Digital News

As the maritime world continues to turn to digital technologies to help maintain business operations amid the coronavirus pandemic, Kongsberg Maritime is planning to digital platforms to ramp up remote delivery of targeted training.The Norwegian tech company says it is now offering basic Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) courses fully remotely from start to finish, including the practical part of the training.Using virtual machines, students can engage in practical exercises with a remote K-Pos trainer, in addition to completing theory and assessment modules online.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have launched the Maritime Digitalization Playbook (MDP), to support maritime companies in accelerating their digitalization plans as the economy reboots and enters a new normal post-COVID-19.Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health, Dr. Lam Pin Min, said, “This pandemic has accelerated digitalization, regardless whether you are a multinational company or a local SME.

The widescale impact of COVID-19 had not hit when DNV GL Maritime Advisory (DNV GL) was contracted to conduct a cyber security assessment and penetration test for an offshore asset. Before long, however, travel had become a risk, and the parties were forced to evaluate alternative means of performing the related surveys, which resulted in the completion of DNV GL’s first remote cyber security test.Cyber security assessments and penetration testing involve the examination of an asset’s systems to find weaknesses in the network’s perimeter.

Wärtsilä Voyage won a contract to update the ECDIS on-board 50 tankers. More than 400 ships already has the capability to share routes through their ECDIS. With focus on increasing tanker safety, the STM BALT SAFE project is signing up 50 tankers that frequently sail in the Baltic Sea, with Wärtsilä winning the contract. Cajsa Jersler Fransson, Ship Testbed Manager, says, “Wärtsilä Voyage has the know-how, the installed base and the dedication to a more connected future. With installations happening this year…

Technology comany ABB said it has expedited the rollout of and access to its remote service tools and digital solutions across critical industry as companies around the world find new ways to maintain operations throughout the coronavirus crisis.“During the COVID-19 crisis, governments and companies are having to make difficult choices, balancing people’s safety with economic livelihood. ABB is committed to supporting both: protect people, while helping businesses to stay operational during these challenging times,” said Peter Terwiesch, President Industrial Automation, ABB.

Fischer Panda UK has introduced the new FP Control, offering enhanced data monitoring capabilities across its generator range.Standardizing the platform with a central system, the advanced control solution will be available with all the latest Fischer Panda gensets.The FP Control, which allows various set-ups as well as the connection to a CAN BUS system, monitors the generator and provides up-to-date operational information via a digital display.As supplied with the newly-launched variable speed hybrid DC VS Series generators…

Technology group Wärtsilä and classification society DNV GL say they will work together to contribute to the marine industry’s ongoing digital transformation. In particular, the two companies aim to to further explore the potential use of digital technologies, collaborative data sharing and standardization to enhance existing products and services, and to develop new ones.Among focus areas will be collaboration on digital technologies and big data in classification and the requirements for their use.

Maersk Tankers is launching a new standalone digital business to reduce CO2 emissions and optimize vessels’ earnings across the tramp shippig industry.Soren C. Meyer is moving from Chief Asset Officer to Chief Executive Officer of the new digital venture.The as-yet-unnamed business will develop and sell the software product SimBunker to vessel owners and managers in the tramp shipping industry to help them use their vessels more efficiently. This will reduce CO2 emissions, supporting the shipping industry’s ongoing efforts towards more sustainable development, and increase earnings.SimBunker optimizes vessels’ bunker spend, which can account for up to 60% of the total voyage costs, by determining optimal solutions for factors such as speed, bunker purchase and route.

British satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat plc and the provider of electric, digital and connected solutions for the marine industry ABB Marine & Ports have signed a master supply agreement aimed at tackling an obstacle identified by ship owners which has stopped them using IoT (Internet of Things) technology.A recent 2018 Inmarsat survey of 125 owners found 51% identifying an inability to get data off ships in real-time as their obstacle to IoT adoption.The agreement recognises ABB as a certified application provider to work with Fleet Data, the IoT platform developed by Inmarsat and Danelec Marine which collects information from onboard sensors…

The data analytics duo Yxney Maritime and Grieg Connect are partnering with the Norwegian NOx Fund to develop a data-driven digital solution for automated NOx emissions reporting. Solstad Offshore and ferry operator Fjord1 will participate in the pilot phase of the project.The Norwegian NOx Fund records NOx emissions from all vessels operating in Norwegian waters and collects a fee for emissions per vessel. Calculating and reporting emissions has historically been a manual chore for shipowners…

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.

German software provider Hanseaticsoft said Copenhagen-based Maersk Supply Service has opted to implement its Cloud Fleet Manager ship management system for vessels and shore-bases to manage crews and handle all crew-related tasks.Kevin Bro Beier, Head of Crewing, Maersk Supply Service said, “We selected Cloud Fleet Manager from Hanseaticsoft as our new crew management system. It combines a standard platform with comprehensive functionality with a high degree of usability, enabling us to deploy new features at a faster pace.

In an Industry first, the provider of classification services to the offshore industry ABS partnered with Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) in developing the first two new build Drilling Rigs with Smart Notations.One of the rigs, which was delivered earlier this year for work in offshore Mexico, is already online with its performance being monitored from Singapore.In line with issuing the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units, Keppel O&M is recognized as the first shipyard group to integrate smart functions into rigs.Keppel O&M is a global leader in offshore rig design, construction and repair, ship repair and conversion…