Software Developer News

The goal of engineering analysis is to use models of the real world to simulate and predict the performance of a design with confidence, explore design modifications, and inform downstream stakeholders—the owners, builders, operators, and passengers—with knowledge that the design works as intended before it is built. To do so, we need models that characterize the physical world. That is easier said than done, but it underpins much of what we do as engineers. This is precisely…

Classification society Bureau Veritas has successfully reviewed a 3D design of a 2500 m³ hopper dredger from Damen Shipyards, being a step to granting it approval in principle. The pilot project for 3D model-based class approval is meant to pave the way toward using three dimensional computer designs as standard procedure to achieve class notation for seagoing vessels.Vessel steel hull Design evaluation based on 3D models in parallel to its classification review process has become possible thanks to the new data exchange format - OCX.

Canadian firm Autoship Systems Corporation (ASC) in cooperation with its Norwegian reseller, Coastdesign Norway (CDN), has developed an offshore stability software for jack-up vessels called - the Autoload® - Jack Up version and has won a contract to install the solution onboard Seaway 7’s first self-propelled jack-up vessel, VIND 1. Autoload is also installed onboard their entire fleet of vessels which include open deck semi-submersible heavy transportation vessels, cable lay, heavy lift crane installation, and Installation support vessels, Autoship Systems said.

In the small city of Houma, Louisiana, about an hour southwest of New Orleans, volunteer rescue workers with a “Cajun Navy” group struggled in the wee hours of Monday to navigate streets strewn with trees toppled by Hurricane Ida's ferocious winds.The group had sped down from Lafayette after getting reports of people trapped by the fierce storm's floodwaters. Rob Gaudet, a 52-year-old software developer from Baton Rouge, fielded dozens of distress calls about hard-hit communities."If they can get on the roof, that’s better.

Marine operations software developer Helm Operations and AIS services provider ShipTracks launched a new set of integrated features for harbor docking companies designed to streamline and automate the creation of towage orders directly from the AIS system.By linking Helm CONNECT Jobs dispatch software and ShipTracks’ AIS technology, operators are able to achieve greater operational awareness, reduced workloads for dispatchers and increased revenue as they identify and capture jobs that were previously lost to their competitors…

UniSea AS, a software developer and consultancy specializing in solutions for the shipping industry, has been selected by Tidewater Inc. as its partner in the digitalizing and standardizing of Tidewater’s business processes related to health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) and operations. The UniSea software suite will be implemented on all Tidewater vessels and in all offices in one of the largest contract’s in UniSea’s 21-year history.Tidewater Inc., headquartered in Houston…

MAN Energy Solutions has selected Nova Scotia-based simulation and training software developer, Modest Tree, to develop a virtual reality training solution for the engines onboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships under construction at Halifax Shipyard.The virtual reality training solution, the first of its kind in the marine sector, will train the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy to operate and maintain the ship’s engines.Each Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship will be propelled by two MAN Energy Solutions 4.5 megawatt diesel/electric propulsion engines.MAN Energy Solutions is a subcontractor of GE Canada, the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship Integrated Propulsion System Integrator.

The marine software developer looks to accelerate growth with new backing from global technology firm.Marine operations software company Helm Operations has been acquired by Toronto-based Volaris Group Inc. (“Volaris”). Volaris specializes in strengthening and growing technology companies and is a leader in the marine software space. Founded in 1999, Helm Operations is widely known as a developer of marine operations software for the workboat market. Following an acquisition by ClassNK in 2014, the company released its newest platform, Helm CONNECT, in 2016, reportedly achieving measurable growth in just two years. The firm is heavily involved in the subchapter M implementation markets on U.S.

General HydroStatics is no longer just about hydrostatics, and will soon offer capabilities in the world of hydrodynamics with the introduction of a long awaited addition to the GHS product family: an optional seakeeping module. Adding a seakeeping module means run files may now include seakeeping capabilities by adding a couple new commands and existing geometry files (.GF) can be used for the seakeeping analysis with little or no modification. Integration with GHS also reduces required user input, getting answers faster while increasing user control.

Management software: vendors, consultants, class strive to provide turnkey service. Unless you’ve been lost at sea for the last few years, you know about Subchapter M. You know the June publication of the U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations for ensuring minimum safety standards on tows and tugs, which will extend inspection requirements to the majority of these vessels for the first time, moved the long-awaited, and in some cases, dreaded program from the haze of eventually out into the cold light of day.

Software developer Helm Operations announced that it will launch its innovative Subchapter M compliance software, Helm CONNECT Compliance, at the International Workboat Show (IWS) in New Orleans from November 30 – December 2. Helm has been selling its Compliance software since Sub M came into effect in the summer of 2016. However this is the first industry specific event for towing vessel operators where Helm will be able to showcase its ground-breaking software. Rodger Banister, VP of Marketing at Helm is excited about being able to demonstrate the flexibility of Helm’s software to a wide audience at IWS. “This year at IWS we will be showing off the power of mobility in Helm CONNECT…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd has announced that its group's core dry-cargo ship management company, MOL Ship Management Co., Ltd. has jointly developed with maritime software developer Spectral Technologies, Inc. a new onboard management software program called "WRH5" used to manage crews' work and rest hours. MOLSHIP will introduce "WRH5" on its managed vessels. In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai  issued a statement of fact that "WRH5"'s support functions are in conformity with international labor regulations. - Conformity with MLC2006 and the Japanese Mariners Law. "WRH5" supports the latest provisions of MLC-Maritime Labor Convention, 2006, of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and Japanese Mariners Law. -Meticulously formulate onboard working plans.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that its group’s core dry-cargo ship management company, MOL Ship Management Co., Ltd. (MOLSHIP; President: Toshikazu Inaoka; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) has jointly developed with maritime software developer Spectral Technologies, Inc. (President and CEO: Kjell B. Sundberg; Headquarters: Manila, Republic of the Philippines) a new onboard management software program called “WRH5” used to manage crews’ work and rest hours. MOLSHIP will introduce “WRH5” on its managed vessels. In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK; Chairman and President: Koichi Fujiwara; Headquarters:Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) issued a statement of fact that “WRH5”’s support functions are in conformity with international labor regulations.

The global company ESI Group, a virtual prototyping and testing software developer, has joined efforts with SENER, a company in marine engineering and the development of CAD/CAM system for the shipbuilding industry, with the aim of marketing and integrating their respective solutions, IC.IDO and FORAN. Nowadays shipbuilding is dominated by vessels with highly complex and sophisticated designs. There is also a growing trend of distributing the engineering tasks between multiple remote agents, and a need to produce integrated designs for effective ships with no margin of error.

Two new mobile apps designed for Sailors to complete required Navy General Military Training (GMT) on Records Management (RM) and Privacy and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Awareness became available April 19. PII and RM are annual GMT Standardized Core Training (SCT) requirements. PII must be completed by August 31 every year. The records management training app has been updated to include current topics and new focus areas. RM must be completed by December 31 every year. The apps are designed to provide Sailors with anytime, anywhere access to the mandatory training as well as links to key resources. "The mobile apps are an extension of our training to offer alternate methods to our workforce," said Rear Adm. Mike White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command.

Software developer Helm Operations announced that over the last two months it has signed on 15 more commercial maritime companies to its planned maintenance and compliance software, Helm CONNECT. The companies come from a variety of commercial maritime industries, such as the fishing, passenger vessel, research vessel, inland / coastal barging and pilotage vessel sectors. The reason for the broad appeal of Helm CONNECT is its simplicity, the developer said. “Businesses are craving software that’s easy for their people to use,” explained Rodger Banister VP Marketing at Helm Operations. “They want software at work to be as easy to understand…

The way in which users will be able to buy and access Autodesk software is changing. To help users better understand these changes and their implications, software developer SSI will host a webinar October 13. Starting January 31 users will no longer be able to purchase new perpetual licenses of individual products, and beginning July 31 users will no longer be able to purchase new perpetual licenses of both standalone and network licenses of Autodesk Design & Creation Suites. The new mandatory Autodesk Desktop Subscription model can provide flexibility and cost savings when requirements are uncertain from month to month. However, any kind of demand certainty for the foreseeable future can enable savings by potentially stocking up on perpetual licenses.

The USCG has poised e-logs and SaaS to transform U.S.-flagged shipboard recordkeeping. The United States Coast Guard frequently appears behind the times when it comes to rulemaking involving shipboard technological advances. Often, by the time the USCG has a Final Rule approved for publication in the Code of Federal Regulations, the technology which that Final Rule was expected to address has been superseded by a newer form of technology. Not so, however, with electronic recordkeeping (e-logbooks) and Software as a Service (SaaS). Currently the USCG offers the “Official Logbook 706-B” in manual form free of charge to any marine operator who requests one. The 706-B is the basic pen & ink ship’s log.

Today, software developer Helm Operations announced that it has signed Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) Canada to its Helm CONNECT Preventive Maintenance software. PPA operates five pilot boats and provides complete pilotage services for all ports on Canada’s west coast including Vancouver and those within the Fraser River. Ekkebus continues, touching on a core element of Helm software’s purpose. Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations is proud to have Helm CONNECT serve PPA and says. Helm CONNECT is designed to be intuitive in every way. Helm works closely with workboat personnel when building the product through direct consultation with real life users, like port engineers, crew and shore-based personnel.

Fleet management software developer Tero Marine has served the shipping industry for nearly three decades with a product range led by its software suite TM Master, now a leading fleet management brand with more than 2,000 licenses worldwide. The Bergen, Norway-based company and its fully integrated marine information system TM Master have managed to stay competitive amidst an explosion of companies providing fleet management and software solutions to the maritime market. Serving a clientele that includes navy…

Last September, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) unsettled much of the U.S. maritime industry when he dismissed with prejudice a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) action to revoke a Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC) despite his finding that the mariner’s urine had tested positive for cocaine. The case is referred to as USCG v. Hopper, SR-2014-14. American Maritime Safety, Inc. (AMS) considered the Hopper outcome to be a bad decision, both because it imposes harsh evidentiary consequences…

Software developer Helm Operations has signed on offshore rig moving and ocean towing services company Louisiana International Marine (LIM) to its Helm CONNECT Preventive Maintenance software. Louisiana International Marine operates six tugs that are ABS classed hull and machinery, A1 towing, and ISM certified. "We chose Helm CONNECT because [Helm] made it easy to do business with them. First off, their preventive maintenance and compliance software is the easiest we've ever seen, and secondly we didn't have to wait weeks to get a price quote from them,” said Anthony Roberts, Manager of Marine Traffic / Operations for Louisiana International Marine. Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations said he was excited to be working with Louisiana International Marine.

Profitability in shipping goes up and down in waves. 2012 wasn’t too bad, with annual operating costs shrinking by 1.8% on average versus 2011, when average costs rose 2.1%, but 2013 weighed anchor in the losses column for many. And 2014? So far the waters are choppy, with the overall mood up in May but dipping down in the quarter that ended in August, according to Moore Stephen’s quarterly Shipping Confidence Survey. Much of what worries the industry concerns issues over which it has little to no control – oversupply…