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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Roc News

08 Mar 2024

Autonomous Shipping Company Massterly Opens Operations Center in Norway

Left to right: Bjørn Jalving, CTO at Kongsberg Maritime; Christina Maria Bratli, Mayor of Horten Municipality, Norway; Tom Eystø, CEO at Massterly; Espen Gjerde, SVP at Wilhelmsen New Energy and Board Member at Massterly (Photo: Massterly)

Massterly has opened its new Remote Operation Center (ROC) in Horten, Norway as the company transitions from the testing phase to fully-fledged autonomous vessel operational capabilities."The opening of the ROC is a milestone in Massterly's history and represents a big step forward for autonomous shipping," said Tom Eystø, General Manager of Massterly, a jointly owned venture between Kongsberg Maritime and the Wilhelmsen Group formed in 2018. "With the support of our owners, including our partners ASKO…

29 Feb 2024

Germany Opens Remote-Controlled Center for Inland Shipping

© SEAFAR

SEAFAR, a Belgian technology and service provider for remote-controlled inland waterway shipping operations, has set up the first Remote Operations Center in Germany; a project completed in conjunction with HGK Shipping and Reederei Deymann.The Remote Operations Center, opened on February 28, 2024, enables captains to navigate vessels on inland waterways from dry land, a development seen as central to stemming problems from the shortage of specialist workers. The partners are working with the public authorities to use the permits…

19 Dec 2023

Anschütz Advances the Autonomous Bridge System

Anschütz

As part of the Clean Autonomous Public Transportation Network (CAPTN) initiative, Anschütz' research into autonomous systems and assistance systems onboard ships that support navigators has made progress in 2023. In the Remote Operating Centre (ROC) which is set up on land at Anschütz, the MV Wavelab -- a research catamaran that is operating on a maritime test field on the Kiel Fjord in Germany -- is monitored. Part of the ROC is a complete digital twin with all the data provided by the various existing and experimental sensors and systems on board the Wavelab.

27 Oct 2023

Samsung Heavy Industries and DNV in Autonomous Shipping Collaboration

Image caption: Signing ceremony (from left): Ducksoo Kim (SHI), Jaewoo Kim (SHI), Kyungwon Bae (SHI), Hyun Joe Kim (Director Autonomous Research Centre, SHI), Hwa Lyong Lee (Business Development Manager, DNV), Hanwee Low (DNV), Dong Ho Park ( DNV), Seunghyeon Yoo (DNV)

South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and leading classification society DNV have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Kormarine, committing to establishing SHI's state-of-the-art Remote Operation Centre (ROC) for real-time monitoring and control of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). The MOU will underpin DNV and Samsung Heavy Industries’ collaboration to drive innovation and redefine the future of marine transportation, DNV said.The joint venture seeks to develop a Remote Operation Center (ROC) for MASS…

12 Jun 2023

Recognizing and Meeting the Challenges of Autonomous Vessels

Recognizing and Meeting the Challenges of Autonomous Vessels

Uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), automated vessels, maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS), remote controlled vessels, and the employment of artificial intelligence and smart marine technology to navigate and operate civilian and military vessels have created a lively debate over utilizing and regulating such technology. Recent articles addressing artificial intelligence (AI) have questioned the value of experience and intuition versus computed logic based upon data and logarithmic differentiations.

02 Jun 2023

Barge Completes Autonomous Navigation Test in Busy Belgian Waterways

Credit: Martin Giskegjerde

Kongsberg Maritime said Friday it had completed a live trial of autonomous shipping technology in Bornem, Belgium, demonstrating the company's progress in fully autonomous systems.The test vessel, Zulu 4, an inland waterway barge owned by Blue Line Logistics NV, is equipped for remote-operated and autonomous transport demonstrations for the AUTOSHIP project, which is part of Horizon 2020, an EU research program.As part of the test, Zulu 4 maneuvered and navigated on unrestricted waterways, and it demonstrated berthing and unberthing capability.

26 May 2023

Cargo Vessel Completes Complex Autonomous Journey Off Coast of Norway

Eidsvaag Pioner vessel  ©Martin Giskegjerde via Kongsberg Maritime

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime said Friday it had successfully demonstrated a range of remote and autonomous technologies on a cargo vessel operating off the coast of Norway.The test cruise has been named one of the most complex autonomous journeys at sea so far, Kongsberg Maritime said.The Eidsvaag Pioner is one of the two vessels that are equipped for remote-operated and autonomous transport demonstrations for the AUTOSHIP project, which is part of Horizon 2020, an EU research program.Owned by the Eidsvaag shipping company…

17 Mar 2023

GEOS Wins UK, Norway Contracts for Energy Duchess Offshore Vessel

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Golden Energy Offshore Services AS (GEOS) has secured bring to work (B2W) contract for its offshore vessel  Energy Duchess and a medium-term contract in direct continuation.The 83.4-meter vessel of Ulstein PX121 design will be mobilized with a Z-Bridge Bring to Work system (B2W), and its role will be to accommodate and bring technicians and equipment to offshore work locations. Several of the vessel's MPSV capacities and capabilities will be utilized throughout, GEOS said.According to GEOS, the job is up to 14 days in duration, and mobilization in Rotterdam will start next week after the completion of its current spot job. GEOS website info shows the vessel is currently working for EnQuest Heather Ltd. on a contract set to expire on March 20.

29 Dec 2022

The More ‘Eyes On The Water’, The Better

An Ocean Aero Triton unmanned surface vessel operates alongside U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) in the Arabian Gulf, November 29, during Digital Horizon 2022. (Credit: Brandon Murphy / U.S. Army)

Manama, Bahrain -- Advancing maritime domain awareness in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) is a challenging task. Yet keeping the sea lanes open is critical for the region, for the U.S. and the world.U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) are all headquartered here in Bahrain, under the command of Vice Admiral Brad Cooper. U.S. Fifth Fleet oversees the operations for all U.S. naval forces in the Middle East.

27 Sep 2022

Inchcape Reopens Its Guam Office

Tugs attend an MR product tanker in the deep-water Port of Guam (Photo: Inchcape)

Having recently reopened its Guam office after a three-year hiatus using a partner agent, Inchcape Shipping Services resumed direct control over all operational matters on the Pacific island.Inchcape had a permanent presence in Guam since the 1990s but opted to close its office on the Pacific island in 2018. “Given the volume of business in Guam at that time, it made better financial sense to use a partner agent instead. However, the uptick in volumes after the pandemic justified the move to reopen.

10 May 2022

DB Schenker to Launch Un-Crewed Coastal Container Feeder in Norway

Credit: Naval Dynamics AS

Supply chain management and logistics solutions firm DB Schenker plans to build a fully-electric, zero-emission, un-crewed coastal container feeder to serve the route between Ikornnes quay and the Port of Ålesund in Norway. DB Schenker, and its cooperation partners, the furniture giant Ekornes and vessel designers Naval Dynamics, in addition to KONGSBERG and Massterly, aim to replace the traditional feeder vessels utilized along this stretch of the Norwegian coastline.The new autonomous and electric…

09 Jun 2021

Need a Survey? There’s a USV for That

Blue Essence hybrid USV. Image courtesy Fugro

While the adoption of unmanned/uncrewed surfaces vessels (USVs) was initially in defence, use of these low footprint systems has spread into other sectors, not least survey, and now the race is on for greater capability, endurance and autonomy. Elaine Maslin reports.After starting small, in inland waterways, use of USVs for survey operations has moved into coastal and now offshore waters. Given the extensive amount of seabed and rapid growth in offshore wind, there’s plenty of work out there for them to do.With the travel restrictions posed by Covid and increasing awareness of climate change…

15 Feb 2021

Autonomy: Inside the Building of Ocean Infinity’s Armada Fleet

Image Courtesy Ocean Infinity

Back in 2017, Ocean Infinity made a novel move; deploying six autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), instead of just one, from a single vessel, vastly increasing the ground that could be covered in a single survey. Now the firm is taking the use of remote, robotic systems a significant step further.Back in 2017, Ocean Infinity made a novel move; deploying six autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), instead of just one, from a single vessel, vastly increasing the ground that could be covered in a single survey.

10 Sep 2019

Parkland Acquires Tropic Oil Company

Calgary-based fuel and lubricant business firm Parkland Fuel Corp. announced that it is acquiring all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of U.S.-based Tropic Oil Co. Inc., as well as equity interests and the assets of certain of its affiliates.Parkland said the acquisition will be funded out of cash flow from operations and existing credit facility capacity.Parkland is one of North America and the Caribbean’s fastest growing independent suppliers and marketers of fuel and petroleum products.Tropic Oil, headquartered in Miami, transports, distributes and markets a full range of fuels, lubricants, and equipment to the marine, automotive, trucking and aviation industries.

31 Jul 2019

TGES Wins Taiwan Terminal FEED Work

Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions (TGES) has been awarded a deal by Taiwan's CPC Corporation (CPC) to conduct the front end engineering design (FEED) for an expansion project of its LNG receiving terminal at Yung An.According to a statement, TGES will carry out the FEED work this year. TGES claims gas demand in Taiwan is expected to increase quickly in coming years as gas fired power plants are being encouraged due to environmental concerns.Natural gas demand in Taiwan is expected to grow rapidly in coming years as promotes natural-gas fired power plants due to environmental concerns. Such movements have supported this CPC’s expansion…

03 Jul 2019

GEO's Twin PSVs Named in Norway

Norwegian offshore supply vessel provider Golden Energy Offshore (GEO) named two platform supply vessels (PSVs).The company's CEO Per Ivar Fagervoll said that the sister vessels Energy Empress and Energy Duchess were named on 29 June 2019. The naming ceremony was held on board the Energy Empress beneath the Seven Sisters waterfall in the Geiranger fjord.The vessels have been built at the Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipments Co., Ltd (ROC) yard, China.The platform supply vessels have been designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS and are based on Ulstein’s PX121 design. According to Ulstein, a total of thirty PX121 vessels have been built so far.Fagervoll said…

23 Apr 2019

World Navies: Taiwan develops indigenous combat capabilities

ROCS Yueh Fei (PFG-1106) is one of the ROCN’s surface combatants.  It was built in Taiwan to the U.S. Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry guided missile frigate design. (ROCN photo)

Navies operate on a spectrum between deterrence and defense, to include offensive operation, support of foreign policy, and power projection to civil affair and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Many have constabulary responsibilities, and it could be argued that, with the exception of the largest navies, most are more like a coast guard than a military force in their normal responsibilities.Every Navy is different. Yes, they all share similar challenges of acquisition…

30 Jul 2018

Shell Hires Velesto Energy for Malaysia Drilling

Velesto Energy was awarded a RM 101 million (USD 25 million) contract from Sarawak Shell Bhd (SSB) and Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Ltd (SSPC) for the provision of jack up drilling rig services.Velesto Energy was formerly known as UMW Oil & Gas Corp  and a wholly owned subsidiary Velesto Drilling Sdn Bhd (VED). SSB/SSPC are subsidiaries of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.Velesto said it would deploy the Naga 7 jack-up rig for the contract, with the start date to be between August 1, 2018, and  September 30, 2018.The Naga 7, designed by Gusto MSC, was built in China in 2015. It’s a three-legged jack-up capable of operating at water depths of up…

17 Oct 2017

DNV GL, Taiwan Pact for Offshore Wind

DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has signed an agreement with leading Taiwanese stakeholders to collaborate on offshore wind testing and certification to drive the expansion and facilitate the development of offshore wind in Taiwan. The regulations for certification will be headed by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection since it has been designated by the highest authority in Taiwan. Taiwan is one of the rising offshore wind markets in the world. With its long-term visibility in terms of policy, financial support and development, Taiwan is Asia’s second biggest offshore wind market after China.

20 Jun 2017

Rolls-Royce, Svitzer Trial Remote Controlled Tug Operations

Svitzer Hermod (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

Earlier this year in Copenhagen Harbor, the 28-meter-long tug Svitzer Hermod berthed alongside the quay, undocked, turned 360 degrees and sailed back to Svitzer headquarters before docking again, all under remote operation while the captain was stationed quayside at the vessel’s remote base at Svitzer HQ. Though a captain and crew remained on board throughout to ensure safe operation in the event of a system failure, the remotely controlled maneuvers demonstrated a “world first” for a commercial vessel, according to project partners Rolls-Royce and global towage operator Svitzer.

16 Feb 2015

Managers Bunking at U.S.Refineries, Strike Continues

U.S. oil refinery managers are going to the mats, literally, during the biggest fight with union workers in 35 years, bedding down for a third strike week that experts and some employees say raises concerns over safety and operations. At the 135,000 barrel-per-day refinery just outside of Toledo, Ohio, run by BP Plc and Husky Energy Inc , most of the nearly 300-person staff have been calling the refinery home since Feb. 9. For the last week, they have slept on recently purchased mattresses inside rental trailers to rapidly respond to any problems and avoid striking workers, sources say. On Tuesday, a van full of washing and drying machines gingerly cut through about a dozen United Steelworkers carrying pickets and walking a strike line at the facility's front gate.

30 Jun 2015

New Simulators for Dutch Inland Navigation Center

Maritieme Academie Holland purchased VSTEP Inland Vessel simulators for the new Inland Navigation Center, the first center to offer simulator training in accordance with CCNR inland simulator requirements. (Photo: VSTEP)

The Maritieme Academie Holland has selected VSTEP as simulator partner for its new Inland Navigation Center in Harlingen, signing a deal that includes the purchase of a Full Mission Inland Navigation Simulator and three Inland console trainers. The simulator center will be the first to provide simulator training in full accordance with the requirements for Inland simulators by the Central Commission for the Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR). Last month, Maritieme Academie Harlingen…

14 Nov 2014

ROC Chairman Retires

Mike Harding has resigned from the ROC Board of the Company with immediate effect from today. An Independent Non-executive Director since June 2012, Mr Harding was elected Chairman of ROC in December 2013. The Board of ROC thanks Mr Harding for his leadership and invaluable contribution to the Company as a Director and particularly as Chairman, especially through the demanding period of the last 12 months. During this time Mr Harding has presided over the proposed merger of ROC with Horizon Oil and the subsequent takeover bid by Fosun International which has delivered outstanding value to ROC shareholders. "Whilst the last 12 months have been very demanding, I am pleased to be leaving the Company in good shape and ready for a new era under the ownership of Fosun.