Rutter Technologies News

Canadian based Rutter Technologies, a division of Rutter Inc. (TSX:RUT), and its Norwegian partner, Aptomar AS, announced orders for six Integrated Oil Spill Response and Management Systems. This comes on the heels of the recent certification of the technology by the Norwegian Clean Seas Association (NOFO) following the conclusion of trials in June. The Integrated Oil Spill Response and Management System provides operators with real-time information about the volume and thickest areas of an oil slick in order to maximize recovery efforts. It combines Rutter’s Sigma S6 radar processor and display with the Aptomar SECurus system. This integration gives the operator the ability make immediate decisions on oil slick detection both onboard vessels and onshore.

Rutter Inc. (TSX: RUT) announced that Canadian based Rutter Technologies, a division of Rutter Inc. (TSX:RUT), has now received official notification from the Norwegian Clean Seas Association (NOFO) confirming that its Sigma S6 Oil Spill Response Radar is compliant with the NOFO standard. The NOFO Standard applies to the design of and the equipment carriage requirements for oil spill response vessels operating on the Norwegian Continental shelf. Carriage of oil spill detection radar having particular performance characteristics is one of these requirements. Representing the culmination of a two year development program, the successful implementation and testing of the automatic detection, outlining, and tracking algorithm was the final step in achieving NOFO compliance.

There is a groundswell of commitment for mandating the installation of "black boxes" aboard ships, so that in the in the unlikely case of a disaster, history will not repeat itself. At an estimated cost of $75,000 to $150,000 per ship, however, safety will not come cheaply. If it has not already, in a few years time the name Erika will conjure many of the same emotions and financial achings as the name Valdez. The tanker that broke up and sank off the coast of France just prior to Christmas 1999 has resulted in a veritable groundswell of political and industry activity which will likely result in fundamental changes to the way in which ships — particularly those carrying oil products or hazardous materials — are outfitted and operated.

Since opening to deeper draft vessels in 1959, more than two billion tonnes of cargo estimated at $300b has moved along the St. Lawrence. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation continuously evaluates new technology in its quest to build upon its systems for the safe, reliable movement of vessels. Earlier this year, Rutter Technologies was successful in winning an order for a bridge-mounted radar system to track vessel traffic approaching that bridge. The requirement had some unique technical challenges, including the ability to be remotely monitored and controlled from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation's control centre some 60 kilometers away.

Rutter Technologies said that together with its German dealer and service agent, Pro Nautas B.V. it will deliver 50 Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) to the Buss Shipping Group. Headquartered in Leer, Germany, the maritime history of Hermann Buss GmbH & Cie KG goes back to the era of sailing ships. Today the Company is involved in shipping, ship management and chartering of container vessels on a worldwide basis and is certified in accordance with ISO 9002 and ISM standards.

Rutter Technologies is now delivering its sigma S6 Ice Navigator systems to UK based BP Shipping Ltd. Rutter’s sigma S6 Ice Navigator provides greatly enhanced radar imaging of sea ice conditions in the vicinity of a vessel, significantly improving the ability to navigate efficiently and safely through icy waters, day or night, irrespective of weather conditions. This additional level of detail enables the ship to identify and subsequently maneuver around difficult areas, saving both time and fuel while minimizing the potential for ice damage.

Rutter Technologies has won contracts to supply its Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) to the Norwegian Kristian Gerhard Jebsen (KGJS) fleet and to the Greek shipping group comprised of Kristen Navigation Inc., Anangel Maritime Services Inc, Alpha Tankers & Freighters International Ltd. Under two separate contracts KGJS will order 24 VDRs and the Greek fleet owners 56, for a total of 80 units. The VDR Market - International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations require certain classes of vessels to carry a voyage data recorder and Rutter estimates that there are 1,500 such vessels being built each year. Additionally, the IMO is requiring existing cargo vessels greater than 3,000 GT and travelling in international waters to be retrofitted with a VDR by 2010.

Rutter Technologies Inc. has received authority to affix the Mark of Conformity (wheelmark) that is granted by the EU to its voyage data recorders (VDRs). The wheelmark signifies that the Rutter VDR-100 is compliant with the EU Council Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment, also known as the Marine Equipment Directive (MED). Now that the first date for mandatory carriage has passed (July 1st, 2002), the VDR has moved from Annex 2 to Annex 1 of the MED and the wheelmark will be required to sell VDRs. The Rutter VDR-100 is the first voyage data recorder in the world to receive this distinction. The wheelmark was granted on the basis of…