Unmanned Ships: How Close is the Autonomous Ferry?
The first remote-controlled ferry demonstrator could hit the water within four to five years thanks to a new wave of research into operational efficiency based on ship intelligence solutions. The prediction from Oskar Levander, VP for innovation, engineering & technology at Rolls-Royce Marine in Finland, will be explored at next month’s 40th annual Interferry conference in Copenhagen, where technical innovations will be a central theme of the trade association’s agenda. Levander will suggest that the maritime industry is at the dawn of an era in which ship intelligence is one of the main technology trends – driving advances such as increased automation, smart controls, robotics, optimization/decision support tools, equipment/system health management and predictive maintenance schemes.
Shipping Should Explore Private Equity Funding
International accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens says the time is right for shipping to seek financial backing from the private equity sector to help fund investment in innovative products and services designed to keep the industry competitive and achieve regulatory compliance. Alison Jarabo of maritime efficiency specialist Fathom Shipping told the recent Moore Stephens Opportunities in Shipping Services seminar in London that regulation and the need to control costs were the two main factors driving the growth of technology in the shipping industry.
Innovative Enviroship Concept Wins Big
Earlier this year Rolls-Royce was bestowed the Heyerdahl Award for its Enviroship concept. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently caught up with Per Egil Vedlog, Design Manager, Rolls-Royce Marine AS, for his insights on the honor as well as the challenge in designing for the maritime future. Anyone that has spent much time in Norway must realize that the Norwegian maritime cluster is a special one, bound by generations of designing, building and operating in, around and under the sea.
New Head of DNV Research & Innovation, Rune Torhaug
Det Norske Veritas (DNV) appoints Rune Torhaug as the new Managing Director for DNV Research and Innovation. Bjørn Kj. Haugland, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer says: "Mr. Torhaug has a strong background in risk and reliability, and a proven track record of applying risk methodology to critical problems in several industries. His drive for research is backed by his extensive technology and operational leadership experience. He has a M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from NTNU and a Ph.D.
