Danelec Debuts New ECDIS Platform at Nor-Shipping

Posted by Eric Haun June 1, 2015

Danelec Marine announced the introduction of its new Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) platform for marine navigation, shown for the first time at the Nor-Shipping 2015 maritime trade fair in Oslo, Norway, this week.

Danelec said its new ECDIS platform incorporates new Linux-based application software, an intuitive easy-to-learn user interface, industry-leading cartography solutions, ruggedized low-power LED display monitors and Danelec’s exclusive SoftWare Advanced Protection (SWAP) technology for shipboard service.

The new system is designed around a custom-built computer running on Linux, which is more stable, robust and secure than Windows-based PCs. The computer has been designed, tested and built for the marine environment. The Linux-based system requires less processing power or memory, leaving more room for chart storage capacity. It also provides resistance to viruses and malware.

The user interface optimizes operation and reduces training time for watchstanders. The maximum menu depth is three levels, including the main and sub-menus. This means all important functions, such as route planning or modification, can be accessed with minimal clicks and drag-and-drop functionality. Danelec offers a wide range of online, classroom and on-board training options to meet the IMO requirement for type-specific familiarization.

The Danelec new ECDIS platform runs all official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), including Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS), in S-57 and S-63 formats, as well as NAVTOR System Electronic Navigational Charts (SENC) data. Additional overlays, such as Admiralty Information Overlay, NAVTEX, radar and AIS are also supported.

Users can take advantage of a “Pay-as-You-Sail” (PAYS) chart-licensing scheme, ensuring all charts are available at all times and eliminating the need to order and manage an electronic chart portfolio on board.

The high-resolution LED displays are designed specifically for marine use, with military-grade construction and IP42-rated enclosure, vibration-dampening mounts and the lowest power consumption in the market – yielding a very low heat emission and extended lifetime. The monitors are available in 19-, 24- and 27-inch models.

The SWAP technology, pioneered in Danelec’s Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs), provides faster, easier and less expensive shipboard service. All programs, application software, configuration files, cartography, routes and other data are stored directly onto a 16-gigabyte memory card, which can be removed from the ECDIS unit and inserted into a replacement unit onboard the ship. The new ECDIS is fully up and running within minutes, and the old unit can be taken off the ship for troubleshooting, repair, inspection and testing to meet Danelec’s quality standards.

The new ECDIS platform complies with all applicable current and prospective IMO and IEC standards, including IEC 61162-450, which is an essential part of the upcoming new ECDIS standard IEC 61174 Ed. 4. Existing passenger and tanker ships and newly-built cargo ships are currently required to carry a type-approved ECDIS. The carriage requirement is being extended to existing cargo ships over the next several years.

“We have designed and built the new ECDIS platform to meet the same quality, dependability, robustness and serviceability we pioneered with our VDRs, which have set a new standard for the maritime industry,” said Hans Ottosen, CEO of Danelec Marine. “Together, the new ECDIS platform and our DM100 VDR systems provide an unbeatable combination of integrated e-navigation and ship-to-shore data connectivity for enhanced safety and efficiency in ship operations.”