Control System Software News

With a background in subsea and offshore, coming up with new ideas is the norm’ for UK-based engineering consultancy STL (Submarine Technology Limited), writes Elaine Maslin.The last few years have been no different. The company has been focusing on ship-based robotics, including robotic arms. These aren’t just any robotic arms – they’re motion compensated systems for deploying/recovering people and robots to and from fixed or moving objects. That could be wind technicians to…

With a background in subsea and offshore, coming up with new ideas is the norm for UK-based engineering consultancy STL (Submarine Technology Limited), writes Elaine Maslin.The last few years have been no different. The company has been focusing on ship-based robotics, including robotic arms. These aren’t just any robotic arms – they’re motion-compensated systems for deploying/recovering people and robots to and from fixed or moving objects.That could be wind technicians to an…

In another significant move towards commercial release of the EnergySail, Eco Marine Power (EMP) announced that it has begun collaboration with ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) to confirm design requirements and issues related to sea trials.According to a press release from the renewable energy tech company, the goal is to pave the way to the full commercial production of the EnergySail and thus complete the preparation of technologies required for the release of EMP’s Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy or Aquarius MRE solution.The patented Aquarius MRE is an advanced integrated system of rigid sails, marine-grade solar panels, energy storage modules, charging system and marine computers that will enable ships to tap into renewable energy by harnessing the power provided by the wind and sun.

The provider of ballast water treatment solutions for ship builders Ecochlor announcef the complete harmonization of United States Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval to their International Maritime Organization (IMO) Type Approval for their line of Ecochlor Ballast Water Treatment Systems.During Ecochlor’s USCG Type Approval amendment process, minor updates and improvements were made to aspects such as documentation, available filter models, and control system software, said a press release from the company.Once the USCG Type Approval amendment was complete, Ecochlor worked with DNV GL as the Recognized Organization for the Norwegian Maritime Authority to harmonize all aspects of the USCG approved system with the existing IMO Type Approval.

Vard Holdings Limited (VARD) has announced that through its subsidiary Seaonics, it has acquired ICD Software, a leading provider of automation and control system software for the offshore and marine sectors. Established in 2011 and 51% controlled by VARD, Seaonics delivers winches, cranes and handling equipment to the offshore and maritime sector. The company has developed cranes for critical offshore lifting operations up to 250t, and is one of the market leaders for Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS). Prior to the transaction, Seaonics employed 50 employees in Norway and a subsidiary in Poland. ICD Software is specialized in the development of automation software and control systems, and employs 63, half of which in Norway and the remainder in two subsidiaries in Poland and Estonia.

Clemson University has recently taken the lead for making strides in large-scale wind turbine energy testing and construction, as the organization is in the process of completing their revolutionary new testing facility, the Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI). This multimillion-dollar testing site is capable of performing unprecedented trials on large-scale wind turbines due to the help of HYTORC’s advanced and reliable industrial fasteners, the HYTORC Nut and the HYTORC Washer. The CURI building originally served as a U.S. Navy warehouse used to store nonhazardous materials, and upon completion the facility will become a multimillion-dollar testing site capable of performing unprecedented trials on large-scale wind turbines.

Ship classification society risk and sustainability service provider DNV GL briefed the press today on the future of shipping at an event at the Posidonia exhibition in Greece. Tor Svensen, CEO, DNV GL Maritime, examined the potential and the challenges of shipping’s increasing use of connected systems to improve safety and efficiency. This new paradigm requires a different approach to testing and certification, to ensure safety and reliability while retaining a level competitive playing field. Tor Svensen presented DNV GL’s recently released report: “The Future of Shipping”. The report maps out six pathways to a future for the industry which is safer and more sustainable: safe operations of ships…

DNV GL, a ship and offshore classification society and technical risk service providers, has acquired Marine Cybernetics, a company for third-party testing of computer control systems. The acquisition expands DNV GL’s scope of services in the offshore and maritime industries. Marine Cybernetics was established in 2002 as a spin-off from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Based in Trondheim, Norway, the company introduced the concept of Hardware-In-the Loop-Testing (HIL) to the maritime and offshore industries.

At the SMM 2012 exhibition in Hamburg, Lilaas debuted a family of innovative new marine control devices; innovation leveraging the storied company’s in-house software solutions and packaged in an elegant yet functional design. The marine industry has many with small, innovative family owned companies, and it is no coincidence that more than a few hail from Norway. Lilaas is a leading supplier of control levers and joysticks for the shipping industry, a family-owned Norwegian venture that unveiled two new product series: a new range of electronic levers and an improved joystick.

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) observed live tests of the DDG 1000 Integrated Power System (IPS) at the Land Based Test Site at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station (NSWCCD-SSES) July 22. DDG 1000 will be the first U.S. Navy surface combatant to use electric power for propulsion and ship services. An IPS generates the total ship electric power requirements, then distributes and converts it for all ship loads, including propulsion, combat systems and ship services. The first successful test of the IPS occurred May 11. CNO Adm. Gary Roughead received an overview of the DDG 1000 program from Capt.

Aberdeen, United Kingdom - GL Noble Denton, the global independent technical advisor to the oil and gas industry, has partnered with control system software testing specialist Marine Cybernetics, to improve performance, reliability and planning for all types of offshore vessels. The partnership will see GL Noble Denton's Dynamic Positioning experts offer extensive failure mode effects and criticality analyses (FMECA) services on clients' offshore  vessels - with Marine Cybernetics providing testing and verification of control system software using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing technology.