Technology Helps News

U.S.-based maritime logistics and offshore services firm Crowley on Wednesday announced a new investment in Tugdock. Tugdock has developed "the world’s first road-transportable floating dry dock" known as the Tugdock Submersible Platform (TSP), to help advance offshore wind energy in the U.S.Crowley and Tugdock will explore the potential use of the platforms in locations such as the U.S. West Coast, where depth and conventional dry docks may be ill-suited for the logistics required.“This…

Louisiana-based shipbuilder eliminates preheat and saves time with Dynasty 400 TIG welders.As a well-known shipbuilder specializing in the design and production of vessels, Metal Shark Boats doesn’t shy away from tackling tough and diverse jobs. It’s a philosophy that has fueled the company’s growth from small shop to major industry player.Launched more than three decades ago as a small family-owned operation crafting custom fishing boats, the transition to Metal Shark Boats began…

Expanded use of converged security and information management platform will support physical and IT security program at DP World London Gateway. London Gateway, one of the U.K.’s major ports owned and operated by DP World, has implemented converged security and information management (CSIM) software port-wide to increase security and provide overall situational awareness capability. Situated on the north bank of the River Thames, the deep-sea container port is located next to Europe’s largest logistics park, providing shipping access to key U.K. consumer markets.

Technology helps maritime companies do more with less. But today, technological advances are outstripping legal developments. As a result, many marine-based businesses operate in a legal limbo with many lawyers and insurance professionals confused about what laws will apply to what claims. While sometimes philosophical, the problem of what law will apply becomes stark and very real when a worker is injured. We live in a golden age of maritime technological development as we learn to use our oceans, lakes, rivers and coastlines in new and unique ways.

Thermal Dynamics, an ESAB brand, announced that its new Cutmaster 60i handheld air plasma cutting system is now available for purchase through traditional and online welding distribution outlets. Cutmaster 60i weighs 37 lbs. and provides a rated output of 7.6 kW at 50 percent duty cycle at 60A. It produces a recommended cut of 5/8 in., has a maximum sever thickness of 1-1/2 in., and provides the fastest cut speed at any thickness material for its class. "We have designed the Cutmaster 60i so that it provides the industry’s highest power-to-weight ratio in its class…

For readers not familiar with Viega, please give a ‘birds eye’ view, putting the company in perspective in terms of the products and services you provide, global reach, etc. The Viega Group, with a tradition of innovation for more than 115 years, has more than 4,000 employees worldwide and is a leading manufacturers of pipe fitting installation technology for shipbuilding, industrial, commercial and residential projects. In the U.S., Viega LLC employs nearly 500 people and offers more than 3,000 products.

Vroon Offshore Service B.V. is a diversified international shipping company and is primarily active in and around the North Sea, with a fleet of 90 offshore-vessels. After installing Pronomar - MERUS rings on Vroon sister vessels VOS Sympathy, VOS Sweet and VOS Shine, Pronomar has also equipped VOS Pace with its Pronomar – MERUS rings. The VOS Pace is the first of six PX121-type Platform Supply Vessels, designed by ULSTEIN. The vessel has been constructed at Cosco Guandong Shipyard (China) and is intended for operation in European waters.

A.P. Moller-Maersk Group has entered an agreement with AT&T to use its Internet of Things (IoT) technology to connect its refrigerated containers. In what is reported to be one of the largest industrial IoT deployments of its kind, Maersk is working with AT&T to track and monitor the condition of refrigerated containers with perishable goods. Maersk has connected more than 290,000 of its refrigerated containers to the AT&T network. Each unit uses a remote container device (RCD) that has a 3G High Temperature SIM card…

In July, Jotun and Dalian Ocean Shipping Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Ocean Shipping Company, Cosco Group), celebrated the 10,000th application of SeaQuantum, Jotun’s premium antifouling, to their 297,336-dwt tanker, Cosrich Lake. According to Mr. Zhao Jinwen, Vice Managing Director COSCO DALIAN, SeaQuantum plays an important role in the company’s efforts to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. “We are very pleased to receive the 10,000th application of SeaQuantum,” he said. Geir Bøe, Jotun’s Vice President Marine Coatings says the Cosrich Lake project represents a genuine milestone for Jotun. “Based on proven performance and trust from our network of global customers…

In July, Jotun and Dalian Ocean Shipping Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Ocean Shipping Company, Cosco Group), celebrated the 10,000th application of SeaQuantum, Jotun’s premium antifouling, to its 297,336-dwt tanker, Cosrich Lake. According to Zhao Jinwen, Vice Managing Director COSCO DALIAN, SeaQuantum plays an important role in the company’s efforts to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. “COSCO DALIAN is committed to building the largest, specialized and most fuel-efficient fleet of bulk liquid carriers in China…

ENL Group and FURUNO Electric Co. Ltd of Japan have announced that FURUNO has increased its investment into the New Zealand company to a total of 29.5%. The new level of investment is an increase from the initial 10% announced in July 2014. ENL, founded in 1945, has an impressive and unbroken 70-year history in the marine electronics industry. The company has also represented FURUNO in the New Zealand market for over 50 years. ENL manufactures WASSP, their award winning multibeam sonar system…

Spliethoff Group, one of the largest ship management companies in the Netherlands, has awarded Imtech Marine a three-year extension contract for the supply of a broad-ranging Ship to Shore Communications service on the global VSAT network of Radio Holland. Radio Holland is Imtech Marine’s solution brand for Nav/Com and maintenance. Amsterdam-based Spliethoff Bevrachtingskantoor BV and Radio Holland have worked together for decades and 27 vessels are already connected. Following the agreement made on February 17th, a further 22 vessels will be added.

Multipurpose vessels, especially those that operate primarily at part loads, have been facing pressure when it comes to making money in today’s business environment. Returning to times of big profit margins will not happen soon without finding a radically different approach. Using permanent magnet technology for electric propulsion systems is a bold and proven way to save ship owners money due to lower fuel costs, less maintenance and fewer failures. As cost pressures mount and environmental regulations become more stringent, the need for a novel and smarter approach is ever more apparent.

The Japanese technology firms are using their experience in saving energy and in cloud technology to help farmers cope with changes in climate, cheaper imports and declining labor. Panasonic, Fujitsu and others looking for an opportunity in a niche market to offset the decline in demand for consumer electronics, are working in greenhouses and controlled by automatic sensors to ensure constant conditions to produce high quality vegetables all year fields . Fujitsu says its agricultural system Akisai cloud means users can sit behind a desk in Tokyo, or even in New York, while cultivating vegetables in Shizuoka, using a tablet to control sprinklers, fans and heaters in response to changes in the temperature and humidity detected by the sensors in fields or greenhouses.

One of the  new tools that engine builders are using these days to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is Valve Control Management (VCM), ABB’s variable valve train system, more so since duel-fuel engines become an increasingly popular choice by shipowners. Initially introduced in the shore-based gas plant sector, Christoph Rofka, Senior General Manager for New Business at ABB conjectured at that time and with an eye to the future:  “A technology like this speaks to the increasing trend to explore dual-fuel options and create solutions for gas. Basically the technology helps a turbocharger to manage air actively and is particularly effective for high-performance engines in which large operating ranges or rapid load responses are required such as tugboats…

Shipyard boss Dr. Herbert Aly discusses Blohm+Voss’ radical reorganization as well as the strategies to secure new orders. When I started my nautical career at Blohm+Voss at the beginning of the early 1960s, one could see on the southside of the river Elbe nine independent operating shipyards. Today only one remains: Blohm+Voss. More than 100 years experience, technical know-how and modern production technology helps to ensure the international global competitiveness of the City of Hamburg as an important site for shipbuilding.

When Joseph H. Pyne joined Dixie Carriers in 1978, little did he know the maritime juggernaut he would help to create. When he took over as president in 1984, the company owned about 20 boats and 50 barges, with a value of about $35m. Today, after nearly 30 years, 50 acquisitions, it has a market cap well in excess of $4B, and its fleet hovers around 350 boats and 950 barges, commanding approximately 35% of the U.S. market. Joseph H. Pyne, 65, recently spent some time with Maritime…

Si-Tex Marine Electronics now offers echosounding technology from Koden, expanding its line of FX Series sounders with the new CVS-FX2 and CVS-FX2 BB (Black Box) models. These are powerful professional-grade sounders engineered for a wide variety of commercial vessels and fishing applications, Si-Tex said. Their advanced fish-finding capabilities also make both new FX2 Series models suited for use on high-end sportfishing vessels, as well. The Koden CVS-FX2 features a large-format 15-inch color LCD display with an antireflective filter bonded directly to the screen…

Nor-Shipping announced the nominees for the 2013 Nor-Shipping Awards which recognize achievements in three different areas – energy efficiency, innovative ship design and young entrepreneurship. HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will present the awards when they are announced at the Opening Conference on June 4. The Energy Efficiency Award (previously Clean Ship Award) pays tribute to the ship with the greatest contribution towards energy efficiency in relation to its function or operation.

There has been a decided uptick in activities from Japan’s ClassNK in the last 18 months, as it continues to drive its world-leading tonnage numbers ever higher. Led by Chairman and President  Noboru Ueda, ClassNK has been making moves to extend its influence globally, including a big push for growth in the U.S. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News was able to visit with Mr. Ueda to discuss the society’s strategy going forward. We have watched with great interest the activities of ClassNK over the past year, as it has expanded its reach into the U.S.

A new method which simplifies drilling operations in unstable formations has been tested by Statoil on the Brage field. This “liner drilling” solution makes it possible to operate with a well liner attached directly to a steerable drillstring, and represents a global innovation. In conventional drilling, work has to halt while the string is pulled from the well and a liner set to prevent the borehole walls from collapsing. “Setting liner while drilling means we don’t have to leave the borehole open and minimises the risk of collapse,” explained Geir Slora, head of drilling and well at Statoil. In order to enhance the profitability of mature fields, Statoil is constantly working to improve their recovery factor. Liner drilling can contribute to these efforts.

Furuno, manufacturer of marine electronics, was honored with five awards at the 2009 National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) Convention in Sanibel, Fla. This year’s event, held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, celebrated the 38th anniversary of the NMEA awards. This year, 10 NMEA Awards were presented and half were received by Furuno. For the fourth straight year, Furuno received the award for Manufacturer of the Year - Support. Furuno has secured this award every year the category has been included on the ballot. Furuno took top honors in the Best Radar Category for the thirty-fourth consecutive year with the NavNet 3D DRS Ultra Hi-Definition Radar Series. The NavNet 3D DRS Radars come in a variety of sizes, from the 2.2 kW, 19-inch Radome to the 25 kW, 6 ft. Open Array.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center uses Adams software to simulate USN ship hull and deck equipment. The technology is used for conceptualization and design-for-manufacturability simulations. As a result, design cycles have been slashed by 50 percent. Hull and deck machinery equipment - such as watertight closures, cargo/weapons elevators, embarkation equipment, cranes, boat handling equipment, and habitability - is an integral part of a U.S. Navy ship mission. Whether moving ammunition or providing helicopter access, these systems must be fully operational when called upon. In addition, they must be safe to operate, maintainable by the ship crew, and affordable to the Navy throughout the equipment lifecycle.