South Korean VDR Receives DNV Approval

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Echelon jointly announced the certification of SHI's LonWorks Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) by Det Norse Veritas (DNV). DNV approval is the last hurdle for receiving a Wheel Mark certification -- a European maritime equivalent of the CE Mark. DNV is also able to grant CE Mark certification. VDRs are a key entree into the lucrative ship control system market for Samsung Heavy Industries. "The LonWorks platform is a key component in our strategy to move into the European passenger ship market -- the world's largest and most lucrative," said Dr. Seuk-Kyung Sung, vice president & Ph.D., Digital Business Team, Samsung Heavy Industries Co, Ltd. "We chose to use the LONWORKS platform for the VDRs because it not only provides the robustness and reliability that international maritime laws dictate, but also allows us to come to market faster and at lower cost than our competitors." Dr. Seuk-Kyung Sung added, "Additionally, Samsung Heavy Industries has a focus on the Integrated System concept. We use satellite communications to tie our Integrated Control & Monitoring System (ICMS) and Integrated Navigation System (INS) products into a unified system that we call the Integrated System. Because of its widespread adoption, robustness, reliability, applicability for many types of applications and our experience working with it, we are moving both the ICMS and INS products to the LonWorks platform." IMO established a regulation stipulating that by July 1, 2002, all new ships must be equipped with Voyage Data Recording systems. Additionally, existing ships that use European ports must have VDRs. All passenger ships, including RoRo and ferries, are considered vessels with a priority need for VDRs in light of tragedies that have resulted in loss of life in the passenger ferry industry.