Communication Infrastructure News

On Feb. 10 last year, the cable ship CS Dependable appeared off the coast of the island of Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean atoll that’s home to a discreet U.S. naval base.Over the next month, the ship’s crew covertly laid an underwater fiber-optic cable to the military base, an operation code-named “Big Wave,” according to four people with direct knowledge of the mission, as well as a Reuters analysis of satellite imagery and ship tracking data.The new super-fast internet link to Diego Garcia, which has not previously been reported, will boost U.S. military readiness in the Indian Ocean, a region where China has expanded its naval influence over the last decade.The CS Dependable is owned by SubCom…

Singapore based shipping company Pacific International Lines (PIL) is installing satellite communication, or VSAT, on its entire fleet as part of its digitalization efforts to enhance seafarer wellbeing and improve productivity on board its ships. Communications technology group Singtel said it is one of the partners providing PIL with communications and cybersecurity solutions for 33 vessels in PIL’s fleet.“As a progressive company, PIL is constantly looking for ways to achieve business excellence and optimize operational efficiency.

ClassNK released Guidelines for Remote Surveys Ver. 2.0, including a class notation requirement for the ship with advance preparation for remote surveys.ClassNK has been working on the advancement of surveys using digital technology in line with its R&D roadmap and Digital Grand Design 2030, and published Guidelines for Remote Surveys. Incorporating outcomes of investigation and examination for providing the standards in the application of remote surveys to ensure reliability equivalent to conventional witness surveys with transparency…

It just might. And, you’ve got options.The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) carriage requirements apply to all passenger ships regardless of gross tons or year of build, and to all cargo ships 3000 gross tons or larger built after 2002. A simplified VDR (S-VDR) is allowed on older ships built before 2002. The performance standard was updated in 2014. That said; a full type-approved VDR is not a requirement for inland vessels under 3,000 GT. Nevertheless, a good case to be made for installing a (less costly) data recording device on such vessels, ideally with remote access and reporting as part of an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to monitor the vessel and its installed equipment.

It just might. And, you’ve got options.The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) carriage requirements apply to all passenger ships regardless of gross tons or year of build, and to all cargo ships 3000 gross tons or larger built after 2002. A simplified VDR (S-VDR) is allowed on older ships built before 2002. The performance standard was updated in 2014. That said; a full type-approved VDR is not a requirement for inland vessels under 3,000 GT. Nevertheless, a good case to be made for installing a (less costly) data recording device on such vessels, ideally with remote access and reporting as part of an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to monitor the vessel and its installed equipment.

Wallem Group is introducing collaborative inboxes to its agency business line, in a move designed to enhance responsiveness in communications by overcoming the limitations of conventional end-to-end email. The rethink on how communication takes place between Wallem’s agents and its counterparties is part of a broader digital transformation championed by CEO Frank Coles aimed at streamlining interactions with customers and improving transparency through the intelligent use of technology.Wallem is modernizing the communication infrastructure by deploying a collaborative platform…

Smith Maritime recently hauled a barge load of equipment on behalf of CAT5 Resources to help rebuild cellular communication infrastructure in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.   Smith Maritime’s barge Marilyn Monroe was loaded at its terminal in Amelia, La. with vehicles, housing, bulk fuel, food and most importantly, self-powered cellular communication towers to reestablish communication on the island.     Marilyn Monroe was towed by the tug Elsbeth 2, powered by fully mechanical Mitsubishi engines supplied by distributor Laborde Products and rated 1,675 HP at 1,600 RPM each.

AzerNews says that Turkmenistan publicized its plans on creating international transit transport corridors within the framework of the 96th meeting of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee, ongoing from May 11 to 20, 2016. The heads of the railway and maritime agencies of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran and Georgia recently held a five-sided meeting at the National Tourist Zone "Avaza" on the Caspian Sea coast. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan set a plan on developing projects on organization of inter-regional transport and transit corridors along the lines of East-West and South-North, which is aimed at accessing the Asian, European and Middle Eastern markets.

The Danish-led e-navigation project, EfficienSea2, got one step closer to being launched when a core element of the project – Maritime Cloud – was debated by a group of international maritime organisations and companies. The purpose of the project EfficienSea2 is to develop and implement e-navigation and, thus, up-to-date technology on board ships by introducing and using modern communication, navigation and administrative systems. The concept behind the Maritime Cloud has been developed by the Danish Maritime Authority in connection with previous international projects. By now, it has matured so much that it is ready to receive feedback from relevant international maritime organisations and companies.

CMA CGM Bougainville is billed as the first containership in the world to be equipped with TRAXENS technology, which transforms containers into smart, connected objects. Newly built CMA CGM Bougainville, the 18,000 teu flagship of French container shipping company the CMA CGM Group, has become the first ship in the world using TRAXENS technology, which essentially transforms standard containers into smart, connected objects. Introducing the multimodal transportation system into the Big Data era…

Port authorities in the West African states must act together to explore the full potential of the region's maritime industry to enable them compete in the global economy, Richard Anamoo, Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), has said. According to him, there is the need to enhance trade and investment opportunities for ports infrastructure development considering the growth in traffic and increase in imports. Anamoo said that the management of the ports has been fraught with many challenges including terrorism, pirating, the challenge of trade facilitation, among other and that it will take partnerships to be able to stand the test of time.

Kongsberg Norcontrol IT said it will lead a three-year project called SESAME Straits (Secure, Efficient and Safe maritime traffic Management in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore), which aims to create solutions to significantly improve the safety and efficiency of ship navigation across the world. An important test-bed for IMO’s e-Navigation implementation strategy, the objective of the SESAME Straits Project is to develop and validate a revolutionary concept for a next generation Ship Traffic Management System (STMS) in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS).

Orange Business Services informs it has joined a European Union-sponsored initiative developing a cloud-based ERP platform for the maritime shipping industry. The platform will make it easier to manage ships at sea, improve safety and tighten business operations. This technology is a first of its kind in this space. Orange explains that as part of the EIS (“Exzellenzinitiative Schiffsmanagement”) initiative, Orange Business Services will be the sole provider for ship-to-shore, vessel-based and land-based communication infrastructure.

As maritime markets continue to recover and interest and investment in advanced communication systems picks up steam, Tore Morten Olsen, Head of Maritime Services at Astrium Services, says the focus now shifts now from simple connectivity to providing specific business solutions at sea. While the evolution of communications at sea has had its fair share of starts and stops, largely driven by overriding economic conditions of the day as well as the stale notion that communications costs are an expense versus an investment…

DSME has now established the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards (4G) in the shipyard with technology belonging to SK Telecom, and by this means DSME adopted its Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless communication technology. In the project, DSME first rebuilt the shipyard’s communication infrastructure and Okpo shipyard’s 3G radio wave reception was enhanced, so that the mobile user could access the network even in sealed areas such as the engine room of the vessel. The company also installed more base stations to improve calling during a sea trial. Secondly, DSME developed new applications which can be used on smart phones or tablet PCs.

User interface is the most visible system component when it comes to equipment operation. From the steering wheel and instrument cluster on your vehicle’s dashboard to the most complex industrial control system, the purpose is the same; it must allow human interface into a system. The interface must provide the user a means to control the equipment, provide feedback from the equipment to show operational conditions and alert us when something is wrong. And it should do these things efficiently, be easy to use, and visually and ergonomically pleasing.

The USCG's new Defender Class craft from Safe Boats will be powered exclusively by twin Honda BF225 4-stroke outboards. The Hondas can propel the new 25-ft. (7.6-m) Response Boat - Small, or RB-S as the Coast Guard refers to it through 30-mph winds and 6-ft. seas. The BF225s will provide a top speed of over 45 knots allowing the Safe Boat reaches plane in less than four seconds. Its marine-grade 5086 aluminum hull with integral, sealed air chamber and polyethylene, non-deflatable foam collar make the craft one of the safest boats on the water. The RB-S features an all-welded, self-bailing deck; insulated and heated full cabin; upper spotter windows; port and starboard sliding doors; marine electrical cable; stepped transom; and locking long gun storage.

Implementation of the Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) Demonstration Project in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore is set to begin shortly, following the signing of a $6.86 million grant agreement between the Global Environment Facility (GEF)/World Bank and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). transiting ships, while being also capable of incorporating marine environmental management systems. marine environment protection and the sustainable development and use of the coastal and marine resources of the Straits' littoral States, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. In addition to the $6.86 million assigned to IMO for the regional MEH demonstration project…

The Pilots' Association for the Bay and River Delaware operates one of the few private vessel traffic and information services (VTIS) in the world. The approach to the Delaware Bay consists of three traffic separation schemes (TSS), and an unofficial offshore anchorage. The bottom's natural contours allow vessels with drafts up to 55 ft. to enter the Bay. The dredged channel leading to the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia can handle ships with drafts up to 40 ft. Overall, the navigable channels continue upriver for over 100 miles. The port ranks seventh in the nation in terms of ship arrivals, and is the number one tanker port on the East Coast. Oil refineries, heavy industry, recreational interests, and wildlife sanctuaries share the coastline.

Xantic has announced the signing of an agreement with Faslink Communications. Xantic will contribute satellite airtime and business support to Faslink, which is providing a new generation of communication facilities to banks and financial institutions across the Philippine archipelago. Faslink Communications provides complete end-to-end turn-key solutions to the banking industry. Working in partnership with Xantic, Faslink is now able to offer financial institutions in The Philippines a solution based on Global Area Network (GAN) terminals, with Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) capabilities. This will provide the missing link to banks located in rural areas, where the current communications infrastructure is neither economical nor reliable.