Electronic Control Systems News

New Zealand companies HamiltonJet and EV Maritime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build advanced composite, battery-powered commuter ferries.Their cooperation was formalized at HamiltonJet’s Christchurch headquarters in May, in the presence of Hon Dr Megan Woods, New Zealand’s Minister of Energy & Resources and Minister of Research Science & Innovation.With the aim of decarbonizing the harbor cities of the world, the firms are seeking to develop one of the world’s first truly high-speed…

Waterjet supplier Marine Jet Power (MJP) has introduced remote support capabilities for MJP waterjets operating with electronic control systems. The new remote service application will allow authorized MJP representatives to remotely and securely access the shipboard computers to diagnose and troubleshoot alarms, conduct software updates and assist with startups and new ship commissioning.A solution which was already under development, MJP has accelerated its Remote Service to assist customers during the current world health situation and growing travel restrictions surrounding the spread of COVID-19.“We were already working on a remote solution prior to the outbreak of Coronavirus,” said, MJP Chief Technology Officer Staffan Sormark.

American Commercial Barge Line’s leadership and early adoption of ZF Marine’s z-drive propulsion technology underscores a growing trend on the inland waterways. American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has been around a long time – since 1915, to be exact – and along the way has developed into one of the dominant players in the inland marine transportation industry. With a passion for safety and a green footprint, ACBL has always embraced technology and innovation. That point was obvious when it made the decision to outfit at least 15 of its towboats with ZF Marine’s Z-drive systems. The Z-Drive installations are but a small part of a $500 million fleet and equipment investment that ACBL has undertaken over the course of the last five years.

At this year’s Offshore Energy exhibition, global deck machinery specialist ACE Winches announced a new 500te Linear Winch to its range of specialized deck equipment. The company will showcase its range of products and services supplied to European clients operating within marine, renewables and oil and gas sectors. In recent months ACE Winches has delivered equipment and services for a number of key projects for European based companies, worth over £1.4 million. These projects have varied in type…

ZF Marine supplies propulsion system components for yachts, defense craft, high-speed ferries, workboats and commercial vessels, in a power range from 10 to 14,000 kW. The product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of transmissions (reversing, non-reversing and hybrid), propellers POD-drive systems, steering systems and CANbus-compatible, electronic control systems, azimuth thrusters, tunnel thrusters, bow thrusters and sail drives. ZF Marine is a global leader in marine propulsion technology.

Longtime waterjet propulsion equipment provider NAMJet introduces key advancements for the workboat sector. Back in 2011, when boat builder Birdon went looking for a propulsion system that they could utilize in the bid phases of a multi-boat contract with the U.S. Army, they landed on NAMJet propulsion systems and its TRAKTOR Jet line of high-thrust marine jets. Subsequent to that, and because their Army Bridge Erection boat (BEB) concept, powered by NAMJet, performed so well, Birdon went ahead and purchased the company. Since then, NAMJet has gone on to blaze its own trail for propulsion solutions over a wide range of workboats. Denver-based NAMJet provides waterjet technology designed for a wide variety of commercial…

ZF Friedrichshafen AG is celebrating its centennial in 2015. Founded in the city of Friedrichshafen at Lake Constance in 1915 as “Zahnradfabrik GmbH,” the company developed from an aviation specialist with regional roots to an international technology company active on the global mobility markets, including maritime. MR recently visited with Daniel Härter, Vice President Industrial Technology, Head of Business Unit Marine Propulsion Systems, who took over responsibility for ZF Marine as of September 1, 2014. ZF is obviously large and diverse across many markets.

15351 SW 29th St. ZF Marine supplies propulsion system components for yachts, defense craft, high-speed ferries, workboats and commercial vessels, in a power range from 10 to 14,000 kW. The product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of transmissions (reversing, non-reversing and hybrid), propellers POD-drive systems, steering systems and CANbus-compatible, electronic control systems, azimuth thrusters, tunnel thrusters, bow thrusters and sail drives. ZF Marine is a global…

Marine Propulsion Systems, a business unit of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, shared at the sidelines of Marintec China 2013 that China continues to be a key focus for the company and shared plans to strengthen its footprint in the market. ZF Marine has been in China since 2006 and currently operates a sales and services office in Shanghai which serves as a competence center for all marine applications in China. With optimism slowly returning to the global offshore market, the industry is expected to climb steadily and this presents significant business opportunities for ZF Marine…

Delta "T" Systems has chosen Duramax International as its representative in Central and South America. Headquartered in Riviera Beach, Florida, Delta "T" is a pioneer in the field of engineered marine engine room ventilation. Its product lines include moisture eliminators, fans, fire dampers, blowers and electronic control systems. Marine manufacturer representative Duramax International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Duramax Marine, LLC, offers its clients sales support with increased exposure through a wide network of customers.

AB Volvo Penta and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd have decided to set up joint working groups to evaluate the potential for deeper collaboration between the companies. On December 6, Volvo Penta and Yamaha Motor announced that they had signed an agreement involving technological collaboration relating to the development of electronic control systems for boats. This collaboration is designed to produce technological synergies in the increasingly important field of electronics. The collaboration became operational at the end of the year, but the parties have already decided to take things further and conduct joint studies of the way cooperation between the companies could be further extended. “Volvo Penta is a world leader when it comes to marine power systems.

ZF Marine LLC, the North American subsidiary of ZF Marine Group in Padova, opened its new , located at ZF Marine's new North American headquarters facility in Miramar, FL. It is designed to provide ZF Marine’s authorized North and Central American service partners with comprehensive training modules on all of ZF Marine’s family of products. “Expanding our training capabilities was one of the priorities when we were building our new headquarters facility. Our rapidly expanding product offering combined with the ongoing expansion of our independent service network made sending factory training personnel into the field inefficient,” said Tim McFarland Aftermarket Segment Manager.

Scana Industries USA, Inc. has opened an office in La. to promote their propulsion line in the Americas markets which covers the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The office will be located in Mandeville and will be managed by Dan Gaiennie. Gaiennie has over 28 years experience in the marine industry in both technical and operation roles. With the acquisition of ABB Zamech (manufacturer of thrusters and CP-propeller), Scana Industries has formed the Scana Propulsion Group which manufactures and services controllable pitch propeller systems up to 20…

All U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are now chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-free. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)’s Shipboard Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Elimination Program marked a major environmental milestone April 2 with the elimination of the final ozone depleting CFC refrigerants aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). “NAVSEA is eliminating these CFC refrigerants because they deplete the earth’s protective ozone layer which screens out potentially harmful radiation from the sun,” said Gregory Toms, NAVSEA ODS elimination program manager. NAVSEA strives to be a good steward of the environment while building the future Navy and sustaining the current fleet. Currently Carl Vinson is nearing completion of a Refueling Complex Overhaul.

German predilection for technological advance permeates all areas of primary business and industrial activity, to the undoubted benefit of the competitive standing of its international market players. In the maritime domain, a clear appreciation of the long-term operating benefits promised by the application of electronic regulation to massively powerful, two-stroke propulsion engines is denoted by Hapag-Lloyd's selection of K98ME diesels for its next generation of linehaul vessels. In explaining some of the rationale in opting for electronically controlled, 'cathedral' engines of the largest size produced to date, an article in a recent edition of the in-house publication Hapag-Lloyd News illustrated the pragmatic approach to state-of-the-art technology.

Odfjell ASA have ordered an electronically-controlled engine from MAN B&W Diesel A/S , a 7-cylinder S50ME-C model to be manufactured at the group's Alpha Diesel factory in Frederikshavn, Denmark. Norwegian owner Odfjell ASA has specified the engine to power a 37,500 dwt chemical tanker newbuilding due from the Norwegian yard Kleven Floro AS in the fall of 2003. The 7S50ME-C will be the first MAN B&W Diesel two-stroke diesel engine to be built from the start purely with fully integrated electronic control systems that eliminate the traditional camshaft. Planned for delivery by MAN B&W Diesel, Frederikshavn Works, in spring 2003, the 7S50ME-C engine will have an output of 10,415 kW at 120 r/min.

Having already put down a marker for the industry by converting the main engine of one of its ships to full electronic control, Norwegian chemtanker specialist Odfjell has further endorsed the technology by nominating a two-stroke electronic engine from the outset for a newbuild project. Experience gained with the installation in the 37,500-dwt Bow Cecil, run in wholesale electronic mode for about a year, has convinced Odfjell of the attributes and potential of such a system. It has therefore selected a purpose-designed, electronic version of the MC-C low-speed diesel from the MAN B&W stable for a 37,500-dwt parcel tanker contracted with Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven Floro.

Prof. Matti Kleimola, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Wärtsilä Corporation, was recently elected as President of CIMAC. He is a member of Wärtsilä Board of Management, Technology and Environment, and Head of Corporate Technology, including R&D. MR took a few moments to discuss with him emerging trends in the marine propulsion market. Q What is your area of responsibility as the new president of CIMAC. A The aim of CIMAC is to promote exchange of technical and scientific knowledge, to improve understanding between manufacturers, users and suppliers, to promote the work and activities of national associations in the field of combustion engines technology (piston engines and gas turbines) in marine/ship propulsion, power generation, rail traction and industrial applications.

Intermarine of Savannah, Ga., has joined the number of yacht builders who are taking advantage of the new corporate alliance program offered by Delta "T" Systems of Jupiter, Fla. As an alliance member, Intermarine will receive quicker, easier and more cost-efficient access to Delta "T" Systems' engine room ventilation products. The company's products manage airflow through the engine room to optimize engine performance and service life. They include fans, fire dampers, moisture eliminators and automated electronic control systems. As part of the agreement, Intermarine will make Delta "T” Systems products standard aboard all its craft. Intermarine will also benefit from special warranty and cooperative advertising arrangements with Delta "T".