Systems Marine News

Seattle-based maritime data analytics company ioCurrents announced it has inked a partnership deal that makes marine power solutions provider MER Equipment an official reseller of its MarineInsight platform.MER Equipment, also based in Seattle, designs, builds, and supports propulsion systems, marine and industrial generators, power distribution systems, and hydraulic power units for commercial fishermen, passenger vessel fleets, and tug and tow companies.ioCurrents' MarineInsight data analytics platform provides real-time insights and predictive maintenance for maritime vessels.

Classification society ABS announced it is partnering with South Korean shipbuilders HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd. (HHI) to explore the technical feasibility for medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) power systems on ships.Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU), the partners will collaborate on design assessment, new technology qualification as well as the development of rule guidance to provide clear directives on technical requirements…

Shipyards across the U.S. are investing in new equipment to increase lift capacity, opening up the door for more projects and improved efficiency.Southern California-based Marine Group Boat Works, which performs a mix of yacht, commercial and government vessel repair work, in 2022 repowered its 665-ton Marine Travelift mobile boat hoist—the largest on the West Coast—with a Tier 4 John Deere engine. And earlier this year it was awarded a MARAD Small Shipyard Grant worth more than…

Hundested Propeller announced it has acquired Ocean Marine Systems Ltd (OMS) and with immediate effect welcomes the U.K. organization as a subsidiary.For over 100 years, Hundested Propeller has been a manufacturer of marine equipment and today it supplies complete controllable pitch propulsion systems, marine gearboxes, thrusters and sail drive solutions. The purchase of OMS will increase its thruster range, and OMS will continue its range of hydraulic cylinders and through-hull instrument deployment systems used in underwater security and seabed mapping applications.The former owners of OMS…

Ship designer and builder VARD said it has delivered a second expedition cruise vessel to Coral Expeditions of Australia.The newbuild, Coral Geographer, is ready to sail after arriving from Vard Vung Tau, VARD’s shipyard in Vietnam. Her maiden voyage with passengers will start from Cairns, Queensland, at the end of March.The vessel is the second VARD 6 01 ship ordered as part of Coral Expeditions' fleet expansion, following delivery of the sister ship Coral Adventurer in 2019.Developed by Vard Design in Norway in cooperation with the customer…

Swiss-based technology giant ABB will provide electrical, control, and telecommunication solutions for Malaysia-based Yinson's new FPSO - Anna Nery. Once delivered, the FPSO will be deployed at Petrobras' Marlim 2 oil field offshore Brazil."Leveraging its ABB Ability System 800xA control system with Select Input/Output (IO), ABB will take responsibility for integration engineering in the project, integrating all the production modules onboard the vessel into a combined Integrated Safety and Control System (ICSS)…

Marine propulsion systems company ZF has introduced an intelligent Condition Monitoring System for thrusters. The technology monitors the status of the thruster system and helps shipyards, shipping companies and fleet operators maintain the safety and efficiency of their ships as well as extend the service life of the propulsion system. In addition to that, a new oil cleaning system ensures oil quality and prolongs oil service life.ZF’s Condition Monitoring System is equipped with various sensors and an intelligent electronic evaluation unit.

Japan-based Yanmar has delivered two 6EY26DF dual-fuel commercial marine engines with the ability to use both heavy fuel oil (HFO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuels for the LNG tugboat. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) will take delivery of the vessel once construction is completed in February 2019 with the tugboat expected to commence operation in April 2019.Yanmar has also received orders for the LNG fuel tanks, buffer tanks, and gas combustion devices that make up the LNG fuel feed systems for the engines.The MOL-owned vessel will be manufactured by Kanagawa Dockyard Co., Ltd. and operated by Nihon Tug-Boat Co., Ltd. with Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. providing the LNG fuel.

Rolls-Royce said it has signed a deal with WestSea Yard, part of Martifer Group, to equip an expeditionary oceanic cruise ship for Portuguese based cruise company Mystic Cruises. The vessel, to be called the MS World Explorer, will be the company’s first expeditionary oceanic cruise ship. The MS World Explorer will offer expeditionary cruise itineraries in Antarctica from November to March and this new vessel’s inaugural Antarctic season is already fully chartered to, and being distributed globally by, Polar Cruise Company Quark Expeditions.

Rolls-Royce and the Technology Center for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a strategic partnership to develop smart ship technologies. The partners will work on world leading research to develop fundamental technologies, such as smart sensing, digital twinning and integrated modelling which are essential to the development of future marine data based solutions. These developments will be applied to technology demonstrators to show how they can be used by specific ship types.

Rolls-Royce said it has signed a deal with Swedish ferry company Stena Line AB to collaborate in the development of its first intelligent awareness system. Intelligent awareness systems will make vessels safer, easier and more efficient to operate by providing crew with an enhanced understanding of their vessel’s surroundings, according to Rolls-Royce. This will be achieved by fusing data from a range of sensors with information from existing ship systems; such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) and radar. Data from other sources, including global databases, will also have a role.

Rolls-Royce has announced the latest stage in its research and development plans to make remote and autonomous shipping a reality and reap the benefits of increasing digitalization in the marine industry. The company said it is looking to develop partnerships and opportunities with other organizations around the world to, create the capability, competencies and jobs to supply the technology and components required. Today, the latest part of that program has been confirmed with the announcement, in Finland, of a significant research grant by Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation.

General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) reported fourth-quarter 2016 earnings from continuing operations of $807 million, a 5.6 percent increase over fourth-quarter 2015, on revenue of $8.2 billion. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.62 compared to $2.40 in the year-ago quarter, a 9.2 percent increase. Full-year earnings from continuing operations were $3.1 billion, a 3.3 percent increase from 2015 on revenue of $31.4 billion. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were up 8.7 percent at $9.87 compared to $9.08 in 2015.

Caterpillar Inc. has named privately owned Puerto Rico-based company Rimco as the official Cat dealer for Cuba. Rimco, a longtime Cat partner, currently serves as the company’s dealer for Puerto Rico and the Eastern Caribbean. The move comes in anticipation of the U.S. lifting its embargo on trade with Cuba. Upon easing of trade restrictions, customers in Cuba will be able to purchase Cat products through Rimco in accordance with U.S. and Cuba regulations. Philip Kelliher, vice president with responsibility for the Americas & Europe Distribution Services Division, said, "Cuba needs access to the types of products that Caterpillar makes and, upon easing of trade restrictions, we look forward to providing the equipment needed to contribute to the building of Cuba's infrastructure.

Building on its Hempasil range of fouling release systems, marine coatings manufacturer Hempel has launched a new antifouling, Hempasil X3+, a biocide free, two-component, fouling release coating with a high solids content. Targetting improved fuel savings, Hempasil X3+ creates a smooth, low energy surface with fouling release properties via itd hydrogel micro layer that prevents fouling organisms from firmly adhering to the hull while retaining the self-cleaning properties of silicone. The product is a completely biocide free paint and has no impact on the marine environment which assists shipowners fulfil their obligations to the environment, Hempel said.

Building on the GLOBIC and DYNAMIC range of antifouling systems, marine coatings manufacturer Hempel launched two new antifouling products for drydockings and newbuildings. According to Hempel, the new antifoulings aim to deliver fuel savings up to 3% and provide added flexibility to shipowners and yards. GLOBIC 8000 is a new hydrolysing self-polishing antifouling product that fits between the existing GLOBIC 6000 and GLOBIC 9000 antifouling systems. It builds on GLOBIC technology and incorporates Hempel’s nano acrylate technology which delivers a fine polishing control mechanism to bring the integral biocides to the surface at a stable rate ensuring a clean hull.

Power management company Eaton will demonstrate its expanded ability to deliver electrical, explosion-proof and hydraulic equipment for the marine and offshore industry at the international maritime trade fair SMM 2014 from September 9-12 in Hamburg. Visitors to Eaton’s stand can learn about the company’s offerings that help shipbuilders use electrical, fluid and mechanical power more reliably, efficiently, safely and sustainably. SMM takes place every two years and Eaton has significantly broadened its portfolio for marine and offshore applications in that period.

At the end of 2013, the team of Sembawang Shipyard of Singapore and Teekay Shipping Australia will hand over the new scientific Research Vessel Investigator to her owners, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), an agency of the Federal Government of Australia. The Investigator will be among the most capable and quietest non-naval research vessels in the world. It will serve Australia in diverse scientific operations ranging over an area from the equator to the ice shelf of Antarctica and spanning almost 1/3rd of the circumference of the globe.

Did you participate in Science Fair(s) individually or in a team of up to three persons, or participate in experimental science or engineering projects in 2013 involving Marine Sciences? If so, why not enter the Education Committees of the American Salvage Association (ASA) and the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA competition to win a cash prize. Your project will be evaluated by both associations for awards with one submission. Papers and abstracts will be accepted from August 1, 2013 - September 15, 2013. Winners will be notified on or before October 15, 2013. Competition will be divided into 2 groups for prizes, High School 9-12th grades and Undergraduate students.

The Cavotec engineering group has won orders worth EUR 7.2 million for several of its Ports & Maritime technologies, including Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) systems, marine propulsion slipring systems, cable reels and high voltage cables for customers in the US, China, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. Cavotec has received two substantial orders from the Dalian Huarui conglomerate for a bulk handling application in Australia. The scope of these projects includes the manufacture and supply of cable reels, hose reels and hoses for five stacker/reclaimer machines and one ship loader, as well as high voltage power cables. This equipment will be used to process iron ore from the Roy Hill mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Lockheed Martin Canada, a major supplier of systems, software and professional services to the Royal Canadian Navy, will be in Saint John, Halifax and St. John’s this week to meet with companies that could become partners and suppliers on shipbuilding projects, including the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships and other future programs. In each location, Lockheed Martin officials will provide a briefing on how companies can prepare and position themselves for shipbuilding work through major contractors and then will conduct a series of one-on-one meetings to learn about the capabilities of many New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador based companies.

ASA and NAMEPA announce marine sciences project awards competition for high schools, colleges, and academies. The Education Committees of the American Salvage Association (ASA) together with the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) announce a special awards competition for marine science projects conducted at the high school and undergraduate college levels. This initiative is intended to highlight the importance of preserving the marine environment through the use of sound environmental practices…

General Dynamics has reported second-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $666 million, or $1.79 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared with 2010 second-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $651 million, or $1.68 per share fully diluted. Revenues in the quarter were $7.9 billion. Net earnings for the second quarter of 2011 were $653 million, compared to $648 million in the second quarter of 2010. Company-wide operating margins for the second quarter of 2011 were 12 percent, with particularly strong performance in the defense segments. Operating margins for Combat Systems and Information Systems and Technology grew when compared to the year-ago period, and Marine Systems margins remained steady at 10.2 percent.