Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Communication Technology News

02 Jun 2023

Barge Completes Autonomous Navigation Test in Busy Belgian Waterways

Credit: Martin Giskegjerde

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.

26 May 2023

Cargo Vessel Completes Complex Autonomous Journey Off Coast of Norway

Eidsvaag Pioner vessel  ŠMartin Giskegjerde via Kongsberg Maritime

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…

23 Nov 2022

Cobham Satcom Unveils Ku-Ka Dual Band VSAT Antenna

(Image: Cobham Satcom)

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…

09 Apr 2021

Is Hands-free Bluetooth Communication Right for Your Vessel?

Bluetooth headsets permit hands-free communication and offer high-definition sound and noise cancelling. (Photo: Sena Industrial)

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.

02 Feb 2021

'K' Line Joins Data Sharing Platform

From right: ShipDC President Yasuhiro Ikeda; “K” LINE Vice President, Executive Officer Atsuo Asano; ClassNK President & CEO Hiroaki Sakashita and “K” LINE Associate Director Joichi Sasaki (Photo: ShipDC)

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…

21 Oct 2020

KSS Line Opts for "Smart Ship' Package for Up to 15 Ships

(Photo: KSS Line)

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…

09 Mar 2020

ClassNK Releases CBM Guidelines

Š andrej pol / Adobe Stock

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.

21 Jan 2020

Kongsberg to Test Autonomous Ship Technology

Eidsvaag Pioneer, which will be equipped for remote-operated and autonomous transport as part of the AUTOSHIP project Photo: Kongsberg

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…

04 Oct 2019

ClassNK Releases Remote Survey Guidelines

Logo: ClassNK

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.

16 Aug 2019

S. Korea Plans Autonomous Ship Research Facility

Photo: Kongsberg Digital

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…

29 May 2019

EU to Finance AUTOSHIP

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…

12 Nov 2018

Digital Marine Communications in ‘Fast Attack’ Mode

David Clark Over-the-Head style digital headsets provide outstanding comfort, clear audio and voice transmission clarity for reliable crew communications.

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.

15 Oct 2018

MOL Launches "FOCUS" Project

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…

10 Aug 2018

Maritime Thought Leadership: Koichi Fujiwara, ClassNK

Koichi Fujiwara, Chairman, ClassNK

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…

03 Mar 2018

WinGD, HHI Partner for Digital Techn

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.

02 Aug 2017

IMO to Honor Former Secretary-General Sekimizu

Koji Sekimizu (Photo: IMO)

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.

11 Jul 2017

MOL Methanol Carriers Win Technology Awards

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that a series of three MOL-operated 50,000 DWT methanol carriers — the Taranaki Sun, Manchac Sun, and Cajun Sun - received the "Technology Special Prize" in the Ship of the Year 2016 awards sponsored by The Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE). Every year, the Ship of the Year judges select the made-in-Japan vessels that represent the highest levels of technology, design and social responsibility. The Technology Special Prize goes to the most technologically advanced ships, and only four vessels, including the series of three MOL methanol carriers selected this year, have received this award.

08 Jun 2017

Cobham Comms for Six Newbuild CBO OSVs

CBO Bossa Nova and five other newbuilds will operate with Cobham SATCOM VSAT and Satellite TV (TVRO) antennas in addition to radio communication equipment  (Photo: Cobham Satellite)

Companhia Brasileira de Offshore (CBO) has chosen Cobham SATCOM VSAT and Satellite TV (TVRO) antennas in addition to radio communication equipment for installation on six new Offshore Support Vessels (OSV). CBO’s state-of-the-art new OSVs have been commissioned to fulfil development contracts offshore Brazil and will be entering service during 2017 and 2018. The Cobham SATCOM equipment has been installed and is already supporting operations on the first of the new OSVs, with installation aboard the second vessel scheduled this month.

01 Jun 2017

NYK, DNV GL Present Vessel Data Results

At the Nor-Shipping presentation (from L to R): Hideyuki Ando, Senior General Manager, MTI/NYK Group, Trond Hodne, Sales and Marketing Director, DNV GL - Maritime, Svein Steimler, President and Chief Executive Officer, NYK Group Europe Ltd.

At Nor-Shipping 2017, NYK and DNV GL presented the first results of an ongoing maritime data center pilot project. The data center collects operational data from NYK vessels on DNV GL’s recently launched Veracity industry data platform, for monitoring vessel performance and condition-based maintenance schemes. The collaboration between NYK and DNV GL, supported by engine manufacturer MAN Diesel & Turbo, started in November 2015. Over the past 18 months, four NYK container vessels have been uploading operational data to the platform.

28 Dec 2016

Vessel Automation: Command & Control

The marine industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with many looking to lower transportation costs while demanding the highest environmental and safety standards. Automating vessel operations and systems can significantly improve a vessel owner’s competitive edge in the market, by reducing staffing requirements, improving asset management, maintenance costs and minimizing risk of environmental incidents due to human error. On a ship, there are many parameters that needs to be controlled or monitored including: temperature…

08 Dec 2016

Verifavia Performs Audit for Dynacom

Verifavia, the world’s leading emissions verification company for the transport sector (aviation and shipping), has commenced a ‘pre-verification GAP-Analysis’ audit for Greek-based Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd. (Dynacom). The tanker operator is taking proactive steps to meeting the requirements of the EU’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Regulation (2015/757), which came into force on 1st July 2015. The regulation is the industry’s first step towards cutting CO2 emissions from maritime transport in the European Union (EU). From August 2017, all ship owners and operators operating ships exceeding 5,000 GT within the EU will be required to submit a Monitoring Plan (MP) to verifiers…

30 Nov 2016

MOL Sets up Smart Shipping Office

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced establishment of the Smart Shipping Office (the Office), effective December 1. WhileICT(*1) has rapidly been growing and potential applications at sea and between sea and shore are expanding, the Office will not only contribute to more advanced vessel operation and ship management by combining MOL Group’s expertise and the underlying seed technologies of ICT, but also make shipping services more convenient for customers by adding new value to shipping. In addition, the Office will work to realize one of new technological development project concepts, “Advanced support technologies for safer vessel operation,”(*2) with the ultimate goal of autonomous sailing.

15 Oct 2016

MRV-Ready Approval For DYNAMARINe

DYNAMARINe has announced that its Emissons Monitoring Platform (EMP) has been certified as Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)-ready and in compliance with the EU MRV IT requirements. Verifavia, the world’s leading emissions verification company for the transport sector, has announced that it has fully certified Greek-based maritime information and communication technology (ICT) solutions provider DYNAMARINe’s Emission Monitoring system against the EU Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) regulation requirements. From 2018 onwards, owners and operators of ships exceeding 5,000 GT will be required to monitor, report, and submit their independently verified carbon emissions on all voyages to, from and between EU ports.