Technology Solution News

RightShip, an ESG-focused digital maritime platform, has launched Zero Harm Innovation Partners program aimed at supporting the development and adoption of technologies dedicated to achieving a zero-harm maritime industry.According to RightShip, zero-harm maritime industry can be achieved by enabling enhanced collaboration and connection between shipowners and managers, and innovative technology providers.The program invites technology providers and innovators to showcase products on RightShip’s platform that contribute towards enabling a zero-harm maritime industry.Besides traction…

Realizing the full value of digital solutions far exceeds the capability of technology. The technology exists today to help offshore energy and maritime operators radically improve efficiency and cut costs in equal measure. The real trick to driving efficiencies is to take advantage of the latest technologies while at the same time negotiating the necessary culture change within individual organizations, to really reap the benefits.Harvest Technology Group is a relatively young and small Australian company that has caught the attention of a number of offshore and subsea industry heavyweights…

A new electrically powered, autonomously operated ferry service is slated to launch in the Stockholm city center this spring.Norwegian shipping company Torghatten plans to have services in place this spring in Riddarfjärden, between two inner-city quays. The ferry that will operate on the crossing is an autonomously operated electric vessel that runs on batteries. It has been designed and built by the Bröderna Aa shipyard in Hyen, Norway and the autonomous operation system is provided by technology supplier Zeabuz in Trondheim…

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract with Norwegian vessel operator Olympic to outfit two new Construction Service Operation Vessels with a technology suite. The contract is worth around NOK 64 million (around $6,4 million).Two KONGSBERG US 205 PM L FP L-drive azimuth thrusters will be situated fore and aft in the TWIN X-STERN double-ended hybrid-powered vessels."The KONGSBERG US thruster family has set the industry standards for decades being one of the company’s all-time best-selling propulsion products.

Korean Register (KR) announced it has awarded Singapore-based Marine Technology Solution Pte Ltd a type approval certificate for its direct and continuous CO2 emission measurement system called CARBON LENS.The type approval certificate, which was awarded based on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) NOx Technical Code and Guidelines from KR, is the first of its kind to be awarded to a manufacturer, KR said.CARBON LENS continuously analyzes and records the flow of emitted CO2 from each stack of a vessel, taking into account its temperature and exhaust pressure.

Norsepower said it has been granted approval in principle for its Rotor Sail technology solution from classification society, RINA.The Norsepower Rotor Sail solution is a modernized version of the Flettner rotor – a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind energy to propel a ship, allowing the main engine to be throttled back to improve fuel efficiency and to obtain a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, without compromising the service speed. According to Norsepower…

Applied Graphene Materials (AGM), the producer of specialty graphene nanoplatelet dispersions, announced the issuance of UK Patent No. GB2585648, covering the use of Graphene Nanoplatelets in water-based anti-corrosion protective coatings applications.According to AGM, raphene nanoplatelets have been shown to provide highly effective barrier properties, enhancing corrosion prevention in solvent-based paints through the use of high-performance dispersions. The introduction of Graphene…

A "ballast-water-free” liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker and feeder vessel concept from GTT and Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group Co. (HZ) has received approval in principle (AIP) from the classification societies China Classification Society (CCS) and DNV.The AiPs recognize the compliance of the vessel design with the rules and codes relating to ocean-going vessels, their construction and equipment.According to GTT, the “ballast-water-free” design fitted with its membrane system enables the construction of more economical and environmentally friendly vessels.With no ballast water on board…

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has secured a $40 million contract to supply an integrated technology solution for the first U.S.-built wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) - the Charybdis.The vessel, being built at Keppel AmFELS shipyard in the U.S., is being constructed for US energy company Dominion Energy. The vessel is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023 and will be among the largest of its kind.The new WTIV will be able to transport and install several sets of next-generation wind turbines and their foundations.

Wisconsin-based power solutions manufacturer Fairbanks Morse said it has delivered four FM 6L48/60CR engines to shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego for the newbuild USS John L. Canley (ESB 6). The ship is the sixth in the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD)/Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program and is designed to serve as a mobile sea base that provides access to critical infrastructure for the deployment of forces and supplies.The four FM 6L48/60CR engines are rated at 6,480 kW and will deliver a total of 25,920 kW of installed power.

Greek commercial ship management company Signal Maritime Services and tanker vessel trader Heidmar join forces to deliver commercial management to the global tanker market.Both companies have agreed a milestone partnership, under which Signal will manage a joint tanker fleet using its proprietary technology and analytical approach, said a press release.Signal’s Artificial-Intelligence-backed solution to pool management has consistently delivered superior earnings to its pool members since its launch in 2018.Commercial management of 18 Aframax vessels in Heidmar’s Sigma Pool will be handled by Signal with immediate effect, with a transition period of one month.Signal will also be working with the Heidmar team to manage the LR2 vessels in its Sigma Pool…

Semtech, Wilhelmsen and The Things Industries (TTI) have formed a partnership to use Semtech’s LoRa devices to help deliver what they describe as cost-effective, robust and proven IoT solutions to the maritime shipping industry.Wilhelmsen is a global maritime industry group founded in 1861. Semtech Corporation is a  supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms.Wilhelmsen has selected Semtech’s LoRa devices as the foundation for its new global 2.4GHz maritime IoT network to deliver an ecosystem of cost-effective, robust and proven IoT solutions for its diverse global customer base at “land and sea.”The global maritime shipping industry is expected to register a CAGR of 16.82% during the forecast period 2019-2024.

U.S. LNG equipment maker Chart Industries has received full notice to proceed (FNTP) regarding its production of cold boxes and brazed aluminium heat exchangers for Venture Global’s 10 million tpy Calcasieu Pass LNG export terminal project.The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Venture Global LNG request to proceed with full site preparation at its proposed 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) export terminal in Louisiana earlier this week.Venture Global recently announced its final investment decision (FID) and the closing of project financing for its Calcasieu Pass LNG facility and associated TransCameron pipeline in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.The proceeds of the debt and equity financing fully fund the balance of the construction and commissioning of Calcasieu Pass.

Maritime Blockchain Labs has announced the real-world testing phase for technology solution that enhances traceability and trust in bunker fuel supply chain. Maritime Blockchain Labs (MBL), a partnership set up between Lloyd’s Register Foundation and BLOC to explore the use of blockchain for the assurance and safety of critical infrastructure and drive new business models for the global maritime industry, announced today that its first demonstrator project, a fuel provenance register for the maritime sector that aims to provide trusted information about fuel origin…

As the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) celebrates its 125th Anniversary, the new executive director shares his thoughts on the path forward for a successful future.I’m Gene Sanders, and I have been given the enviable opportunity to take SNAME into its next phase in one the most important industries in the world! In my first few months as SNAME’s new Executive Director, I’ve been working with the Board and various committees on new ventures and directives…

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract worth approximately $13 million to equip a new heavy lift crane vessel for Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT) with an innovative technology suite. The vessel, a customized Ulstein Design & Solutions BV design, marks the entry of the Norway-based Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT) into the offshore renewables and installation market. Options exist for a further three vessels, but the first is currently under construction by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) and is scheduled to enter service in 2021.The 216.3m…

DNV GL has launched a digital hub in Singapore as part of the transformation of the oil and gas, maritime and energy industries toward digitalization, including increased cyber security and smart infrastructure.The new Singapore hub is called Digital Consulting and Smart Cities, and will include three teams covering smart cities, cyber security and digital development – including support for DNV GL’s open industry platform Veracity.The digital hub, part of DNV GL – Digital Solutions, is set up to work closely with local and regional authorities and industry players to improve the performance of assets and infrastructure and to increase…

Plan B Energy Storage (PBES), a providers of battery energy solutions for the marine market, announced the launch of its Harpoon battery product line. Harpoon Power 65 and Harpoon Energy 97 energy storage systems deliver a faster return on investment from battery technology, and utilize the latest advances in lithium-ion cell technology to deliver a safe, high quality and commercially viable clean technology solution for ship owners and operators. Specifically designed and suited for commercial applications and with up to 90…

Plan B Energy Storage (PBES) has announced a revolutionary new solution for enhancing the lifecycle benefits of marine battery systems. ‘CellSwap’ uses a new cost-effective method of retrofitting battery systems by replacing battery cells while leaving the rest of the installation intact. The process, called ‘re-coring’, saves up to 60 per cent of the costs of installing a new battery after a five year cycle, greatly enhancing lifecycle value. CellSwap is a marine industry first that takes a ‘serviceable’ approach to battery components. While conventional batteries have to be recycled in their entirety, CellSwap enables battery cells to be replaced while almost all other components are preserved, including electric and cooling components, cell barriers and master battery unit (MBU).

ABS held its annual Marine and Offshore Technical Committee Meetings in Houston in early May and addressed industry challenges and sharpen focus on future needs. “Collaborating with significant and recognized industry leaders representing ship owners, yards, operators, equipment manufacturers and vendors helps guide our research and development focus,” said ABS Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman. Fireman identified four key focus areas that will help industry deal with this new data-centric world: data collection, data security, data management and data analytics. Together, these areas make up ABS FutureClass™ - ABS’ approach to leveraging real-time data to improve decisions and increase operational efficiencies.

Shipping industry veteran Dan Gardner is director of Mobileweight, which helps to streamline processes and create efficiencies for the container shipping industry. The firm’s first-of-its-kind mobile application and online portal Mobileweight aims to offer a reliable, fast and easy way to comply with SOLAS and electronically file the VGM with ocean carriers. Gardner weighs in on the latest SOLAS VGM requirements which entered force on July 1, and discusses their potential impact across the container shipping sector.

ABB will deliver electrical propulsion and power systems to a new luxury superyacht. The 100+ meter LOA vessel, Zoza (working title), is scheduled for delivery in 2018 and will be built by Benetti shipyard in Livorno, Italy. The owner of the ship selected ABB’s Azipod propulsion at an early stage of the design process, after prioritizing energy efficiency and passenger comfort. The vessel will feature two Azipod C propulsion units which will bring maximum maneuverability whilst producing minimal noise and vibration. “ABB was chosen because of its vast experience in the passenger vessel field and global service network. We have worked with ABB in earlier projects and have become convinced of the many benefits of Azipod propulsion and life-long support for our yacht”…

WISTA UK, the Women in Shipping and Trade Association, isn't shy in hosting events that challenge its members to address the major issues affecting the shipping industry, and this was very much the case during the its most recent Forum. With the Paris hosting this week, The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 21 meeting, the Forum looked at the part the maritime sector plays in the climate change agenda. The subject of Thursday’s debate (26 November) was the divisive emissions problem, with the panel exploring potential solutions to curtail shipping’s emissions. Three different, highly informative speakers set the scene and challenged the audience to look at the issues from a number of perspectives.