Wärtsilä moves towards remote guidance for vessel repair and maintenance

Wärtsilä’s remote guidance service also proved successful during a demonstration in the TT-Lines office
Wärtsilä’s remote guidance service also proved successful during a demonstration in the TT-Lines office

Wärtsilä has successfully tested its remote guidance service, so claiming to have created ‘an entirely new dimension in vessel repair and maintenance operations’.

Through real-time communication using voice-controlled Augmented Reality (AR) wearables and remote guidance software, ship crew members, field service engineers and shipyard personnel can communicate with shore-based experts anywhere in the world.

The tests were carried out onboard the Huckleberry Finn, a RoRo ferry operated by TT-Lines, while sailing between Trelleborg, Sweden and Travemünde, Germany.

Simulated remote guidance service situations were carried out on the ship’s navigation equipment on the bridge and on the shaft line seals and bearings in the engine room.

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Spirit Yachts set to launch its first electric yacht in early 2020

The yacht’s eco credentials continue below decks with a reversible heating/air conditioning Webasto pump, that will heat and cool the yacht using minimal power.
The yacht’s eco credentials continue below decks with a reversible heating/air conditioning Webasto pump, that will heat and cool the yacht using minimal power.

Spirit Yachts has begun construction of its first electric yacht, a 13.4m vessel due to launch early 2020.

The Spirit 44E, has two solar panels integrated into her deck, colour matched to the teak. These will charge OceanVolt 48VDC 30.4kWh batteries (made up of 48 1.9kWh batteries), which will power an Oceanvolt SD15 electric drive.

“From afar, the Spirit 44E will look like any other Spirit sailing yacht,” said Spirit Yachts head designer Sean McMillan. “Low freeboards, long overhangs, flush decks and the timeless beauty of quality wooden craftsmanship.

Up close, she will display signs of the sailing yachts of the future.”

Hydrogeneration via the propeller is used to regenerate the batteries while sailing, calculated at 1.5kW while sailing at five knots. Continue reading “Spirit Yachts set to launch its first electric yacht in early 2020”

AkzoNobel opens ground-breaking R&D innovation campus

The new facility in Felling is located around 25 miles away from AkzoNobel’s €100 million paint manufacturing plant in Ashington, which opened in 2017.
The new facility in Felling is located around 25 miles away from AkzoNobel’s €100 million paint manufacturing plant in Ashington, which opened in 2017.

A trailblazing lab complex which can test new products in conditions that mimic the world’s most extreme environments has been officially opened by AkzoNobel in the UK.

Located in Felling, the €12.6 million R&D innovation campus fuses the site’s 115-year history of product development with state-of-the-art facilities designed to keep AkzoNobel at the forefront of the coatings industry.

A creative nerve center for the foremost scientists and technical experts in the world of coatings, the focus will be on continuing to deliver cutting-edge innovations and products for the marine and oil and gas industries.

It brings the total investment in the Felling site since 2011 to €31.6 million.

“As the birthplace of the International brand, we’re immensely proud of our Felling site, which has supplied products for some of the world’s most iconic buildings and structures,” says Jean-Michel Gauthier, Managing Director of the company’s Marine and Protective Coatings business. Continue reading “AkzoNobel opens ground-breaking R&D innovation campus”

Rotor Sail Solution: the commercial sail granted first type approval

It has already been installed on three vessels and has achieved over 35,000 hours in operation
It has already been installed on three vessels and has achieved over 35,000 hours in operation

Norsepower Oy Ltd., the leading clean technology and engineering company pioneering modern auxiliary wind propulsion for the global maritime industry, has announced that its innovative Rotor Sail Solution has received the first-ever type approval design certificate granted to an auxiliary wind propulsion system onboard a commercial ship.

The type approval from DNV GL was issued in February 2019 after a design assessment of Norsepower’s 30-metres by 5-metre Rotor Sail, two of which have been installed onboard the Maersk Pelican LR2 tanker. The landmark certification means that vessels operating Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution are technically capable of safely navigating ‘all operational and environmental situations’.

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Finding a surveyor just got easier as IIMS launches the Marine Surveyor Search App

Finding a marine surveyor just got even easier with the launch of the free Marine Surveyor Search App from IIMS, the next generation search tool.

In a bold and imaginative initiative, the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a new free App for iOS and Android devices that makes finding a commercial, or yacht and small craft marine surveyor by area, or specialism, fast and simple. Not only a key benefit for members of IIMS, it will make the search for a surveyor easier for the boating and yachting public, brokers, P&I Clubs, marine insurers – in fact anyone needing the services of a marine surveyor on an occasional or ongoing basis. IIMS member surveyors will be granted access to the back end web site behind the App where they can manage their listing and specialization, subject to the usual checks and final authorisation by IIMS head office.

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Norwegian Electric Systems selects Corvus Energy storage system for new ferries

The leading manufacturer of energy storage systems for maritime applications, Corvus Energy provides battery power to more ferries than all other providers of energy storage systems combined.
The leading manufacturer of energy storage systems for maritime applications, Corvus Energy provides battery power to more ferries than all other providers of energy storage systems combined.

Corvus Energy has announced that it has been selected by Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) to supply lithium ion battery-based energy storage systems (ESS) for five new all-electric ferries being built by Havyard for Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1.

“Fjord1 continues to forge a very progressive path towards environmentally sustainable operations with these additional all-electric ferries,” says Stein Ruben Larsen, Senior Vice President Sales at NES, a total system integrator of electric systems for the global marine market. With respect to their ESS selection, he remarks, “The proven reliability, safety and performance of the Corvus ESS was important in awarding this contract to Corvus Energy.”

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Boat docking just got simpler with the launch of Raymarine DockSense

The system is designed to augment a captain's boat handling skills using the system’s Virtual Bumper zone technology around the vessel.
The system is designed to augment a captain’s boat handling skills using the system’s Virtual Bumper zone technology around the vessel.

FLIR Systems has launched the Raymarine DockSense assisted docking system, which it bills as the marine industry’s first intelligent object recognition and motion sensing assisted docking solution for recreational boating.

The DockSense system uses FLIR machine vision camera technology and video analytics to integrate intelligence gathered from surrounding imagery with the vessel’s propulsion and steering system to assist boat owners in tight quarter docking manoeuvring.

“Raymarine DockSense assisted docking system embodies our focus on solutions by combining FLIR navigation, machine learning and sensing technologies,” explained Jim Cannon, FLIR president and CEO.

He continued, “Most importantly, we bring these innovations together into a Continue reading “Boat docking just got simpler with the launch of Raymarine DockSense”

Ship surveying is being revolutionised by drone technology says ClassNK

Last September, ClassNK designated ‘survey technology innovation’ as one of four focus areas listed in its new R&D Roadmap, with drones identified as a key technology.
Last September, ClassNK designated ‘survey technology innovation’ as one of four focus areas listed in its new R&D Roadmap, with drones identified as a key technology.

As part of an on-going focus on safety in enclosed spaces, ClassNK describes how it has carried out detailed drone tests to revolutionize ship surveying. In spring this year, ClassNK introduced guidelines on the use of drones in class surveys, covering procedures and technical considerations for safe operation, as well as requirements for drone service suppliers.

Although drones with multiple propellers on the same plane are currently the most widespread design, research is taking place into alternative arrangements with tilt rotors and propellers in a tetrahedral configuration. Meanwhile, significant progress has been seen in autonomous operations using higher precision positioning, and considerable advances in machine image recognition and processing.

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Hyperloop and HHLA are set to trial a new container by tube system

Hyperloop, Elon Musk’s high-speed-rail startup, has announced a new partnership with Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA) to explore ways to move shipping containers to and from inland sites with Hyperloop’s maglev-in-a-tube technology.

Initially, the joint venture plans to build a transfer station for testing purposes at an HHLA terminal in Hamburg and develop a Hyperloop transport capsule for standard shipping containers.

“With the Hyperloop transport system, HHLA is pursuing the goal of developing an additional component of efficient logistic mobility Continue reading “Hyperloop and HHLA are set to trial a new container by tube system”

Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon

Neoline's plans to develop industrial-scale wind-powered freight services have led to the design of a commercial demo
Neoline’s plans to develop industrial-scale wind-powered freight services have led to the design of a commercial demo

Major French vehicle manufacturer, Groupe Renault, has signed a three year agreement with Neoline, a start up that says it aims to become the first modern shipowner to fully embrace energy efficiency by relying on wind power as its primary energy source. Nearly 60% of Renault’s parts and vehicles are transported by sea.

“Groupe Renault’s objective is to reduce the environmental impact of each vehicle throughout its entire life cycle, from parts transportation up to delivery and end-of-life processing,” says Jean-Philippe Hermine, Vice President, Strategic Environmental Planning Groupe Renault. “In the context of our strategy to explore new sustainable mobility solutions and to continue along the road to reducing our carbon footprint, the solution designed by Neoline, which combines energy efficiency and operational relevance, has truly captured our attention”.

Jean Zanuttini, CEO of Neoline, declared: Continue reading “Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon”

Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing

Cargo hold cleaning is a critical aspect of the complex bulk carrier operations that require careful preparation to maintain cargo quality and to avoid any delays. A conventional bulk carrier may transport coal this week and soya beans the next week, which requires thorough wash-downs and cleaning in between. Danish shipping company Norden has said it has tested a cargo hold robot which can be remotely operated to prevent risk and delays, also leading to enhanced safety for crew and others who are required to enter holds.

The prototype, developed by Danish company CLIIN with assistance from the Market Development Fund, is a new belt-driven robot which can be operated remotely to go up and down along the sides of the holds while pressure cleaning them. The robot is driven forward by Continue reading “Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing”

New dry dock initiative uses inflatable buoyancy

For the next phase of construction; the installation of the upper decks to take place, the dry dock needed to be flooded and the hull then towed to the wet dock.
For the next phase of construction; the installation of the upper decks to take place, the dry dock needed to be flooded and the hull then towed to the wet dock.

Unique Group’s Buoyancy & Ballast division has recently facilitated a high-profile dry dock project in Romania, involving the supply and operation of 840t of Seaflex inflatable buoyancy.

The hull and lower decks of the Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) new icebreaker Nuyina were constructed in the dry dock at Damen’s Galati Shipyard.

“Our Buoyancy & Ballast division is truly unique within the market and we consistently bring added value to our clients, working in partnership,” said Chris Sparrow, global sales manager, Buoyancy & Ballast at Unique Group.

“We get right up to speed early on in a project during Continue reading “New dry dock initiative uses inflatable buoyancy”

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