Ecdis Manufacturers News

Danelec Marine is rolling out its new DM700 series Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) for marine navigation at the SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg, Germany, held from September 6-9. The DM700 ECDIS provides a basic ECDIS solution that fully complies with the new IEC and IHO performance standards which will be mandatory in all ECDIS ship installations beginning August 2017. Danelec Marine introduced its new-generation DM800 ECDIS in 2015. With the addition of the new DM700…

ECDIS ACAT (Annual Competency Assurance Training): the Inspectors training in ECDIS has without doubt increased safety at sea as it highlights that not all is well, regardless of certificates held. Few are aware that the world is halfway through an international project to train around 1,000 inspectors and PSC officers in ECDIS. Without doubt, it has already dramatically increased the safety of navigation at sea by providing inspecting officers with all the relevant questions that need to be asked for all the 38 manufacturers, regardless of what certificates the officers hold.

Driven by the SOLAS-mandated transition to ECDIS, the adoption of digital navigation is the most visible sign of how navigational practices are being transformed. Additional tools are also playing an important role in supporting bridge teams and delivering accurate navigational information to the bridge. We are now halfway through the transition period under the timetable set out in the amendments to the SOLAS Convention adopted in 2009, requiring the mandatory carriage of ECDIS for ships engaged on international voyages.

Navico’s list of approvals received from the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute of South Korea has grown following type approval of the latest generation Simrad MARIS ECDIS900 Mk 5 and Mk 15 Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems, joining already approved products such as Simrad Broadband 4G radars, ARGUS antennae, gyrocompasses, autopilots and control and display units. The integrated electronic navigation specialist has secured certificates warranting the new type approvals from KMERI for its IMO type-approved ECDIS navigation systems for use on board merchant vessels.

The IMO subcommittee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) has extended the transition period for software updates to existing ECDIS for one year to August 31, 2017. The NCSR accepted the IHO’s proposal to give all ship owners using ECDIS more time to be able to obtain the correct software updates to the new IHO -52 presentation library and thus ensure compliance with the guidelines on Maintenance of ECDIS software contained in IMO MSC 1.circ 1503. The latest IHO Presentation Library (version 4.0) addresses the number one complaint leveled at ECDIS…

Which will be the first 300 ships in the world to test and validate Sea Traffic Management (STM) with updated systems free-of-charge? As the shipping domain is takes steps in information technology, the STM Validation Project aims to demonstrate the STM concept in large-scale test beds in both the Nordic and Mediterranean Seas, encompassing around 300 vessels, 10 ports and five shore based service centres as well as using the European Maritime Simulator Network. The predecessor project, MONALISA 2.0, defined a need for validating STM in ports and on board ships supported by service centers on shore. 300 “STM-Systems” will be installed on board ships, developed and installed by ECDIS-manufacturers free-of-charge, and start running live in 2017.

IHO announces new ECDIS Standards; 12 months to complete transition. Following the announcement of updated ECDIS Standards by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the UKHO is encouraging all shipowners to speak to their ECDIS manufacturers to ensure a smooth, timely transition. The technical standards that govern the display of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) within an ECDIS are the responsibility of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the international body that coordinates the activities of the community of national hydrographic offices.

Online simulation training specialist Safebridge will launch a new training course for Kelvin Hughes MantaDigital Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). Kelvin Hughes Marine Systems, a supplier of ships’ bridge systems, has appointed Safebridge and its sister company MSG MarineServe GmbH as authorized training providers for Kelvin Hughes ECDIS products. The new course is available online through the Safebridge cloud-based Internet infrastructure, on-board or as classroom-based training through the ECDIS Training Consortium (ETC) Network. The Safebridge online ECDIS training course includes guided lessons, open freeplay and a competency test.

PC Maritime have upgraded their ECDIS so that it meets the requirements of the new VDR Performance Standard (MSC.333 (90) which came into force on July 1, 2014. From July 1, 2014 VDR installations must include the ability to capture ECDIS screenshots at least every 15 seconds, record the charts in use at least every 10 minutes and record all changes of chart. This requires ECDIS manufacturers to enable the appropriate outputs from the ECDIS. PC Maritime have completed this work…

Pasha Hawaii, SeaRiver Maritime Inc., and perhaps ConocoPhillips will soon share the practice of paperless navigation in U.S. domestic trades. Each of these three ship owner/operators is managing a transition to paperless navigation at distinctly significant stages. Their progress opens a window into the evolution of electronic navigation, now taking place worldwide. There are other U.S. operators on a similar path, to be sure, but the prominence of these three is exemplary. The…

Maritime training provider Seagull announced the release of its latest equipment specific ECDIS training module for Tokyo Keiki ECDIS. Developed in close cooperation with Tokyo Keiki, one of the major ECDIS manufacturers, this latest addition to Seagull’s range of type specific ECDIS training modules is designed to provide navigators with equipment specific familiarization training for the Tokyo Keiki ECDIS EC 7000A and 8000 series ECDIS. The ECDIS module is aimed at training…

Maritime training provider Seagull announced the release of an equipment specific training module for Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC)’s ECDIS systems. Developed in close cooperation with JRC, one of the world’s leading ECDIS manufacturers, this latest addition to Seagull’s extensive library of eLearning modules is designed to provide navigators with equipment specific familiarisation training for the JRC ECDIS (JAN- 701B, JAN-901B, JAN-2000, JAN-901M and JAN-701). Targeting deck officers, the new course will allow shipowners and operators with JRC ECDIS on board their ships to meet the recently introduced regulatory requirement for equipment specific training in addition to generic ECDIS training.

The London P&I Club said the timetable for the mandatory implementation of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) is advancing and that owners must take account of the potential risks involved in replacing more traditional means of voyage planning and monitoring with advanced technology. In the latest issue of its StopLoss Bulletin, the club notes, “Ineffective use of any electronic navigational aid can lead to marine accidents. A causative factor in a number of recent grounding accidents is the incorrect operation of ECDIS.

ETC announce that it has now partnered with SAM Electronics to provide ECDIS training for the CHARTPILOT and ECDISPILOT, complementing SAM’s successful cooperation with Safebridge for online training, and thereby expanding SAM’s ECDIS training capabilities. ETC, the ECDIS Training Consortium, is a joint venture of training partners working under the patronage and control of MSG MarineServe GmbH, a  sister company of  Safebridge, to deliver courses that implement the identical ECDIS training program, adhere to consistent quality standards and are audited externally on a regular basis. ETC will use its established worldwide network to provide conventional, face-to-face, ECDIS training to meet local needs and improve the service to its global customer base.

Norway-based Seagull AS introduced an equipment specific training module for Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC)’s ECDIS systems. Developed in close cooperation with JRC, one of the world’s leading ECDIS manufacturers, this latest addition to Seagull’s extensive library of computer-based training (CBT) modules is designed to train navigators in the use of the JRC 701B, 901B and JAN-2000 series ECDIS. Targeting deck officers, the new course will allow shipowners and operators with JRC ECDIS…

Following the release of the third online course, Hamburg-based online training specialist, Safebridge, has now released its ECDIS familiarization training package for the Transas Navi-Sailor 4000. Using the Navi-Sailor software running in real time, the content follows the requirements set by the various Flag States and provides 16-18 hours of study followed by an online test. A manufacturer-approved certificate is delivered immediately and automatically upon successful test completion. A completed IMO 1.27 generic training is a pre-requisite to the Safebridge online ECDIS familiarization training. At 185 Euros for a single log-in, the Safebridge training represents a cost-effective and highly flexible alternative to classroom training…

ECDIS Ltd unveil Vstep Nautis Full Mission Bridge Simulator primarily for Bridge Team training but fitted with 4 ECDIS systems. UK based ECDIS training and consultancy company ECDIS Ltd unveiled the simulator at the opening of the facility by MP George Hollingbery in Southampton. The Bridge Simulator is to accompany the six smaller NAUTIS simulators already used for visual channels during the IMO 1.27 Model ECDIS Course. VSTEP are world renowned for their simulator software and have the capability of integrating their system with most ECDIS manufactures using standard NMEA strings as found onboard any vessel. The Bridge Simulator has been setup with two Radars and four ECDIS systems including OSI, Kelvin Hughes, JRC and Transas which are all full integrated.

UK based ECDIS training and consultancy company ECDIS Ltd unveiled a VSTEP NAUTIS full mission bridge simulator with a 315° viewing capability. It is to primarily be used for Bridge Team training but has been fitted with 4 different ECDIS systems all integrated with the NAUTIS software. The Simulator was opened last month by MP George Hollingbery in Southampton. The Bridge Simulator is to accompany the six smaller NAUTIS simulators already used for visual channels during the IMO 1.27 Model ECDIS Course.

The UKHO today announced another simple way to view the most accurate and up-to-date navigational charts, with the release of SevenCs ORCA Master Electronic Chart System (ECS) compatible with the Admiralty Information Overlay. The Overlay, brings the latest navigational updates from Admiralty to an ECDIS or ECS to help make digital navigation safer, more efficient and fully compliant. Available from Admiralty, the Overlay is now compatible with both Transas and SevenCs systems. Transas was the first to announce availability via the Transas Admiralty Data Service (TADS), and the UKHO is also working with other major ECDIS manufacturers to ensure the Admiralty Information Overlay can be displayed on their systems. Further availability will be announced in the next few months.

Hamburg – Safebridge announced that it has teamed up with Japan Radio Co. Ltd (JRC), provider of navigation systems, to develop type-specific ECDIS training for the JRC ECDIS. JRC joins a number of other ECDIS manufacturers in believing that online training is the key to meeting the huge numerical challenge set by STCW 2010. With the implementation of ECDIS as the primary means of navigation, and the now mandatory training requirements, Safebridge and JRC will provide seafarers around the globe with an effective and easy solution to train online and prepare themselves for their next assignment. Safebridge will develop the courseware for use in its learning platform…

Cambridge Pixel,  a developer of sensor processing and display solutions, has introduced its SPx-ECDIS radar kit. The new toolkit will allow systems integrators building Windows-based Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) for commercial ships to add radar interfacing, scan conversion, chart display, target tracking, a Global Positioning System interface and record/replay functionality into their ECDIS solutions. ECDIS is an approved system which displays information…

E-navigation company NAVTOR has announced the introduction of NavSync, marking an important step change in the way that navigators can gain access to the very latest Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs). NavSync allows the most up to date versions of the charts to be uploaded directly to the ECDIS from a USB device. Simple. Without the NavSync, navigators face the time consuming task of working out exactly which ENCs they require for journeys, ordering them in advance and then uploading them from CDs that are posted out to them. Not so simple. The system has been developed to work in tandem with NAVTOR’s recently launched “Pay As You Sail” DNV-approved ENC Service, which allows access to charts through a subscription-based model.

IMO takes steps to ensure ECDIS manufacturers publish information about software updates for older systems. The manufacturers of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems) equipment are to publish information on the latest versions of the software used to operate their equipment, in order to help clarify certain anomalies that had been identified with some older systems. This was the principal outcome of a meeting hosted by the IMO Secretariat earlier this week (11 September 2012) to discuss ways to address the matter. The information is to be posted on the website of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and will include links to enable ships to download the latest versions of the operating software, if necessary.