Communication Technology News

Kongsberg Discovery and Fugro have signed a new framework agreement that strengthens a decades-long technology partnership between the two companies. The contract, confirmed at Oceanology International in London, positions Kongsberg Discovery as a key supplier of advanced hydroacoustic and positioning technologies across Fugro’s global fleet, including the company’s expanding portfolio of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).The new agreement reinforces Kongsberg Discovery’s position as a preferred technology partner for Fugro…

US Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS) chaired a hearing, entitled “Changes in Maritime Technology: Can the Coast Guard Keep Up?” on Tuesday.The maritime industry is undergoing a rapid period of transformation, including the adoption of autonomous technology and robotics that could transform the sector, as well as threats from drones and cyber-attacks that require increased vigilance.Ezell introduced the hearing saying: “Last February…

Wireless carrier T-Mobile said in June it has been selected by the U.S.

Norway-based technology group Nekkar has entered into an agreement to acquire the majority of the maritime connectivity and digital service provider Globetech.Globetech provides ICT (information and communication technology) infrastructure, connectivity and support services to the global maritime sector.Serving a fleet of 150 vessels, the company offers complete solutions for onboard network infrastructure including hardware, tailored solution architecture and system integration for satellite communications…

ClassNK is one of the world’s leading maritime classification societies with more than 9,200 ships totaling more than 273 million gross tons under class at the end of 2023, and a global service network of more than 120 survey offices. Last month while in Tokyo we had the opportunity to sit with Hiroaki Sakashita, President & CEO, ClassNK, a marine industry veteran for his insights on the trends driving ship classification today and in the future.Hiroaki Sakashita took the helm at ClassNK at one of the most historically significant times in history…

AST Networks, provider of land and maritime communication technology and remote connectivity solutions, announced it has acquired Reygar Ltd, provider of fully integrated performance monitoring and control solutions for crewed and uncrewed vessels.“With the acquisition of Reygar, AST Networks is poised to deliver even greater value to our customers.” said Gregory Darling, Founder and Chairman of AST Networks. “Reygar’s expertise in vessel performance monitoring perfectly complements our existing suite of IoT (IRAMS) and network solutions…

Subrosa Group (SRG) announced it is rolling out a new Maritime Security (MarSec) division, SRG Maritime Security, to deliver security services globally to the commercial shipping and offshore industries, private vessels and superyachts.SRG's CEO, Niall Burns, said, "The establishment of our Maritime Security division is a direct response to the critical need for elite armed protection for large vessels navigating increasingly perilous waters worldwide. Incidents of maritime attacks are alarmingly on the rise…

Kongsberg Maritime said Friday it had completed a live trial of autonomous shipping technology in Bornem, Belgium, demonstrating the company's progress in fully autonomous systems.The test vessel, Zulu 4, an inland waterway barge owned by Blue Line Logistics NV, is equipped for remote-operated and autonomous transport demonstrations for the AUTOSHIP project, which is part of Horizon 2020, an EU research program.As part of the test, Zulu 4 maneuvered and navigated on unrestricted waterways, and it demonstrated berthing and unberthing capability.

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime said Friday it had successfully demonstrated a range of remote and autonomous technologies on a cargo vessel operating off the coast of Norway.The test cruise has been named one of the most complex autonomous journeys at sea so far, Kongsberg Maritime said.The Eidsvaag Pioner is one of the two vessels that are equipped for remote-operated and autonomous transport demonstrations for the AUTOSHIP project, which is part of Horizon 2020, an EU research program.Owned by the Eidsvaag shipping company…

Cobham Satcom, a provider of radio and satellite communications solutions to the maritime and land mobile sectors, has unveiled Sea Tel 1500, a 1.5-meter dual-band, multi-orbit VSAT antenna solution.Available in single Ku- or Ka-band, or as a ‘two antennas in one’ dual Ku-Ka-band configuration, the Sea Tel 1500 enables vessels to seamlessly switch from Ku- to Ka-band in a simple click. In a world of communication technology transition marked by the emergence of new satellite constellations…

How do you handle communication on your vessel? If you are like many others, you probably use handheld two-way marine VHF radios. That, or simply yelling.There are several inherent issues with using handheld radios for marine communication. Having to push a button to talk means that you cannot use that hand for important work activities, like winching a line or turning the wheel. Since you have to wait to push the button, you can waste valuable seconds when a crewmate needs help or your ship is about to ram into the dock.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) and Ship Data Center Co., Ltd. (ShipDC) have agreed to share operation data of all “K” Line fleet equipped with Kawasaki Integrated Maritime Solutions through IoS Open Platform (IoS-OP), the ship IoT data sharing platform promoted by ShipDC.“K” LINE had so far stored operation data collected from several vessels equipped with Kawasaki Integrated Maritime Solutions to IoS-OP, and has now agreed to expand the sharing for all its owned fleet…

Hyundai Global Services (HGS) has signed a contract to deliver its Smart Ship and Satellite Communications package for up to 15 vessels for South Korean shipping company KSS Line.The Smart Ship and Satellite Communications package is a combination of the Integrated Smart Ship (ISS) solution – an IoT platform for ships, developed by HHI Group to support vessel operation and device optimization – supported by Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress and digital solution Fleet Connect. This achievement is a direct result of a collaboration between HGS…

Classifaction society ClassNK released new guidelines that explain the revised rules for using condition based maintenance (CBM) in class surveys to promote the use of CBM technology.Condition based maintenance, a method for monitoring the operating state of equipment, diagnosing the state of said equipment based upon the information obtained from such monitoring, and then performing necessary maintenance and inspections, has been attracting attention in recent years. ClassNK first introduced the concept of the CBM in its class rules in 1994.

Norwegian technology firm Kongsberg announced it will install and test autonomous ship technologies on two vessels in Europe's inland waterways and short sea coastal shipping routes.The AUTOSHIP project will aim to test and further develop key technology linked to fully autonomous navigation systems, intelligent machinery systems, self-diagnostics, prognostics and operation scheduling, as well as communication technology enabling a prominent level of cyber security and integrating the vessels into upgraded e-infrastructure…

Classification Society ClassNK has released “Guidelines for Remote Surveys” in preparation for carrying out remote surveys using ICT (Information and Communication Technology). The guidelines outline requirements to apply to remote surveys for some types of occasional surveys, and from now on ClassNK will implement remote surveys that satisfy the requirements.ClassNK has been working on the advancement of surveys using digital technology in research and development in line with their R&D roadmap developed in 2017.

UIPA, the South Korean Information and Communication Technology Promotion Agency, awarded Kongsberg Digital the contract to supply a fully-featured bridge simulator for a new autonomous ship research facility in Ulsan, South Korea. The Korean government has committed to invest $110 million in the project over the next three years, with a goal of starting operations in 2023. The simulation contract is being delivered through maritime ICT convergence specialists eMARINE Global.The simulator will be used primarily for research and development of navigational equipment and display systems…

While the shipbuilding market has been advantaging Asian lower-cost manufacturing in the last decades, AUTOSHIP will build around two EU industrial market and leading technology providers, such as Rolls Royce and Kongsberg, to create a stronger European cluster able to thrust a market worth Billions of Euros in the next decade, bringing new high-skilled jobs and a safer and greener transport in Europe.AUTOSHIP will build and operate 2 R&A vessels and their needed shore control and operation infrastructure, reaching and going over TRL7.Testing will take place during two pilot demonstration campaigns addressing goods mobility from the Baltic Corridor to a major EU seaport and hinterland…

Among the most important considerations in outfitting any fast attack craft is the critical nature of crew-to-crew communications. With David Clark, MetalCraft has long had that box ‘checked.’There are many obstacles facing boat manufacturers involved in the design and outfitting of patrol interceptor type vessels. This workboat segment is characterized by incessant demands for advanced design and new technology to accommodate the requirements of high performance and increasingly complex mission protocols.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that it has joined forces with Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding and Weathernews to launch the Fleet Optimal Control Unified System (FOCUS), a project that will gather and apply ship operation data to ensure safer, more environmentally friendly ocean transport.With information and communication technology (ICT) such as IoT and Big Data rapidly expanding, and new possibilities opening up for ICT applications aboard vessels, on shore, and in between, the three companies decided to undertake this task as a core project to promote the use and application of ICT.Detailed voyage and engine data on actual voyages will…

Tokyo-based Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, or ClassNK as it is more commonly known, is one of the world's leading classification societies with 9,104 ships representing 250 million gt under register, as of June 2018. We spoke with Koichi Fujiwara, Chairman, ClassNK, earlier this year in Tokyo for his overview of the market today, and the path forward on technological trends.While Koichi Fujiwara, like many of his colleagues, sees challenging times in the maritime market, he does note that conditions are improving…

Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group recently signed, the first agreement of its kind to integrate their advanced digital technologies to provide greater insight and benefit to ship owners from their engine and ship data. This collaboration will provide shipping companies with extensive digital knowledge allowing them to reduce the ship’s operational cost while providing insight on how to operate the ship and its engine more efficiently. Through their combined expertise HHI and WinGD will be able to offer enhanced customer understanding and support, to ensure quick and accurate responses to challenges related to engine and ship operations. WinGD developed the Engine Diagnostic System (EDS) for creating valuable insight from engine and ship data.

The International Maritime Prize for 2016 will be awarded to former Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Koji Sekimizu for his contribution to the work of IMO over many years. The Council unanimously decided to award the Prize to Sekimizu, IMO Secretary-General Emeritus, in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the work and objectives of the organization and the international maritime community as a whole. Sekimizu held a long and distinguished career with the organization, culminating in his four-year stewardship as Secretary-General from 2012 to 2016.