Offshore Systems News

SBM Offshore, a Dutch company best known for its FPSO leasing business, has developed an artificial intelligence-powered mooring lines monitoring solution which has now received new technology qualification from classification society ABS.The company said that the NTQ by ABS allows its AI-powered Intelligent Agent Mooring Line Integrity Tool to be integrated into offshore systems for the first time.According to SBM Offshore, the tool enables the detection of a potential mooring line failure and its location…

Long a staple for offshore service providers, a more compact and carefully designed version of the diesel electric option is now available for inland pushboats. For budget conscious operators (and who isn’t, in this environment?), the stars may finally be aligned.For many years, electric propulsion has proven to be a viable propulsion solution for many different types of vessels. Most familiar to workboat stakeholders would be the advent of the ‘diesel electric’ offshore serve providers (OSV) that became commonplace during the offshore boom era. Those vessels operated in a different regulatory environment, with the emphasis more leaning towards operational efficiencies and fuel economy.

What are the best options for securing remote connections on ship and offshore systems? Which operational technology on board is most vulnerable to cyber-attacks? DNV GL has published a Recommended Practice (RP) on “Cyber Security Resilience Management” to help the industry address potential cyber hazards. Developed in cooperation with customers, the RP provides guidance on risk assessment, general improvements to cyber security, and the verification of security improvements and management systems. “With ships and mobile offshore units becoming increasingly reliant on software-dependent systems, cyber security is an important operational and safety issue for the maritime world…

Survitec Group announced a transformational deal with the Marine Safety business of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS (WMS), in which WMS will transfer into Survitec all related safety products and services, including Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions, WSS Technical Services and WSS Safety Products. The combined business will operate under the Survitec Group name. “Upon completion of the merger, WMS will hold a 20 percent stake in Survitec, which will cement the long-term relationship between our two organizations and ensure Wilhelmsen’s continued and significant involvement in the future success of the combined group,” said Dag Schjerven, President and CEO of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services, who will take a position on the Survitec Group Board of Directors.

Tideland Signal Corporation has been acquired by Xylem Inc. (NSYE: XYL), a global water technology company. Tideland will now be part of the Xylem Analytics business which includes YSI, SonTek and Aanderaa. “We are very excited about the possibilities now available with the added scope and scale of Xylem. We look forward to offering our customers more comprehensive solutions as we combine Tideland’s expertise in complex marine and offshore systems with Xylem’s proven analytics and sensor capabilities.” said Matt Scheuing, Tideland’s CEO. Tideland’s recent focus has been on actively expanding its applications reach, emphasizing integrated control and monitoring aids to navigation solutions.

With most offshore wells in Brazil located between 30 and 300 km from the coast, communication with offshore assets has not always been straightforward or reliable. Some operators and service providers still use traditional maritime VSAT services for coverage offshore Brazil, yet the introduction of Microwave radio has led to a much better level of quality and reliability in high-bandwidth voice and data communications. Claudio Paschoa, Maritime Reporter’s correspondent in Brazil had an interesting conversation with Arild Fotland, head of Ceragon’s Oil and Gas Division, about the advantages of Microwave radio communications for offshore operations in Brazil. Fotland joined Ceragon in 1978 and has been stationed all over the world.

The results of two DNV GL led joint industry projects (JIPs) and a JIP pre-study commissioned by Statoil are now captured in a new Recommended Practice (RP) on offshore fiber ropes. With a system perspective on mooring performance, DNVGL-RP-E305 provides new industry guidance for achieving cost reductions of overall mooring operations, by addressing the engineering, manufacture and integration of offshore fiber ropes. The offshore oil and gas industry uses synthetic fiber ropes across various mission-critical activities where performance and reliability are key concerns.

At Norshipping in Oslo, Wärtsilä introduced the Wärtsilä 31, self-described by the company as a transcendent power plant in terms of fuel efficiency and economy, a claim validated by the Guinness World Records which has stamped it as the most efficient four-stroke diesel engine in the world. Björn Rosengren, President and CEO of Wärtsilä, sat with Maritime Reporter to lend perspective and insight to this development and the maritime market as a whole. Wärtsilä President & CEO Björn Rosengren was beaming at the introduction of the Wärtsilä 31 to the world at last month’s Norshipping…

Royal IHC has acquired SAS Offshore, which is based in Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands. SAS Offshore is specialised in designing and manufacturing high quality deck equipment for the offshore oil and gas market. This acquisition enables IHC to further secure its position as a supplier of reliable integrated offshore systems and integrated vessels in this sector. SAS Offshore was originally founded in 1896 in Gouda and it has a long track record in delivering pipelaying systems and winches, including ancillary equipment and services. The company also holds a minority shareholding in the Norwegian engineering and service company AXTech, and this stake has also been taken over by IHC.

Two State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College professors have received a $65,000 grant from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to develop a program for inspecting underwater drilling equipment and gathering and maintaining information about its structural well being, all while the equipment remains in service and fully operational. Dr. Daniel Fridline, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Neveen Shlayan, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering…

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin says over 50% of its system orders now placed for PSVs, AHTS and associated, advanced service vessels. According to CEO Tore Andersen, the last six months alone have seen 16 new agreements signed, pushing the number of offshore system orders beyond the 160-unit mark. Norway’s Golden Energy Offshore is the latest firm to opt for Optimarin’s market proven system, with units ordered for two ULSTEIN designed PX121H PSVs currently under construction at the Nantong Rainbow yard in China.

Second generation of Caterpillar’s gpLink will do more and serve a wider market. It is no secret that Remote Tracking, Monitoring, and Notification Systems for just about anything that floats, is here. In on the ground floor of all of that, more than 18 months ago, was the organization that provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,000 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 7,680 kWe in marine generator sets. gplink, the satellite/cellular based tracking, monitoring, and notification system was specifically designed just for Cat engines. That’s about to change, however. Beyond the all-important monitoring of diagnostics and operating parameters – with ten basic features coming standard – the system does so much more.

Rolls-Royce has announced that it has won an order to provide design and integrated equipment packages for two UT 771 WP platform supply vessels to be built by Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group Co. Ltd (SINOPACIFIC), a shipbuilder in China. The contract incorporates MTU-engines as part of an integrated power and propulsion package within the successful UT-vessel series. The UT 771 WP design from Rolls-Royce enhances the ship’s performance due to the signature wave piercing bow, designed to pierce through the waves in rough seas.

Offshore Systems (U.K.) Ltd, manufacturer of NMEA2000 digital monitoring and control systems for recreation and commercial vessels has appointed Gemeco Marine Accessories as its exclusive U.S. distributor. Gemeco will distribute Offshore Systems’ entire product line including tank senders, gauges, electrical system sensors and display units. Gemeco is a wholesale distributor of marine accessories to thousands of marine electronics dealers throughout the U.S. and abroad. The company, founded 35 years ago, is based in Lake City, South Carolina.

Classification society ABS said it has taken another step to meet industry needs with the formation of the ABS Global Gas Solutions Team to leverage the organization's LNG and LPG capabilities. This group of experienced gas professionals will work alongside owners, shipyards and equipment manufacturers to provide an extensive range of services to this growing market. "The discovery of new gas resources around the world and the exciting potential for wide-scale adoption of gas as a marine fuel are leading to a dynamic shift in the global marketplace," says ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J.

The Society of Naval Architects and Engineers (SNAME) has scheduled six pre-meeting training courses to run in the days immediately prior to the SNAME 2013 Annual Meeting and Expo, November 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington. Early registration discounts of up to $200 are available until October 14. This opportunity is offered to companies who regularly provide training courses to Naval Architects, Marine and Ocean Engineers. Don't miss this one-day training course for active users of NavCad, HydroComp’s software for ship resistance and propulsion. The focus of the course will be to introduce and review "best practices" for experienced and novice users of NavCad. For more information, contact HydroComp, Inc.

Offshore Systems has introduced an NMEA2000 AC Monitor to measure onboard AC voltage, current and frequency and report them over the vessel’s NMEA2000 network. The monitor is the latest addition to a range of vessel monitoring and control systems designed for the NMEA2000 network by Offshore Systems, and is certified to the NMEA2000 network standard. The AC Monitor can typically measure AC sources such as shore power, generators and invertors. It can also measure the voltage and frequency on AC Bus Bar Systems.

In a move that could change the way the maritime industry views propulsion technology, GE’s Power Conversion business increased its offshore systems portfolio with Inovelis, a podded thruster with unmatched fuel efficiency and overall performance. Inovelis incorporates an electrically powered propeller with its motor housed within a steerable pod mounted beneath the hull of an offshore vessel. It incorporates all the assets of a podded thruster, including maneuverability, responsiveness and excellent fuel economy.

Remote Tracking, Monitoring, and Notification Systems for Cat Powered yachts and vessels are here. The organization that provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,000 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 7,680 kWe in marine generator sets, utilizing a sales and service network of more than 2,100 world-wide locations, has further increased its customer support for ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft – wherever they are. Aptly named gplink, the satellite/cellular based tracking, monitoring, and notification system is specifically designed for Cat engines. Beyond the all-important monitoring of diagnostics and operating parameters – with ten basic features coming standard – the system does so much more.

HVDC is a key enabler for the efficient and reliable integration of offshore wind energy, explains HVDC busness manager. Offshore wind power generation is one of the world’s most promising renewable energy sources, and is set to play an increasingly significant role in our economic growth, energy security and environmental protection. Strong, steady winds at sea where there are no obstructions mean wind turbines can generate substantially more energy offshore than onshore. As promising as they are…

Alfa Laval – a heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling company – won an order from MAN Diesel and Turbo to supply Alfa Laval PureSOx exhaust gas cleaning systems for two cruise ships. The order for four scrubbers is booked in the Marine and Offshore Systems segment. It has a value of approximately SEK 55 million and delivery is scheduled for 2013 and 2014. The Alfa Laval PureSOx exhaust gas cleaning systems will be installed onboard two luxury cruise liners, where they will remove over 98% of the sulphur oxides from the ship’s exhaust gas. By combining MAN’s engines with Alfa Laval’s PureSOx systems, these luxury cruise vessels can continue using heavy fuel oil instead of expensive…

Fugro GEOS won a contract award which provides Qatar Shell with support for a seabed water temperature monitoring system. The 5-year contract will ensure round-the-clock support and maintenance of the metocean monitoring system, which is part of the Pearl GTL (gas-to-liquids) project in Ras Laffan, Qatar. Pearl GTL is jointly developed by Qatar Petroleum and Shell. Designed, installed and maintained by Fugro GEOS, the monitoring system is a critical element, providing real-time information to help minimise flow assurance problems in pipelines which link the two Pearl offshore platforms with the onshore plant. Using acoustic telemetry, data are sent from the seabed to the platforms and the system interfaces in real-time with the platform’s control system.

René Raaijmakers has been appointed as IHC Merwede’s new Offshore Sales Director. He succeeded the previous incumbent Twan Voogt on 1 December 2012. Mr Raaijmakers joined IHC Merwede’s in April 2012 as Product Director of the Renewables department and Manager of IHC Offshore Systems. In his new role, he will be responsible for all commercial activities within the Offshore division. He began his career with Bluewater, a leading offshore FPSO contractor and worked there for 14 years.