Technology Trends News

The American Bureau of Shipping dominates the global market in the classification of Floating Production. Offshore Engineer recently sat with Matt Tremblay, ABS’ Vice President of Global Offshore Markets, at American Bureau of Shipping HQ in Houston for his insights on market drivers and technical trends in this dynamic market.Matt, big picture, how do you see the Floating Production market developing in the coming years?At a macro level, I think we're going to be supply limited over the next five years.

This is the dawning of the age of AI and Big Data, huge agglomerations of new and transformative energy; almost self-generating, always strengthening and pulling at the reins, seeking to break free and run, a prospect both exciting and terrifying. That image can imply a human is holding the reins. How quaint: these days, AI itself may be holding the reins.In a review of innovation in 2023 – across any industrial or economic sector, not just maritime – AI looms large, a game-changer equivalent to IBM’s programming advances in the 1940s.

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) and dry bulk owner Berge Bulk signed memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and advance the deployment of decarbonization technologies onboard dry bulk cargo vessels.Berge Bulk aims to be carbon-neutral by 2025, and to have a zero-carbon ocean-going dry bulk carrier by 2030. There are two elements of the joint development project. The first will be to evaluate and test emerging decarbonization technologies for use in the maritime sector. The second…

Finland-based marine engine and technology provider Wärtsilä has appointed Håkan Agnevall as its next president and CEO.Agnevall, who is currently president of Volvo's bus division, will start in his role no later than in April 2021, succeeding Jaakko Eskola, who will continue with the company as a senior advisor and executive until he retires on June 30, 2021, after 22 years with the group.Agnevall has been with the Volvo Group  since 2013. In the decade prior to that he held various leadership positions in Bombardier and in ABB…

Another year has passed since our last mapping of the maritime software landscape, and it is once again time to review the latest developments and trends in this space.Overall, 2019 was another turbulent year for most shipping markets, overshadowed by preparations for the IMO 2020 sulfur regulations, rising geopolitical tensions, the trade war between the USA and China, as well as natural disasters disrupting global supply chains. This article provides insight into the changes seen in the maritime software landscape under these turbulent conditions: On a high-level…

A new report has identified the ten technology trends, and their associated risks, that will shape industry and society in the coming decade.The rapid advancement of digitalization is behind many of the trends, profoundly challenging our personal and societal assumptions, according to DNV GL, the global risk management and quality assurance company.The report 'Technology Outlook 2030' said that the relationship between humans and technology is switching, with humans increasingly augmenting the decisions of artificial intelligence, rather than the other way around.For example, in the next decade there will be a greater proliferation of autonomous vehicles…

The U.S. offshore wind project development pipeline grew to a potential generating capacity of 25,824 MW across 13 states, including the Block Island Wind Farm commissioned in 2016.Projects totaling 21,225 MW have exclusive site control, meaning the developer has a lease or other contract to develop the site. Most of these projects are on the Eastern seaboard, with one in the Great Lakes, said Offshore Wind Technologies Market Report, prepared by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.California and Hawaii have several early-stage floating offshore wind projects in the planning phase, it said.The Department of the Interior’s Bureau…

Hybrid is not only here, it is growing, and with that growth it will soon reach far beyond coastal applications.For those who were around for the arrival of Y2K, you will remember the anticipation, preparation and perspiration as the maritime world waited for the failure of communications, navigation, security and machinery associated with the digital change of the clock. The forecasts, now historical urban legend, left the world without a digital catastrophe.We wait now for 2020 and the advent of the IMO maritime emissions regulations.

The global marine lubricants market is estimated to be USD 5.98 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 6.66 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 2.17% from 2018 to 2023.The growth of the market is driven by the emerging alternative technology trends, said a report by  Research and Markets.Also, rising infrastructure developments (port infrastructure) to strengthen the shipping industry globally are fueling trade activities, leading to the growth of marine lubricants market. However, fewer trade activities and the rising number of idle ships are restraining the market's growth.Mineral oil is the largest oil type segment of the global marine lubricants market. By oil type, the mineral oil segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global marine lubricants market in 2018.

E-navigation specialist NAVTOR said it has appointed Anders Holme for the role of Chief Technology Officer. Holme will manage teams that work across offices in Egersund, Norway, Singapore, Japan, Sweden, Russia, the U.S. and U.K. NAVTOR’s main software development takes place at the company’s head office in Egersund and its dedicated base in St Petersburg. “There is a growing appreciation within shipping that new technology can unlock real operational advantages and business opportunities,” Holme said.

ABS has hosted the inaugural meeting of the Hellenic Technical Committee (HTC) at its state-of-the-art Global Ship Systems Center (GSSC). “The Hellenic shipping community possesses a wealth of engineering knowledge and we are honored to assemble such a credentialed Technical Committee,” said ABS Europe Division Senior Vice President Vassilios Kroustallis. The HTC includes more than 20 key technical professionals across the maritime industry representing owners, operators and owner associations. The Committee brings together ABS and industry leaders to discuss key technical issues and developments as they pertain to ABS Rules. The HTC also analyzes technology trends, such as digitalization and cyber security, which are impacting the marine industry and vessel complexity.

Ship owners and operators, machinery OEMs and regulatory entities are embracing much needed technological innovation as demand grows in protecting machinery and communications on maritime assets. Cognitive analytics is a game-changing technology that is now more widely available to the maritime sector. This is the latest evolution of data analytics: from the “days of yore” of logging data in a logbook, to sensing data and connecting to a central console, transmitting data ashore and using artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced tools to develop a deep understanding of how machines behave.

Maritime professionals from all sectors operating sub IMO / sub 80 feet vessels are invited to participate in three one-day NEXT GENERATION Workshops. The dynamic program is being held at the Grand Harbour conference venue, overlooking the port of Southampton U.K., on October 24, 25 and 26, 2017. The NEXT GEN Workshops each address aspects of operational safety for vessels, along with the safety and welfare of their crew and passengers. The high level group of presenters brings a wide range of experience and expertise from sectors including workboats…

Ship owners can expect a rich digitalized offering from Kongsberg Group after the merger of its software-producing, oil-and-gas technology division; its maritime simulation (SIM) business and the company’s renewable energy department. Kongsberg Digital is the successor to these, and among the new entity’s cloudlike offerings are new ways to learn and train, as well as new SIM business models. Behind it all is the ultimate learning academy, one for all the world’s SIM and the Internet of Things — their trademarked digital “ecosystem”, Kognifai.

Rolls-Royce. The words have been used by many to signify excellence – though not with the company’s permission, of course. Rolls-Royce Marine is taking a leading position in developing and introducing the systems and technologies needed for the running of a successful business in the maritime industry of the 21st century. At a company presentation held in London earlier this year, Mikael Mäkinen, President of Rolls-Royce Marine, outlined the company’s vision for the future and its strategies to put these new systems based on new technologies into place.

In a new whitepaper -- Blueprint 2032: How Technology Transforms Ocean Container Shipping - INTTRA, the ocean container shipping industry's largest neutral electronic transaction platform, reports that the pace of technology innovation is accelerating as businesses seek new and more efficient ways to optimize. "Digitization is now a competitive necessity," said John Fay, CEO of INTTRA. "We've reached a tipping point in the global shipping industry when information technology is now the primary means for CEOs and their companies to achieve and increase long-term profitability.

In conjunction with Seatrade Cruise Global, DNV GL has published the classification society’s latest Cruise Update magazine. It features outstanding projects with customers, interviews with industry leaders, and technology trends in the cruise sector. “The cruise industry promises to set new records once again this year, growing at an unprecedented rate, with many new vessels being commissioned or planned,” says Hans Eivind Siewers, Segment Director Passenger Ships and Ro-Ro at DNV GL – Maritime. “As we see it, three factors will determine the future success of our industry: innovation, safety and environmental performance. This issue…

Esa Jokioinen leads Rolls-Royce Marine’s Blue Ocean Team, a team that looks five to 10 years into the future to evaluate evolving technology trends, helping to determine where the company will invest. Jokioinen sat in Maritime Reporter & Engineering News’ New York City headquarters to discuss the look of maritime’s future: All arrows point toward digitalization. When Esa Jokioinen and his Rolls-Royce Blue Ocean Team look at future technology trajectory, he admits that there are some things related to energy storage (batteries), new fuel and exhaust cleaning that hold promise.

(PRESS RELEASE) ABS signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Marine Design & Research Institute of China (MARIC) to expand collaboration, focusing on operational efficiency and environmental performance in both the offshore and marine sectors. ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman and MARIC President Wenhua Xing signed the agreement at the MARIC premises in Shanghai, China. "This Agreement aligns the core competencies of ABS and MARIC and allows us to work together on designs that meet environmental regulations and technology trends," Fireman says. Through this agreement, ABS and MARIC will collaborate on technical support, classification, certification, training and statutory guidance for merchant vessels and offshore units.

‘Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion’ is a fast moving networking event that focuses on viable solutions for vessels of all sizes. More than 20 expert speakers will highlight a range of unique opportunities. The program covers three phases; ‘Here and Now Technology’ - considers how the U.K. and global marine industry can utilize the latest engineering. ‘Next Generation Systems’ - are within a few years of commercial release. ‘Innovation and Future Possibilities’ - are pushing the boundaries far and wide. The event is being held at the Grand Harbour, Southampton from April 26-28, 2016.

In a concerted drive to find smart solutions to safely reduce complexities and cost in the North American oil and gas industry, DNV GL is leading seven new joint industry projects (JIP) from the region in 2016. The initiatives will support overall efficiency efforts in the pipelines, wells and subsea, umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) sectors. Key focus areas for DNV GL in 2016 will be centered around solving challenges around standardization, operations (OPEX services), safety, environment, regulations and performance. “Our collaborative projects are pivotal in strengthening the industry throughout the Americas and helping it move forward and out of the difficulties we are currently facing,” said Peter Bjerager, Executive vice president, Oil & Gas – DNV GL Region Americas.

The Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion event was held in the Grand Harbour conference venue looking out over the Port of Southampton where cruise ships, oil tankers and the world's largest container vessels ply their global trade. The event brought together a broad and unique marine industry group from the UK, EU and US. A dynamic program, including three keynote speakers and 20 presenters, highlighted the latest technology and opportunities for the maritime sector worldwide – and the future for next generation marine power certainly looks bright.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Shipping in Changing Climates, a $4m multi-university and cross industry research project funded by EPRSC, have today released Low Carbon Pathways 2050 – a new study that details a number of potential pathways for the shipping industry’s transition to a low carbon future. The report underlines the need for shipping to start its decarbonization imminently – as stringency increases over time, increasingly high-cost mitigation steps are required. The later we leave decarbonization, the more rapid and potentially disruptive it will be for shipping.