Partner Network News

Realizing the full value of digital solutions far exceeds the capability of technology. The technology exists today to help offshore energy and maritime operators radically improve efficiency and cut costs in equal measure. The real trick to driving efficiencies is to take advantage of the latest technologies while at the same time negotiating the necessary culture change within individual organizations, to really reap the benefits.Harvest Technology Group is a relatively young and small Australian company that has caught the attention of a number of offshore and subsea industry heavyweights…

Glosten is growing its PelaStar partner network to prepare for Phase 2 of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Floating Offshore Wind ReadINess (FLOWIN) Prize. The expanded team will focus on identifying facilities and the requisite investment to enable U.S.-based platform fabrication and marine logistics capabilities; creating workforce development plans focused on local manufacturing in underserved communities; advancing engineering readiness for ultra-deepwater sites in the U.S.

With shipowners pressed to upgrade machinery to meet strict new emission targets, there’s much confusion with chatter surrounding ‘decarbonization’ and ‘future fuels’, solutions that don’t exist today – and may not exist in mass for another generation – cluttering the conversation. Enter Wabtec, formerly GE Transportation, which today offers a Tier 4 compliant engine with no need for urea. Is it the cheapest propulsion solution on the market? No. But the Pennsylvania-based engine builder mounts a compelling case for its 250MDC diesel engine based on performance…

A Finnish naval architecture and marine engineering firm said it has devised an initiative to limit the presence and spread of coronavirus and other pathogens on passenger ships and get the cruise sector back up and running.Foreship Business Development Director Mattias Jörgensen says that there is no “silver-bullet” solution for fighting viruses in the cruise industry. “However, by combining our own expertise with the knowledge of medical professionals and that of our extensive partner network…

German-based global cargo container shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd AG Hapag-Lloyd set to implement XVELA’s collaboration services to increase transparency throughout the transportation supply chain and more efficiently employ assets and resources.A press release from XVELA, the world’s first maritime business network for ocean carriers and terminal operators, said that both companies plan to initiate the global rollout on one of Hapag Lloyd’s premier Latin American services and will continue to broaden throughout its terminal partners. XVELA is an affiliate of Navis.This ‘Phase One’ rollout will leverage XVELA’s services to further enhance communication and collaboration between Hapag-Lloyd planners and terminal partners.

Loader crane manufacturer Hiab, part of Cargotec, has completed the acquisition of  Effer loader cranes business from the CTE group.According to a press release from Hiab, the signing of the transaction was announced on 31 July 2018. For Hiab as the global leader in on-road load handling solutions, this acquisition means a significant advancement in its ambition to be leader in cranes and preferred partner for its customers.Effer, headquartered in Minerbio, Italy, and with approximately 400 employees, is a renowned premium knuckle-boom crane manufacturer. Effer's product range includes truck loader cranes, special application truck cranes, and marine cranes, with particular recognition for heavy cranes >100 tm capacity.

Iridium Communications Inc. announced that seven additional service providers have signed agreements to provide the Iridium Certus service for maritime applications. Globecomm, Network Innovations, Pivotel, MVS USA, IEC-Telecom, MetOcean and Samsan Enterprise Company now further broaden the base of Iridium’s distribution for its next-generation L-band broadband service. These seven companies will play a critical role in delivering what will be the fastest and most competitive L-band satellite broadband solution to the maritime industry, enabling a truly global “connected ship” environment. This announcement comes shortly after Iridium became the second-ever recognized service provider for the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS)…

Satellite communications services provider Inmarsat says that "in an extraordinary level of service uptake surpassing expectations," its Fleet Xpress service has secured commitments covering in excess of 10,000 ships within 12 months of launch. Fleet Xpress delivers a fully integrated dual capability of high speed, high capacity services (Global Xpress) together with high reliability safety-level services (FleetBroadband) in a single commercial package available anywhere in the world. "The demand for Fleet Xpress has been unprecedented since its launch at the end of March 2016, demonstrating that the market has been truly ready for the connected ship and the network supporting maritime business applications," said Ronald Spithout, President Inmarsat Maritime.

Satlink Satellite Communications has entered into a new agreement with Inmarsat to integrate Fleet Xpress into Satlink’s existing service portfolio. Through the agreement, Satlink will bring more than 1,500 vessels to the Fleet Xpress service over a five-year period. Fleet Xpress, the Global Xpress maritime solution, sets a new standard for maritime global communications with crew welfare, regulatory and operational efficiency at its heart. The service, which is facilitating innovative ‘connected ship’ applications, delivers the highest levels of reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity and exceptional performance across all of the world’s oceans, with continuous connectivity and guaranteed performance.

Iridium Communications announced the successful launch of its first ten Iridium NEXT satellites. The satellites were delivered into low-Earth orbit approximately one hour after the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 9:54:39 a.m. PST. Iridium NEXT is the company’s next-generation satellite constellation, replacing and enhancing its existing network of low-Earth orbit satellites spanning the entire globe – the largest commercial satellite constellation in space.

INTERSCHALT maritime systems GmbH, a provider of services for communications, navigation and bridge equipment and the maker of voyage data recorder systems, has expanded its service network in South America through the addition of ITEC Electronica Maritima S.A.S, Colombia, and Telnav Telecomunicacoes Navais, Macaé, Brazil. As authorized service partners, ITEC and Telnav Telecom will from now on perform the installation, commissioning, retrofitting and maintenance of INTERSCHALT VDR systems as well as conduct annual VDR performance tests (APT) in accordance with IMO regulations.

Inmarsat announced that its partner Network Innovations (NI), together with Fusion Marine Technology, have signed a contract with Alaskan Leader Fisheries to install Fleet Xpress, Inmarsat’s new high-speed broadband maritime communications service, powered by Global Xpress (GX). The contract marks the first commission of Fleet Xpress in the remote and hostile waters of the Bering Sea. Fleet Xpress sets a new standard in broadband maritime communications, delivering the highest…

Satlink Satellite Communications Ltd, a satellite communication and technical services provider, announced that it has become an Inmarsat Partner for Fleet Xpress and FleetBroadband. As part of the partnership Satlink’s solutions will be integrated with Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress service to deliver value added services including its in-house developed Satbox, and Tracklite service that enhances connectivity to their existing global customer network involving merchant shipping, offshore, fishing and leisure markets. Socrates Theodossiou, joint Managing Director of The Tototheo Group said, “On-board bandwidth requirements keep growing, driving the satellite communications industry to integrate and develop in-house tailor made solutions for end-users.

RigNet, Inc., a global provider of remote managed offshore communications solutions, telecoms systems integration services and collaborative applications to the oil and gas industry, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Inmarsat to offer Fleet Xpress, the maritime version of its Global Xpress service, to the oil and gas maritime sector. The agreement will enable RigNet to extend high-speed communications to offshore service and supply vessels within the oil and gas industry across the globe. “RigNet differentiates itself in the oil and gas industry by providing fit-for-purpose technologies to help our energy customers operate remotely in a more productive, efficient and safe manner,” said Mark Slaughter, RigNet’s CEO and President.

Manufacturer of quality hydraulic steering actuators will join Kobelt to expand marine system offerings. Kobelt announced today the acquisition of Accu-Steer Inc., a US-based manufacturer of quality Hydraulic Steering Actuators. Founded by Bill Pulse and Paul Barber in 1993, Accu-Steer designs and builds a range of hydraulic power steering units. For over 22 years, the company has specialized in the design and manufacturing of reliable solutions for guiding and controlling motion on commercial vessels and pleasure craft. “The synergies between the Kobelt and Accu-Steer product lines make these two companies such a natural fit.” stated Bill Pulse, Accu-Steer President.

German KVM company Guntermann & Drunck GmbH (G&D) announced it will distribute its equipment from new U.S. subsidiary G&D North America Inc. in Miami, Fla. With the founding of its new subsidiary, G&D said it aims to increase its presence in the North American, South American and Canadian markets as G&D North America’s team will work to further expand the company’s existing partner network internationally. According to G&D, Miami’s geographical location is ideal for reaching both the northern and the southern part of the continent.

International developer of simulators and virtual training software, Rotterdam-based VSTEP, says it has appointed Joost van Ree as head of sales with responsibility for worldwide sales and growth of the company’s simulator products. Van Ree will be heading up the company’s global sales force for all its simulator products, including the NAUTIS maritime simulator and RescueSim Incident Command departments. VSTEP adds that Joost van Ree brings a career of over 10 years in Senior Sales, Business Development and Management positions with a maritime background to the company. He will also lead further expansion of the global sales & business development team and the VSTEP partner network. Pjotr van Schothorst, VSTEP Director: “We are very pleased that Joost van Ree has decided to join our team.

Transas Middle East say they have won a contract to re-equip and expand Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS) with new maritime simulators. The project includes relocation of existing navigational simulator NTPRO 5000 and Transas GMDSS Simulator 4000 (TGS 4000) Classroom and installation of the latest generation of the Transas Full Mission Ship Simulator NTPRO 5000 with 240 degree visualisation and real ship controls. The Transas NTPRO 5000 navigational simulator boasts visualisation…

Deltamarin Ltd to design five 38,000 deadweight ton (dwt) stainless steel parcel chemical tankers for Stolt Nielsen subsidiary. The contract, with Stolt Nielsen Ship Finance Ltd, a subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen Limited, is for the tankships to be built at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd. in China. The design contract includes Approval Design and 3D Modelling of cargo deck and engine room areas. The ships are designed to deliver substantial improvements in fuel efficiency…

Thuraya names Joseph R. Francis as Regional Director, North America to support the company's work in the government market sector. Mobile satellite services operator, Thuraya Telecommunications Company's new man will be based in the U.S. and will oversee business development and solidify Thuraya’s support of the government market. His areas of focus will include operations, management and support of service partners and identification of new market opportunities. Mr Francis has over a decade of experience in the satellite and aerospace industry, and has worked for companies such as Honeywell where he supported NASA programs and Loral. He joins Thuraya from SES where he held a variety of management and leadership roles focused on the U.S. Government market.

The latest additions are for a series of three firm ships plus options of B.Delta37 design as open hatch general cargo ship, which will be built at the Chinese CSC Jinling Shipyard. This will bring the number of firm B.Delta37 newbuilding orders to 21 units and the total number of newbuilding orders of different types of B.Delta designs to 38 for various shipowners. These about 38,300 tdw general cargo carriers have been ordered by the German shipowner Oldendorff Carriers GmbH & Co. The design is an amended version of the standard B.Delta37 design into an open hatch configuration. It features 40 tons SWL electro-hydraulic cranes, ice class 1C and is fully logsfitted. Cargo capacity 48,500 cu. Deadweight 38,300 metric tons at 10.5 m scantling draught.

The fight in the maritime satcom sector is somewhat analogous to the one fought by Apple and Microsoft in the early ‘80s: two tech companies, polar-opposite philosophies and a raging battle for market share. Market watchers  likely have noted an increased “competitive spirit” among providers of ship-to-shore communication services. •    the need to keep crew content with         Email, Internet & entertainment. A corporate driver for change has been Iridium, the McLean, VA-based…

The new orders are the first B. Delta 37 bulk carriers to be built at Chengxi shipyard and have been specifically amended to take into account specific requirements of China Navigation. Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding Heavy Industries Co. is currently building other B. Delta 37 handy-size bulk carriers for Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) and M.T.M. Ship Management Pte Ltd. / Strategic Shipping Inc. and additional shipbuilding contracts are expected to be signed within a few months. •    Length over all 180 m. •    Beam 30 m. •    Scantling draft 10.50 m. •    Deadweight 39,500 metric tonnes. •    Cargo cubic 48,500 m3. Deltamarin has focused on fuel efficiency in the designs.