ferry, California’s largest public ferry operator. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2025.The three zero-emission vessels will be the first delivered as a part of San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program…

Wärtsilä’s 4-stroke engine-based solution for ammonia fuel now delivers higher than ever levels of efficiency and performance.Following its introduction to the commercial marine sector in November 2023, the ammonia solution has undergone extensive testing to optimize its performance parameters. The latest results, assessed against the FuelEU Maritime reference and measured on both a Well-to-Wake and Tank-to-Wake basis, show that a 95 percent ammonia energy share now achieves up to a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to equivalent diesel engines.

VARD signed a contract with Taiwan's Dong Fang Offshore for the design and construction of one Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel, with option(s). The vessel is of VARD 3 39 design, and the value of the contract is $125 million. This is the third vessel VARD is building for DFO, with the first two being Commissioning Service Operations Vessels, contracted in May 2024.DFO aspires to be the supplier of choice to deliver international standard cable installation and repair solutions in the wind and telecoms industries…

ABB has secured a contract with the West Sea Shipyard located in Viana do Castelo, Portugal to equip six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) of the Portuguese Navy with an integrated power, propulsion, and automation system designed to ensure optimal efficiency. The vessels are planned to be delivered between 2027 – 2031.The new vessels will be equipped with the Azipod® propulsion system, Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform, and the distributed control system ABB Ability™ System 800xA®.

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to supply an integrated package of equipment for Bibby Marine’s new electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV), the world’s first fully-electric offshore vessel.Kongsberg Maritime will provide full-electric rim-drive propulsion with azimuth and tunnel thrusters. The scope of supply also includes the automation system, full electrical control system, Dynamic Positioning, and thruster control.The new eCSOV will feature the largest ever battery installation on an offshore vessel…

The ocean sector finds itself in a critical moment, especially as the demand to decarbonize grows. Though long-haul is still the biggest emitter in the maritime industry, the need to decarbonize smaller commercial and coastal vessels, including cruise ships, passenger ferries, platform supply vessels (PSVs), offshore service vessels (OSVs), and research ships, is on the rise. Particularly, passenger ferries are pushing into uncharted waters, increasingly being scrutinized by municipal, state, and federal regulators for their environmental impact.

Muddy Water Dredging’s new cutter suction dredge (CSD) Vaneta Marie “represents the future of dredging technology”, according to Bill Wetta, senior vice president, and chief technology officer of DSC Dredge, the Reserve, La. based company that built the dredge, and one of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News' 'Great Ships of 2024.'Christened during a ceremony in New Orleans earlier this year, Vaneta Marie is a fully customized Marlin Class dredge that measures 371 ft. long, making…

Senesco Marine has launched its sixth Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), the WindServe Spartan, which will put to service for United States’ growing offshore wind industry.WindServe Marine, a sister company to the Rhode Island shipbuilder Senesco Marine - both part of the Reinauer Group - will operate the CTV.“This state-of-the-art vessel is set to begin its important work off the coast, showcasing our commitment to excellence and innovation. A big shoutout to our incredible team for their hard work and dedication…

Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) has secured a contract to develop and deliver the complete energy design, an integrated automation system and its future-oriented bridge system for a Field Support Vessel, being built by Green Yard Kleven for Romania’s OMV Petrom.NES will supply frequency converters and electric motors for the propulsion system, battery system, transformers and its proprietary Quadro Master switchboard – a DC power distribution switchboard that enables the use of variable speed generators.The Quadro Master is supported by NES’ Odin’s Eye…

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has secured a contract to provide design and equipment to Cochin Shipyard in India for two Service Operation Vessels (SOVs), one of VARD 4 07 and one of VARD 4 19 design, being built for North Star.Vard has previously delivered 12 designs to the Cochin Shipyard. The first hybrid electric SOV to be delivered by Cochin Shipyard is of VARD 4 07 design and is tailored to meet North Star’s specific requirements.The focus has been to develop a competitive…

Senesco Marine recently held a launch and christening ceremony for WindServe Marine's new Jones-Act-compliant crew transfer vessel (CTV), WindServe Frontier.WindServe Marine, a sister company to the North Kingstown, R.I. shipbuilder—both part of the Reinauer Group—will operate the CTV to serve the emerging offshore wind industry on the U.S. East Coast.The BMT-designed aluminum catamaran is 29 meters long with a 9-meter beam and 1.7-meter draft. It is equipped with Volvo Penta D13 main engines (515kW at 2,300 RPM) and a Volvo Penta IPS 900 propulsion system.

Cleveland, Ohio based welding and cutting equipment company Lincoln Electric earlier this month announced it has acquired automation system integration and technology firm Inrotech A/S, headquartered in Odense, Denmark. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Privately held Inrotech specializes in automated welding systems that are differentiated by proprietary adaptive intelligence software and computer vision which guides and optimizes the welding process without the need for programming or the use of CAD files.

The first of 12 new hybrid high-speed ferries designed by Incat Crowther for Italian ferry operator Liberty Lines have completed sea trials and will soon begin servicing Liberty Lines’ routes between Sicily and nearby islands.Named Vittorio Morace and HSC Cristina M, the new 38-metre hybrid propulsion vessels can operate at speeds of up to 30 knots when carrying a full load, with a sprint speed of 33 knots.They were built by Astilleros Armon in Spain and are equipped with an integrated…

Matson Navigation Company’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containerships will feature a comprehensive range of integrated technologies from Kongsberg Maritime to optimize energy use and reduce emissions.The Norwegian company announced Tuesday that it will supply hybrid electrical systems, controlled and operated by its Energy Management System, for a series of three 3,600 TEU vessels that are being built by Philly Shipyard for the U.S.-based shipowner. The Kongsberg Maritime scope of supply includes a Shaft Generator System…

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…