Technology Sets Tone at Dynamic Positioning Conference

The Dynamic Positioning Committee of the Marine Technology Society held its fifth annual conference in Houston, September 18 to 19. Don Jacobsen, drilling and exploration manager, Shell Exploration and Production introduced the two-day conference and was followed by a line up of industry professionals who gave papers on a wide range of topics. These included many cutting-edge presentations on technological advances, sensors, thrusters, drives, operations, training, power plants and verification, testing and trials. Lunch presentations from vessel operators included a presentation by Royal Caribbean International on how DP is impacting cruise ship operations.

Leading manufacturing and service companies involved in various aspects of dynamic positioning exhibited their products and services, and were available throughout the two-day Conference to address attendees’ specific questions.

Despite the tragedies of the week prior to the Conference and the grounding of many domestic and international flights, the majority of the delegates registered for the event were still able to attend, coming from as far a field as New Zealand and Asia, and representing operators, drilling contractors, vessel owners and operators, ship builders and manufacturers. Many of these professionals have come to view the annual conference as a key source of new and cutting-edge technological information on DP related issues.