Machinery Systems News

Norwegian technology firm Kongsberg announced it will install and test autonomous ship technologies on two vessels in Europe's inland waterways and short sea coastal shipping routes.The AUTOSHIP project will aim to test and further develop key technology linked to fully autonomous navigation systems, intelligent machinery systems, self-diagnostics, prognostics and operation scheduling, as well as communication technology enabling a prominent level of cyber security and integrating the vessels into upgraded e-infrastructure…

Those shipowners looking to install marine exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) as way of meeting global sulfur cap requirements are advised to ensure that manufacturers, shipyards and installers are using quality, high-end materials.Based on the collective experience gained from more than 1500 EGCS installations, Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA) 2020 members found the quality of materials and coatings used is the most important factor in optimizing EGCS safety and averting any corrosion…

Metal Shark Expands Internationally with New Croatia Engineering Facility.Shipbuilder Metal Shark has established a foothold across the Atlantic with the opening of a dedicated European engineering office.Metal Shark’s first location outside of the United States, “Metal Shark Croatia” is a new engineering facility recently opened in the city of Rijeka on Croatia’s northern Adriatic coast.The facility currently employs nearly 20 naval architects, machinery systems engineers, and…

ABS software supports designs across most vessel sectors. This pilot project focused on tug and barge designs, producing promising results.Jensen Maritime, the naval architecture and marine engineering arm of Crowley Maritime Corp, and ABS have completed a precedent-setting pilot project using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) models to support plan reviews for class approval.In what is believed to be an industry first, the innovative pilot was not proprietary to specific brands of CAD software…

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA), Høglund, the marine solutions and system integration company, ferry operator Fjord1, and the classification society DNV GL have completed the first testing phase of the ROMAS (Remote Operation of Machinery and Automation Systems) project.As ship systems become more complex, operators increasingly rely on the suppliers of individual systems to operate and maintain them. At the same time, finding machinery engineers who have the skills to…

Since the founding in 2016, cyber defence company Naval Dome has won awards for its Endpoint cyber defense system and achieved the highest level of security certification from classification society DNV GL, helping to protect merchant ships, cruise ships and yachts from cyber-attack.In 2019, Naval Dome optimized Endpoint with a “Dashboard” App, providing maritime users with  a clear picture of the cyber status of all critical systems on board the ship, designed to allow users…

Robert (Bob) Hill of Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., of Milford, MA has specialized in the design of AT/B’s for many years. As probably the world's most experienced designer of large articulated tug/barge (AT/B) systems, Hill’s success comes, in part, from a willingness to innovate. Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corporation and Robert Hill are the co-inventors of the Intercon Connection System. In a nutshell, his firm has had a hand in over 70% of the operational AT/B’s in service in America – including, 80% of those built or converted since 1994.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has submitted a paper to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Intersessional Working Group (ISWG) on the consistent implementation of the 2020 global fuel oil sulphur standard under MARPOL Annex VI. The submission, which was co-sponsored by the Republic of Liberia, the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO)…

Rolls-Royce has received a supply order from Spain’s Astilleros Gondan shipyard for the design, propulsion and auxiliary machinery systems for what has been dubbed one of world’s most advanced fishing vessels.Scheduled for delivery in 2020 to Prestfjord Seafood, a division of Norway’s Holmøy Maritime, the 77m trawler will be based on a Rolls-Royce NVC 732 WP design arranged with triple trawl and pelagic trawl for operation in Arctic waters catching white fish and shrimps. The vessel has been designed to accommodate a 29-person crew.Knut Roald Holmøy…

Rolls-Royce Marine said it has signed a contract with Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C. in Louisiana for the development of a 100-meter-long trawler to be built for the Seattle based company Arctic Storm Management Group, LLC.In addition to being the largest fishing vessel contract to date for Rolls-Royce with a value of about £15 million, it also marks the first Rolls-Royce fishing vessel concept to be built at a U.S. shipyard.Rolls-Royce has been working closely with the owner…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced several leadership changes at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. Lucas Hicks has been promoted to vice president of construction for the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), and Charles Southall has been promoted to vice president of engineering and design. Southall succeeds Jennifer Boykin, who previously served in the role before being named president of Newport News Shipbuilding. Mike Shawcross, who currently serves as Newport News’ vice president…

Rapp Marine said it has received a new order from Odd Lundberg As, marking the third generation of owners from the shipping company who have selected its deck machinery. “This is the first time the shipping company has selected a high-tech electrical solution,” confirms Morten Stenkjær, VP Sales at Rapp Marine AS. “The owner’s new pride is a combined ring-net and pelagic trawler and will be equipped with a complete electric deck machinery solution from Rapp Marine. Mats Lundberg…

Whether it’s autonomous cars or connected houses, it seems like everywhere you look these days, internet of things (IoT) technology is a focus. Even in the conservative maritime world, IoT is currently a hot topic. Shifting supply chain solutions and business models are fundamentally changing the way that commercial shipping and the wider transport sector operates. IoT enables an organization to capture value from information, regardless of sector, and in essence forms a loop that creates a larger process. Deloitte conceptualized this process and named it the Information Value Loop in 2015.

It is not business as usual in the world where we do business. Things are changing. Even regulations themselves are changing from less prescriptive in nature to more performance-based. As Chairman, President and CEO of a global classification and technology-centric company that operates in 70 countries with 5,000 employees, I am continually assessing the impact of these changes on the capabilities ABS needs to fulfill its mission and maintain its leadership position in the maritime, offshore and government industries it serves. To know where we are heading, we have to know where we began.

MacGregor has signed a three-year MacGregor Onboard Care (MOC) service agreement with the German shipping company, Peter Döhle Schiffahrts Group, for an annual inspection of deck machinery, steering gear and cranes on a mixed fleet of 70 vessels. The agreement became effective as of 1 January 2017. "Our commitment is to provide the operative availability of equipment and ensure sustainable ship operations and earning capabilities for these vessels," says John Carnall, Senior Vice President, Global Lifecycle Support, MacGregor.

The first ships to be classed with Lloyd’s Register’s cyber notations have been delivered to Global United in Korea. Built by Hanjin Heavy Industries, in collaboration with Alpha Ori Technology, the ships have been awarded the notation Cyber (AL-SAFE) certifying the autonomous systems onboard as safe. This is the first real example of the digital transformation in shipping – the ships will operate in an autonomous mode for selected functions using cutting edge digital technology. The new cyber-enabled features allow crew to operate ships more efficiently.

Valmet said it has been awarded a contract to supply automation for an arctic icebreaking tanker to be built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc. in Finland. The tanker (NB 515) is designed by Arctech and measures 229 m in length and 32.5 m in breadth. It will be built to ice class of Arc 7 and can reliably break ice almost two meters thick. The vessel will be tasked with transporting gas condensate year-round from the Yamal Peninsula to Europe and Asia, able to operate independently in the demanding ice conditions of the Northern Sea Route.

DNV GL has initiated a joint industry project for the design of a state-of-the-art next generation LPG carrier. LPGreen aims is to develop a more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and safer vessel for the transportation of LPG products, taking into account existing and future trading patterns and ensuring the overall competitiveness of the concept. The project will incorporate the latest advances in hull form optimisation, cargo handling systems, engine technology and fuelling options. The resulting concept design will be compliant with the new IGC Code.

MacGregor informs it has secured an order to supply MacGregor equipment packages for two 38,000 dwt bulk carriers in China.   The order was booked into second quarter order intake and includes following equipment/ship: design and key components for hatch covers, deck cranes, electric deck machinery, steering gear and air compressor.   "Customers can benefit from MacGregor's extended portfolio, which now includes deck machinery, steering gear and air compressors from our Hatlapa range," said Sönke Tanz, Area Sales Manager, Auxiliary and Machinery Systems at MacGregor.

The LNGreen joint industry project brought together experts from DNV GL and industry specialists from GTT, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and the shipowner GasLog to develop a state-of-the-art next-generation LNG carrier. Combining the knowledge and experience of each of the project’s partners, developers say the vessel concept offers improved environmental footprint, energy efficiency, boil-off rate and cargo capacity, making it better suited to future trading patterns than existing vessels.

ABS announced the publication of The ABS Guide for Certification of Offshore Access Gangways. The new Guide addresses certification for safety systems used for “walk to work” (W2W) crew transfers. “As advanced crew transfer options become the norm in the offshore oil and gas industry, more and more companies want to benefit from W2W vessels and are looking to ABS for safety guidance,” says ABS Chief Technology Officer, Howard Fireman. Offshore access gangways with motion compensation systems are deployed and connected to the fixed or floating platform…

Simulations indicate diesel electric propulsion can be a fuel efficient solution for LNG carriers under realistic operating conditions. Power and automation technology group ABB has disclosed details of a study from DNV-GL R&D examining the potential for efficiency improvements of dual fuel diesel electric (DFDE) propulsion. The study found it is possible to improve overall vessel efficiency and thus asset competitiveness in certain vessel and configuration cases, demonstrating furthermore that an optimized DFDE LNG carrier can be a highly fuel efficient solution for the specific case and boundaries of the study. ABB requested DNV-GL R&D to undertake an analysis of DFDE propulsion under realistic operating conditions for LNG carriers…

Drones, remote inspection technologies and insights on cybersecurity were some of the main topics discussed at the DNV GL Innovation Day in Singapore. Some 120 representatives from shipowners, managers, manufacturing companies, yards and other stakeholders participated in the event held this week. Aimed at providing insights into the latest value creating digital solutions, the Innovation Day included ten presentations and drew upon DNV GL’s expertise in the maritime, software, energy and oil & gas sectors.