Docking System News

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Transportation and Construction Engineering, Ltd. (MHI-TC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has built and completed delivery to Yokohama City of the Mitsubishi Marine Bridge (MMB), a self-propelled mobile seaport passenger boarding bridge (SPBB). Manufactured at MHI's Mihara Machinery Works in Hiroshima Prefecture, the MMB was put into service at Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal on January 13. Capable of connecting to the large cruise ships that dock at Osanbashi…

It’s already possible to have smart decision support on the bridge: With Furuno’s technology, live video imagery of the front view from the vessel has navigation information superimposed on it including heading, AIS data, radar target tracking, object identification, route waypoint and chart information.SEA.AI’s bridge support system can identify larger vessels not fitted with AIS up to a range of 7.5 kilometers (nearly five miles), smaller vessels up to 3 kilometers (nearly 2…

The first commercial application of Volvo Penta’s IPS Professional Platform will power Northern Offshore Services’ next-gen crew transfer vessel. Longtime collaborators Volvo Penta and N-O-S aim to more than satisfy the unique requirements of a possible 25x increase in offshore wind production.Upon arrival in Gothenburg, an observant visitor quickly realizes that Sweden is one of the cleanest places on earth. Epitomizing that lofty standard are two marine industry heavyweights…

Finnish technology firm Wärtsilä has taken a notable step towards realising the full commercial potential of autonomous vessels.Following the latest and most advanced testing of its SmartDock auto-docking system, which included giving industry representatives and customers first-hand experience as passengers onboard the test vessel, the company has secured the first order for the system. This makes SmartDock the world’s first commercially available auto-docking solution.By automating docking procedures, the Wärtsilä SmartDock system mitigates potential human errors resulting from ship officers having to perform these technical manoeuvres many times a day.

Yanmar has undertaken development of underlying technologies for robotic boats and auto-docking, technologies that are expected to see service in operations in dangerous waters, maritime surveys, or smart fisheries.While development of autonomous vehicles for the road and the farm continues apace, maritime robotics technologies have yet to become established. With long established track record of R&D in various fields of robotics and IT, Yanmar has been working to meld the hardware…

Boston Harbor Cruises’ new subsidiary is building for Massachusetts in the Commonwealth.Blue Atlantic Fabricators of East Boston, MA announces the fabrication and launch of a 50 ton, 20ft x 80ft floating dock to be located at Lovejoy Wharf in Boston. This all-steel dock, will be the facility for privately-run ferry and water taxi service between Lovejoy Wharf and Boston’s Seaport District, offering both bow-loading and side loading capabilities.Blue Atlantic Fabricators built the floating dock for C. White Marine, Inc. who, as general marine contractor for developer Related Beal, will finish and install the docking system at the multiuse Lovejoy Wharf property.

Vestdavit has completed its largest ever single-point A-frame davit for over the side boat handling, rising to the continuing challenge set by customers to be able to launch and retrieve ever larger workboats from their ships. The first PAP-16000 davit, which features a safe working load of 16t, will be installed on board a service operation vessel destined for a specialized segment in the offshore industry for an unspecified owner. The 58.5 m length vessel, due delivery by the end of 2017, will operate off north continental Europe.

The launch ceremony of DEME’s 3,500m3 LNG-powered trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) MINERVA took place on 3 December at Royal IHC's shipyard in Kinderdijk, The Netherlands. The official name giving and christening ceremony will take place in the spring of 2017 in Zeebrugge, Belgium. "The launch of this vessel is an important milestone for the dredging industry,” says IHC's Executive Director Shipbuilding, Arjan Klijnsoon. “IHC had already started to investigate the integration of LNG into dredging vessels in 2012, enabling us to understand the challenges of this green solution. This gave us a solid basis to work from when DEME started its tender process, and helped us to materialise DEME’s preliminary design for two LNG-powered TSHDs.

Astander and Astican are the two busiest privately owned shipyards in Spain carrying out heavy repairs and special conversion projects with a boutique style attitude towards customers. As part of Lavinia Group, which runs a fleet of more than 70 vessels, the shipyard understand the owner´s needs. Astander, in the port of Santander, has more than 140 years’ presence in the international market and has continually modernized and updatd its facilities. The latest investment program…

How did you find a career in the maritime industry? As a consequence of my father´s dedication to the industry, as founder of a shipping agency in the early eighties as well as partner in a large shipping company and shipyard´s ownership, I grew up in this atmosphere and orientated my academic training towards being able to continuing what he and his business partners created and developed. Although I did start my professional career dealing with other type of businesses within my family, the core root of our family wealth has always been in the maritime industry.

Kraken Sonar Inc. announced it has recruited two industry veterans to further develop its sensors-to-systems strategy. Joining the company is Dr. Tom Tureaud, who brings 30 years of industry experience with expertise that resulted in 12 patents, and Gina Miller, adding 10 years of unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) system engineering and leadership to Kraken’s design team. “We view these appointments as a sign of our commitment to being a leading company in our industry,” said Karl Kenny, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kraken. “Our new innovations and increasing customer demand led us to look for additions to our team who will further our sensors-to-systems strategy. We are very fortunate that we were able to find such high caliber people. Dr.

Volvo Penta’s IPS drive system celebrated a decade in production this year — coinciding with the inaugural launch of the Volvo Penta IPS quad commercial installation in four Njord Offshore crew transfer catamarans. Njord Odin is the newest vessel to join Njord Offshore’s existing fleet. The catamaran contains a quadruple installation Volvo Penta IPS900 complete propulsion system. A lot can happen in 10 years. A decade ago Volvo Penta introduced its Inboard Performance System (IPS), changing the face of the leisure and commercial marine industries.

DNV GL has developed a new unmanned floating LNG concept that it says overcomes many of the challenges currently faced by those looking to unlock the potential of remote offshore gas fields. Called Solitude, the concept demonstrates how technological advances – most of the technology already within reach - can be combined into a solution that offers some 20 percent reduction in annual OPEX, only adding a few percent increase in CAPEX and at the same time increase the overall safety. FLNG technology is developing rapidly as part of the industry’s quest for resources in more remote waters, DNV GL noted. A number of concepts have been discussed…

Trelleborg’s marine systems operation has been awarded the contract to supply complete tandem mooring systems to two floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in Angola, West Africa. The Angola-based FPSO tandem mooring projects demanded solutions capable of performing demanding offshore applications, while adhering to project quality documentation processes and Class rules, Trelleborg said. In addition, the projects also required the long-term provision of technical and field support services.

With 11 thrusters, unrivalled payload, and a host of advanced technology features, the new Saab Seaeye Leopard is the most powerful ROV of its size in the world, its manufacturer said. Aimed at the compact work-class market, the Leopard can handle more tooling, cameras and survey equipment than any other ROV in its class. The minimal deck footprint of the Seaeye range is maintained with the combination of a 20 x 8ft single lift, A-Frame & winch LARS and a 20ft control cabin for easy transport and rapid mobilization.

Bechtel, the global engineering, construction and project management company, has created a design for ports that they say has potential to transform shipping in Africa. The Multi-User Offshore Hub is designed for two or more users and consists of an offshore, smart terminal arrangement and docking system that can accommodate oceangoing vessels and barges. The Multi-User Offshore Hub has the potential to open new market opportunities for African ports by significantly increasing capacity and substantially reducing port construction and operation costs.

Bechtel, the global engineering, construction, and project management company, has created a revolutionary design for ports that could transform shipping in Africa. The Multi-User Offshore Hub is designed for two or more users and consists of an offshore, smart terminal arrangement and docking system that can accommodate ocean-going vessels and barges. The Multi-User Offshore Hub has the potential to open new market opportunities for African ports by significantly increasing capacity and substantially reducing port construction and operation costs.

All four participants have chosen Lewmar equipment to achieve the combination of elegant styling, cutting-edge materials technology and  performance demanded by these classic yachts. Velsheda (JK7) – The only original J-Class on the start line, was designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson in 1933.Today she is fitted with Lewmar winches as well as Lewmar steering and docking systems. Ranger (J5), referred to as the 'Super J' following her defence of the America's Cup against Endeavour ll…

Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of fixed satellite services, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA") for the servicing of Intelsat's on-orbit satellites via a space-based service vehicle to be provided by MDA. The innovative technology has the potential to extend the useful lives of Intelsat's satellites and enhance in-orbit reliability. The services provided by MDA to Intelsat under this agreement are valued at more than US$280 million over the timeframe during which services will be delivered.

On Feb. 18, Midia Marine Terminal, a company member of the Rompetrol Group, unloaded the first petroleum ship (60,000 tons) through the new marine terminal, built at the end of last year. “It’s the first step that confirms both the functioning of the new investment in optimal parameters, as well as the Group's intention to become a key player in providing petroleum to the Central and Western Europe refineries. The transfer of the petroleum to the refinery's tank park has been done with no problems and has also benefited from excellent weather conditions” said Tudorel Dumitraşcu, general manager of the project developed by Midia Marine Terminal.

Cruise lines, perhaps more than any other segment of the shipping market, have eagerly adopted advanced integrated bridge systems to help protect not only passenger, crews and reputations, but also the more than half-billion dollar homes within which they reside. Furuno's Integrated Bridge System, dubbed Voyager has been designed to achieve total integration of bridge equipment and information in accordance with the One Man Bridge Operation (OMBO). All components come from a single source, Furuno. Complying with the latest performance standards of IMO and IEC, the ECDIS displays and ENC vector charts make for easy route planning and route monitoring.

Royal Caribbean International's newest cruise ship Brilliance of the Seas, which completed its maiden voyage this summer, is equipped with twin state-of-the-art integrated bridge systems supplied by Northrop Grumman Corporation's Sperry Marine business unit. The Sperry Marine system provides the highest level of safe and accurate navigation for the giant cruise ship, which carries up to 2,500 passengers. In accordance with Royal Caribbean's two-bridge concept, Brilliance of the Seas has been fitted with a totally redundant package consisting of two independent integrated bridge systems (IBS) with all critical components duplicated.

Belotti Handling S.p.A., which invented the Reach Stacker machine for container handling in 1969, offers today a totally new and innovative unit with automated and sophisticated systems. The new machine is the result of a collaboration between Belotti and Pininfarina, with design and the most advanced know how studied and developed by the University of Robotics in Genoa. The new machine is already provided by five international patents, which ensure originality and innovation in this particular range of rubber tired cranes. In fact, the unit is provided by a container self docking system (SDS) developed jointly with the University of Robotics in Genoa, which is well-regarded for the design of independent robots and marine working arms.