Ecdis Software News

Raytheon Anschütz has released a range of new features for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) to improve specialized mission capabilities such as tactical operation and collaboration.The so-called "Plus Features" include a variety of navigational aids and overlays, which are typically required for coast guard or naval ships, offshore and research ships and megayachts.Raytheon Anschütz , a business of Raytheon Technologies, said other key features include:Search and rescue (SAR) operations based on IMO (International Maritime Organization) IAMSAR Manual Volume III…

Raytheon Anschütz launched a new ECDIS in January 2021, the ECDIS NX Compact, which is a preconfigured system of a 24-inch panel-pc and the ECDIS NX software that is designed to make installation and operation easier and safer. Optimized for ECDIS retrofits, the panel-pc is equipped with interfaces for Ethernet and IEC 61161-1 (NMEA). With a software installation wizard and selectable standard configurations for newbuilding and retrofit installations, the operating system and the ECDIS software install semi-automatically…

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has initiated a plan to upgrade navigation system hardware on a range of surface vessels and submarines.The supplier OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) said it has signed a deal with RCN to design, build, test, certify and deliver MIL-SPEC navigation system hardware upgrades to replace legacy systems that were originally provided by the company, some dating back to 2001. OSI will also provide spares and training support.The fleetwide upgrade includes 44 surface ship and five submarine systems.

Almost three-quarters of cargo ships over 20,000 gross tonnage (GT) are already compliant with the SOLAS-mandated Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) deadline of July 1, 2017, according to the latest figures published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). The UKHO estimates that a further 3,828 cargo ships over 20,000 GT are yet to make the transition to using an ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) service and therefore do not yet meet SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations on ECDIS carriage.

The majority of the global SOLAS fleet is now compliant with the SOLAS regulations on ECDIS carriage, according to the latest data published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) at Posidonia. As of May 2016, 51 percent of all vessels that are subject to the SOLAS regulations on the mandatory carriage of ECDIS, including those that do not trade internationally, are now fully ECDIS ready. This is an increase of 6 percent in the past six months. Furthermore, out of almost 42,000 internationally trading vessels, the UKHO now estimates that 59 percent are ECDIS ready, which is defined as using an ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) service on ECDIS.

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.

German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz announced it is ready to deliver Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS) Software compliant with new International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards. The IEC and IHO have published new versions of some of their ECDIS standards, and all users must update their existing ECDIS to be in compliance by September 1, 2017. Raytheon Anschütz has finished type approval of the ECDIS Software according to these standards.

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…

Large cargo ship fleet well prepared for July 2016 ECDIS regulations and ECDIS adoption accelerates among global tanker fleet. Over half of ships trading internationally are living with ECDIS, according to the latest figures published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). Of an estimated 41,500 internationally trading ships around the world, 24,300 or 58% are now using an ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) service on ECDIS as a result of the SOLAS-mandated carriage of ECDIS, which is being introduced on a rolling timetable for different ship types and sizes. Moreover, when those that do not trade internationally are included, 45% of all ships that are subject to the SOLAS regulations are ECDIS ready.

The U.K. Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has worked with Kongsberg Maritime to ensure the latest K-Bridge ECDIS and K-Nav ECDIS software includes AIO, making additional chart information available to the mariner when using its Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) models. In the past, navigators have relied on the ADMIRALTY T&P NMs to manually update their paper charts. AIO is a free service included with the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS). The overlay contains worldwide ADMIRALTY Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners (T&P NMs) to be used in conjunction with ENCs.

Buffalo Computer Graphics (BCG) Inc. has delivered a series of simulation products to Maritime Training International (MTI), in Jacksonville, Fla. MTI contacted BCG earlier this year and opened discussions to add simulation capabilities to its existing inventory of maritime training resources. MTI shipped three laptops to Buffalo for BCG engineers to install and configure two of the laptops with Raytheon’s NSC ECDIS software and ARPA/Radar software in addition to BCG’s Virtual Steering Stand (VSS) software…

The next hacker playground: the open seas - and the oil tankers and container vessels that ship 90 percent of the goods moved around the planet. In this internet age, as more devices are hooked up online, so they become more vulnerable to attack. As industries like maritime and energy connect ships, containers and rigs to computer networks, they expose weaknesses that hackers can exploit. Hackers recently shut down a floating oil rig by tilting it, while another rig was so riddled with computer malware that it took 19 days to make it seaworthy again…

With ECDIS training continuing to be high on the shipping agenda, Videotel, in conjunction with Safebridge, now offers participants an entry into three times as many type-specific ECDIS modules as its nearest competitor. “With constant demands for greater flexibility from crew and STCW requirements calling for proficiency in working with the specific type of ECDIS system found on board, bridge personnel have to ensure they have the right training to work on the equipment they are given,” explained Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel Marine International.

Marine navigation and communications specialist MARIS AS, of Norway and Chinese marine electronics company New Sunrise Co., Ltd. (NSR), of Suzhou, have signed an agreement that establishes MARIS as the largest ECDIS original equipment manufacturer in the world. The OEM deal, formalized at December’s Marintec 2013 in Shanghai, will see NSR produce MARIS ECDIS software and supply it in combination with NSR hardware. NSR has developed a PC and Monitor specific to maritime applications.

Safebridge, the Hamburg-based pioneer in interactive, Internet-based, navigation training, has released its eighth online type-specific training course for the Imtech SeaGuide ECDIS. “We are drawing closer to our goal of providing a comprehensive range of flexible, cost-effective, online courses for all major ECDIS suppliers in anticipation of increasing demand for type-specific training,” said Safebridge managing director, Ulf Steden. “This was the last of the releases completed in the first half of 2013.

Raytheon Anschütz was awarded a contract for the supply of ECDIS 24 to a significant retrofit program of Norwegian shipowner Nor Lines. ECDIS 24 is a particular designed retrofit version of the well-known Raytheon Anschütz ECDIS. Under the contract, Nor Lines has ordered ten ECDIS 24 systems for installations on board of five ships, with MV Cometa being the first vessel to be refitted. All five shipsets will be supplied and commissioned by Raytheon Anschütz’ Norwegian distributor Syberg AS.

VSTEP and PC Maritime have jointly developed a software interface which they say makes high quality, yet affordable ECDIS and radar training possible. Following its radar video interface with the Kelvin Hughes and MARIS ECDIS, VSTEP’s NAUTIS bridge simulators now also connect to PC Maritime’s Navmaster ECDIS to provide training colleges with a DNV-approved generic ECDIS training installation. The VSTEP/PC Maritime bridge simulators can be provided as software only to run on standard PCs, or with hardware consoles up to Full Mission Bridge Simulators. The range is designed for nautical colleges and company training centers in compliance with the latest STCW requirements.

U.K.-based ECDIS training and consultancy company ECDIS Ltd. announced the launch of a new course, Tokyo Keiki ECDIS familiarization. This marks the completion of the first stage of course development. As a training partner ECDIS Ltd will progress to delivery of MCA and DNV approved Generic and Nautical Institute accredited Type Specific (Equipment Specific) training on Tokyo Keiki ECDIS software. Tokyo Keiki has built up a sound reputation for delivering and supporting robust and reliable navigation and communications equipment for use in one of the harshest environments on earth.

MSG MarineServe GmbH, a  maritime training company, will act as the official ECDIS training agent for the Navico Simrad ECDIS systems. The ECDIS training will be provided by MSG and its ‘ECDIS Training Consortium’ (ETC) or by sister company Safebridge GmbH using its innovative, online simulation, E-learning courses. The courses will provide trainees with comprehensive instruction, leading to full certification upon completion, and also allow third party authorities and customers, such as Port State Control, to reference trainee database services.

TORM has chosen Transas Marine as an ECDIS supplier for five of its vessels. Navi-Sailor 4000 Dual ECDIS will be installed on five L-Class Tankers. Along with this, Transas Marine will supply and install 1 x ‘Back of the Bridge’ station on each of the five vessels, and the vessels will thereby obtain 3 x fully operational ECDIS stations. Transas Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS ‘Back of the Bridge’ planning station is based on the 24’’ Panel PC. It includes Navi-Planner with full voyage plan functionality and ECDIS Software. Installation has been completed on the vessel “TORM LOUISE”, and remaining 4 vessels will be equipped in the following months. In addition, Transas Marine has upgraded eight other TORM vessels to the latest hard- and software versions.

U.K.-based ECDIS training and consultancy company ECDIS Ltd. launched a new onboard familiarization course for Kelvin Hughes’ MantaDigital Widescreen software. Kelvin Hughes’ newest ECDIS software has been on the market since 2012 and ECDIS Ltd has now produced its own training solution which meets the requirement of the ISM code and Safety Management System training requirements and is convenient for the marine and the shipping company. www.ecdis.org

Sweden's Adveto ECDIS-4000 system on board 'National Geographics Explorer' upgraded to fulfil IMO compliance standard. During the vessel's recent visit to Scandinavia the National Geographics Explorer was successfully upgraded with the latest software from ADVETO. The new software release has been tested and meets the standards set for ECDIS by the IHO, with particular reference to the recent IHO circular ‘Update Report on IHO Action concerning ECDIS Software Issues’. IHO said that it had checked the performance of systems from 15 out of 25 recognised manufacturers of type-approved ECDIS…

Germanischer Lloyd, Baker Lyman Sub-Chapter M Alliance brings affordable, turnkey TSMS solutions – and compliance – to towboat operators. When a family-owned, Gulf Coast based marine firm known primarily as a Chart Agent branches out into the world of maritime software, that’s big news. When a global, U.S. Coast Guard recognized vessel classification society acquires a world class survey and engineering firm to form a fully integrated technical consulting company, that’s arguably even bigger news. And, when those two entities – Baker Lyman (BL) and Germanischer Lloyd (GL) – this summer announced a strategic partnership intended to provide a turnkey…