Technology Application News

As the global cruise industry returns to service, DNV delivers a project for a UVD Robot from Green Instruments and prepares for further demand increase of its Product Assurance service tailored to infection prevention and control for the maritime industry as the benefit of the service is realized.COVID-19 hit the maritime industry hard, in particular, the cruise sector. Since the start of the pandemic, DNV had been called on by vessel owners and operators to support their efforts to address the safety of their passengers, crew, and destinations.

When discussing the arrival of autonomous workboats, many – especially those developing the technologies that enable them – say it’s is not a matter of if, but when. In fact, autonomous harbor tugs are already being put to the test in Singapore, where authorities hope to establish the technological infrastructure to enable fully autonomous ship operations. In the U.S., an autonomous vessel was shown to be able to respond to marine oil spills.But is autonomy really the future?

Commodity firms and banks have been diving into blockchain pilot schemes over the last two years but the new technology's application for most trading has likely been over-hyped, a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) said.Blockchain, originally the platform behind cryptocurrency Bitcoin, is viewed by some as a solution to inefficiencies, improving transparency and reducing to the risk of fraud. But BCG believes its potential has been exaggerated.A high-tech ledger, blockchain…

Classification society ClassNK has received authorization from the Liberian Registry to provide Liberian flagged vessels with electronic certificates for statutory surveys. ClassNK is the world’s first classification society to be authorized by the Liberian Registry to issue certificates in electronic form. In order to reduce the administrative burdens associated with the sending and onboard storing of numerous certificates, coupled with the goal of making certificate information easier to retrieve, ClassNK developed the “ClassNK e-Certificate” system.

Mascoat was founded in 1995 to provide a thermal barrier solution that has revolutionized how many vessel and ship manufacturers prevent condensation, radiant heat gain, and unwanted vibration. The company strived to independently validate the coatings’ abilities so that potential customers would have confidence in choosing a relatively new technology. Mascoat’s coatings are now widely accepted as a viable alternative to conventional thermal barrier and sound control methods in many areas of a vessel. Mascoat is currently offered in over 70 countries around the world.

Gibbs & Cox, Inc. announced the acquisition of Donald L. Blount and Associates, Inc. (DLBA), a Chesapeake, VA-based firm renowned for its naval architecture and marine engineering services for commercial and government clients world-wide. Biben emphasized Gibbs & Cox’s focus on expansion and innovation. “DLBA’s new association with Gibbs & Cox will significantly enhance DLBA’s depth and breadth in providing timely and quality high performance marine solutions to our world-wide market, while continuing to foster and maintain our important and close relationships with our clients,” said Don Blount, President, DLBA. “This new relationship with Gibbs & Cox will provide our clients with the assurance of new technology application and expert staff reach-back from one of the largest…

Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) said it is actively strengthening partnership in key areas of enhancing maritime transport safety. In 2014, meetings of four sections of the RS Scientific and Technical Council (STC) were held. Scientific and educational centers, shipbuilding and shiprepair yards, shipping companies and other organizations of the maritime industry participated in the RS Scientific and Technical Council sections: St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping, St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University (SMTU), Krylov State Scientific Center, OAO Rosmorport, OAO Severnaya Verf, OAO Admiralteiskie Verfi, Nevsky Shipyard, Shipbuilding & Shiprepair Technology Center.

The innovative, multipurpose, conventional propeller built, 20.4m in length overall, equipped with various machinery and systems that have never designed or build before, Line Handling Tug returns to UZMAR’s Izmit Shipyard Port on April 5, 2014, after the first stage of sea trials. The equipment adjustments, functional check of main systems and propulsion characteristics have confirmed the readiness of the ship. The launching ceremony of the Smart Tug KOC Musaned-2 took place on February 21, 2014. The ship was built by UZMAR Shipyard, also known as “Workboat and Tug Factory “of Turkey.

Fleet management solutions are designed to help cut costs associated with maintaining vessels by streamlining your workflow. FleetPlan manages risk, warranties and supports facility management. HMC’s FleetPlan optimizes fleet planning to reduce downtime. The current competitive market demands efficient operation at all times and rapidly develops to a stage of management science integrated within the business activities. Companies may require integrated fleet management processes…

The world’s demand for safe and clean energy continues to grow, with renewable sources playing an every greater role. Wind power generation, having expanding offshore, is now not only looking out but up. International renewable energy consultancy, GL Garrad Hassan, has issued the first market report which analyses the burgeoning new industry of High Altitude Wind Energy (HAWE). HAWE systems are designed to tap into the high velocity, stable air currents that exist at altitudes anywhere from 200m to 20 km above the earth; a source for generating cheaper and more abundant electricity than current wind technology. The report looks at the potential of high altitude winds as an energy source, the current technologies within the sector and their potential as mature systems.

High pressure waterjetting/waterblasting and industrial vacuum equipment play an integral role in industrial cleaning/recovery and surface preparation. The 2011 WJTA-IMCA Conference and Expo, to be held September 19-21, 2011, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, will focus on sharing information about the technology, equipment, and safety practices with industrial cleaning contractors and company representatives who contract for these services. “We invite all industrial cleaning contractors and end users who use the equipment or who are considering purchasing or renting the equipment to attend,” says association manager Ken Carroll.

APL - the global container shipping line - introduced active RFID technology to its Southern California marine terminal in an important innovation that will speed up cargo container processing. By introducing Real Time Locating System technology at its Global Gateway South (GGS) terminal, APL can reduce by as much as half a day or more the amount of time it takes to track a container in the yard and prepare it for transport. This not only improves terminal efficiency but, more importantly, helps improve on-time cargo delivery to customers. The innovation at GGS comes hard on the heels of the launch last week of an RFID test centre in Singapore - an initiative by NOL in partnership with Sun-Microsystems designed to evaluate RFID applications in a 'live' supply-chain environment.

Camcon Technology unveiled a new technology application designed to increase the volume of oil that can be recovered from the world's reservoirs as well as reduce operating costs. Developed specifically for the oil and gas industry, the Camcon Intelligent Gas Lift configuration is part of Camcon binary actuator Technology (BAT). The application aims to enhance the recovery of oil from reservoirs by introducing gas injection management capabilities to improve extraction flow. Oil fields start their lives with sufficient geo-pressure, allowing for efficient extraction of oil. However, as extraction proceeds and geo-pressure drops, artificial lift has to be employed. It is estimated that up to half the world's oil wells currently require artificial lift.

Unocal Corporation's Spirit Energy 76 unit said its 100 percent owned Vermilion 39 field recently set a new all-time production record. A redevelopment program that began last year allowed production from the 50-year-old field to reach 17,500 boepd at year end. In addition, the program allowed more than seven million boe in new reserves to be added to Spirit's 1999 ledger. The year-end rate was 10,000 boepd higher than when the redevelopment program began in April 1999, and production rates from the field are expected to continue to climb in the first quarter of 2000. Vermilion 39 (VE 39) is the second-oldest field in the Gulf of Mexico and has produced more than 285 million boe since production began there in 1951.