Updated Software News

Maritime technology company We4Sea is now officially certified by Verifavia for both IMO-DCS as EU-MRV emission monitoring, stated a press release.We4Sea developed a world’s first non-Capex fuel monitoring solution, to optimize the performance ánd reduce fuel consumption and emissions of seagoing ships. We4Sea collects vast amounts of operational data of a ship, such as position, draft, speed and heading. This data is sent to shore, where it is enriched with other data sources, such as weather conditions, wave heights, currents and wind.The proprietary Digital Twin technology of We4Sea transform this big data pool into actionable management information on how to optimize the use and configuration of a ship.

BIMCO and the international association for the marine electronics industry, CIRM (Comité International Radio-Maritime), have sent the industry’s first proposal for an industry-wide standard for software maintenance to the IMO for consideration. Without an industry-standard, BIMCO sees an increasing risk of severe incidents on ships, delays and costs to shipowners and cyber security problems. "We hope the entire industry will adopt these standards, to make ships safer, to prevent cyber security problems and to save money," says Angus Frew, Secretary General and CEO at BIMCO. "The industry has been living in a world of hardware. But software has been integrated into most physical equipment on the vessels…

“PrimeShip-HULL for Container Carriers” consists of prescriptive calculation software and direct strength assessment software and offers improvements in the quality and efficiency of ship design. The main features of the latest version are as follows. The prescriptive calculation software enables designers to perform assessments for structural strength requirements such as yield strength and fatigue strength assessments as specified in ClassNK’s Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships…

As part of the ongoing Blue Star Delos Renewable Energy Innovation Project, Eco Marine Power (EMP) stated that the Aquarius Management & Automation System (MAS) installed on Blue Star Delos has been updated with new fuel oil consumption (FOC) and emissions monitoring software. This updated software combined with the Aquarius MAS hardware allows for fuel consumption data from all flow meters on the ship to be displayed and logged in real-time. In addition CO2, NOx and SOx emissions are calculated based on the fuel type being used. Data is logged every minute and via a connection to a dedicated GPS unit, the ships location and speed is displayed and logged. A trip-meter is also available so that fuel consumption can be monitored for a specific time period or voyage.

With new rules regarding the declaration of the accurate gross mass of a packed containers due to enter force, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) answers the industry’s frequently asked questions (FAQ). What are the new rules? On July 1, 2016, new requirements to verify the gross mass of a packed container enter into force under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). Why have the requirements for verification of the gross mass of the container been introduced?

Marine electronics group Navico, a literal ‘house of brands’ for the recreational, sail, power and commercial marine markets, is making a strong push in the commercial sector with its Simrad brand. The ascension of Navico in recreational marine electronics business – an estimated $1 billion market globally – was fast and furious, growing from roughly 7% of the global market in 2005 to nearly 30% in 2007, standing steady at about 35% today, fueled by a strategy built on the acquisition of strong brands mixed with organic growth.

Kongsberg Maritime has delivered new fleet and vessel management functionality through a recent customized software update across Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S’ fleet and shore offices. The software roll-out took place during January 2016 and included updates to vessel and shore based modules covering maintenance, spare parts, information sharing, procurement and budgeting. The updated software was developed in close co-operation with NORDEN, an independent Danish shipping company operating a large global fleet of dry cargo vessels and product tankers.

The right product for the right application is a familiar claim from marine equipment supplier Simrad, but, when compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements is at stake, it is a call demanding an immediate response. Compliance with the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention on Electronic Chart Data and Information Systems (ECDIS) is now a matter of urgency. The mandatory phase-in for all internationally trading vessels to be fitted with an ECDIS using Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs) reached a watershed on July 1, 2015.

An increasing number of systems on ships and at marine facilities depend on cyber technologies for routine operations. While cyber technology has improved efficiencies in the marine industry and around the world, it has also created potential vulnerabilities. For example, the towboats that move goods through the Western Rivers and along our coasts rely heavily on electronic navigation systems, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to safely transit around riverbends, capes, and shoals.

Marine electronics group Navico is aiming for a top three position in the commercial maritime sector within 3-5 years. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News seeks to find out from Jose Herrero, MD,  the plans to accomplish the feat. Navico is a strong player in the recreational boating sector, claiming a 32% market share and well versed in investing in growth both organically and through acquisition, including a commitment to product development. Its ambitions in a crowded commercial sector will have to be backed by a continuation of this successful formula.

C-Nav, a division of C & C Technologies an Oceaneering International Company providing dynamic DGNSS Precise Point Positioning systems, has introduced a newly upgraded version of its C-Scape software. C-Scape provides independent, real-time monitoring of dynamic positioning (DP) systems, while simultaneously providing operations overview of other vessels infield and subsea infrastructures via multilayer AutoCAD files. C-Scape blends multiple sensor inputs for position quality assurance/quality control and is suitable for most dynamically positioned vessels, including drilling rigs and ships.

Buffalo Computer Graphics (BCG) Inc. released an updated version of its Virtual Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (VGMDSS) Simulation software. BCG’s VGMDSS software is comprised of emulations of commercially available components to make up a complete suite of virtual devices capable of conducting GMDSS training in all four sea areas. Designed to be installed on a Windows PC with a single or dual monitors, the VGMDSS software features all the required components for a Desktop GMDSS simulator.

Classification society ClassNK has released the latest version of its PrimeShip-GREEN/MinPower software. The software was originally developed by ClassNK and released in April 2014 to help shipyards comply with amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, specifically EEDI requirements, by calculating minimum propulsion power requirements in compliance with the IMO 2013 INTERIM GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING MINIMUM PROPULSION POWER TO MAINTAIN THE MANOEUVRABILITY OF SHIPS IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS.