Surveillance & Maritime News for April 2022

Alphatron Marine saw the light of day in September 1991. Over the past thirty years, the innovative company in the field of maritime electronics has grown into a global player with 450 employees and head offices in Rotterdam, Tokyo, Singapore and Houston. Inland shipping has always had a special place within Alphatron Marine. “The inland shipping customer is a completely different customer than the seagoing customer,” said Peter van Veen, the General Manager - Inland Shipping at Alp...

Thordon Bearings has signed a multi-vessel supply agreement for a range of water-lubricated and grease-free bearings for installation to several fleet boats under construction, at the FMT Shipyard & Repair facility in Louisiana, U.S.A. for workboat owner - Maritime Partners. Twelve twin-screw push boats are scheduled to be delivered from the Louisiana-based shipyard with equipment that includes RiverTough tailshaft bearings, ThorPlas-Blue rudder bearings with Pucker Seals, ThorPlas-Blue ste...

The creator of the world’s first liquid hydrogen bunkering facility for fuelling zero-emission ships, Unitrove, has won a UK Government grant to develop a unit ready for rapid deployment to ports around the world. Steven Lua, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Unitrove Innovation, part of the Unitrove Group (Unitrove), said the £30,000 Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG), awarded by the Department for Transport, in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, would be use...

A strategic partnership with Maersk helped Coast Beacon expand their US footprint and optimise their supply chain at the same time. The US frozen fish and seafood industry is a multibillion-dollar industry, with 70% being imported. As shipments come in from all over the world, getting the frozen products to cold stores around the country quickly is the key to maintaining quality. Multiple cold stores For frozen seafood distributor Coast Beacon, exceptional customer experience is as important...

Obeikan Glass Co is a glass manufacturer based in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, that exports products across the world. They specialise in manufacturing a particular type of glass that requires special handling and equipment. Their main markets for this product are North America, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean. The challenge Limited availability of special equipment and space posed a major challenge for the manufacturer. The solution Maersk started by working with the customer to...

As part of ongoing efforts to achieve its decarbonisation objectives, Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to share that it is conducting a trial use of marine biofuel on its container vessel - Kota Megah, when it called at the Port of Singapore, on April 10, 2022. The main aim of the trial is to test the feasibility of using marine biofuel on the engines of the vessel, and to obtain first-hand data on the potential carbon and other emissions. With the experience, PIL will be able t...

Ship Data Center Co., Ltd. (ShipDC) has started a connection confirmation service for the shipboard data server and applications software on IoS-OP (Internet of Ships Open Platform). On IoS-OP, ship operations data is transmitted from shipboard data collection and communication devices to the onshore data centre, and it is used in various applications software, such as operation monitoring and performance analysis. Shipboard data server As the efforts for IoS-OP are becoming more active on bo...

Babcock is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard Drake as Babcock’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He will take up his new role on 1 July 2022, succeeding Dr. Jon Hall who will be retiring later this year. Jon joined Babcock in 2008 with the acquisition of Strachan and Henshaw and has held several senior management positions before becoming Chief Innovation and Technology Officer in 2020. Babcock would like to thank Jon for his commitment and contribution during his many y...

British Marine, organisers of the brand-new luxury yachting showcase, London Luxury Afloat, is delighted to confirm Bentley Motors as the exclusive Luxury Automotive Partner for the event. Taking place from 21-24 April at St. Katharine Docks, London, Bentley will be showcasing two stunning models from the Bentley range: the Continental GTC Mulliner and the Bentayga V8. Handcrafted by the oldest automotive coachbuilders in the world, Bentley Mulliner, the Continental GTC Mulliner offers l...

NextGEN Connect will bring diverse stakeholders together for route-based action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Route-based action to reduce GHG Singapore and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have jointly launched NextGEN Connect, which aims to bring industry stakeholders, academia, and global research centres together to offer inclusive solutions for maritime decarbonisation for trials along specific shipping routes. The launch was made during the IMO-Singapore Future of Shippin...

NAPA, the maritime software, services, and data analysis provider, will work with ClassNK and Japanese general trading company Marubeni to assess what fuel and carbon emission savings could be achieved through voyage optimisation. Fleet Intelligence platform NAPA will use its Fleet Intelligence platform to retrospectively analyse the impact of EEXI using the actual vessel performance across Marubeni’s fleet and compare it against similar fleets. ClassNK will provide its expertise in...

The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association has signed a statement together with other shipowning associations condemning the attack on Ukraine. Shipping associations condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s ongoing war and invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine. The appalling decision by the Russian Government to invade Ukraine, and the consequences of this decision have severe effects for the people of Ukraine and need to cease immediately. Internationally recognised borders They s...

The foundation project of the IMO Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping (IMO CARES) project, which aims to bring stakeholders together from the global north and global south, was launched on 6th April at the IMO-Singapore Future of Shipping Conference. IMO CARES is expected to be a long-term programme. It will support coordination to promote innovation, research and development collaboration, accelerate the adoption of green technologies and facilitate their deployment in develo...

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the aerospace, defence and security firm, has signed a four year contract to deliver through life support to the Marinha do Brasil’s flagship vessel, NAM Atlântico, formerly the UK Royal Navy platform HMS Ocean, as part of its global support programme. Working hand-in-hand with their customers, Babcock’s key asset management activities include deep maintenance, in-service support, equipment and systems support, and through life engineerin...

The potential of hydrogen as a clean future fuel is a familiar talking point, but what’s the reality? Ocean Hyway Cluster, a specialist Norwegian trade body, gathers leading players to assess, demystify and enable developments within the maritime field, at The Maritime Hydrogen Conference. This unique conference is split into three main sessions, in order to help navigate hydrogen’s horizon. As such, partnership-based models, infrastructure (from both a shipowner and energy supplier...

The inland shipping department of Alphatron Marine is pleased to be present again at its well-known location, during the Maritime Industry 2022 trade fair (stand L-103). With an eye-catching stand, as Alphatron Marine also presents at other international fairs, the company will show their complete line of navigation and communication equipment for European inland shipping. Maritime Industry 2022 The sales and service team will be happy to provide visitors with information about Alphatron Mari...

Rolls-Royce is expanding its range of MTU NautIQ ship automation systems with three new products: MTU NautIQ CoPilot, MTU NautIQ CoOperate, and MTU NautIQ CoDirect, which each offer different levels of intelligent crew support, autonomous control, and remote command capabilities. Safety, efficiency, and climate friendliness Customers in all marine applications will gain significant operational advantages and benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, environmental impact, and climate friendlines...

The value of the competitively awarded contract could reach $95.2 million if all options are exercised. Under the depot maintenance period (DMP) availability contract awarded, BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair will dry-dock the ship, perform underwater hull preservation work, recondition the engineering spaces, upgrade its command and control equipment, and refurbish the crew’s living spaces. The DMP work is expected to begin in May 2022 and be completed in November 2023. The company expe...

UKSA is launching a new Port Operative Apprenticeship Programme, due to start this summer, as it expands its maritime career pathways. Isle of Wight based charity, UKSA, has designed the programme to give young people the opportunity to start on the maritime career ladder in a vital port operative role which allows businesses and organisations to deliver cargo on time and within a safe environment. The course will provide students with all the necessary skills, knowledge, and qualifications to...

The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, has been in the news recently, both as an element in the supply chain muddle and related to the U.S. ban on Russian oil and gas. The Jones Act requires that ships operating between ports in the United States of America be constructed in the U.S., fly the U.S. flag, be owned by U.S. citizens, and be crewed only by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. The Jones Act The law was introduced by Senator Wesley Jones (R-Wash.) and be...

Hitachi Energy launched its OceaniQ™ portfolio for the offshore energy environment, which will be showcased this week at the annual WindEurope event in Bilbao, Spain. Wind, marine, and offshore applications The global technology and market pioneer in power grids, which has a proven track record in pioneering solutions for offshore, has created OceaniQ to help accelerate the clean energy transition. OceaniQ will result in greater volumes of wind power being efficiently harvested and...

A new video highlighting how improved technology can be used to help the global shipping industry meet its ocean sustainability targets has been produced by Canada’s Thordon Bearings. Addressing environmental footprint The short video aims to encourage the shipping industry to adopt, ‘New Technologies for Greener Shipping’ the IMO’s World Maritime theme for 2022 as a way of addressing wide-reaching concerns over the sector’s environmental footprint. Focusing on S...

SAIM Marine signed a sale agency agreement for the distribution of Hydromaster azimuth pods and thrusters in Italy. The Dutch company has 60 years of experience in reliable, durable advanced propulsion systems and keeps on investing in innovative solutions to provide the latest technologies ever. The recently signed agreement means the introduction of cutting-edge azimuth pods and high-speed thrusters into the Italian market by providing a propulsion system that can easily replace any similar...

The military force for the Kingdom of Bahrain has purchased an innovative self-propelled workboat, WorkFloat, to support its growing naval fleet. Once afloat, their 12m x 6m WorkFloat will provide a useful work platform for a range of support tasks in their Naval Port. WorkFloat The WorkFloat’s equipment includes a 10tm crane that can lift just under half a ton at 13m, a deck load capacity of over 10t, a 2t deck winch that can be used for mooring work, a central moon pool for drilling o...

GPS Group, the storage and logistics provider, and Rietlanden Terminals, are pleased to announce that they have successfully completed a transfer of NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) disposition rights. Sustainable energy products The transfer, now confirmed through a permit that has become irrevocable, transfers such rights from Rietlanden Terminals to GPS Amsterdam and thereby supports GPS’s expansions including the recently completed rail project and bio ethanol storage, which are supportive of t...

IWS already has the two identical vessels on order for delivery in 2023, mentioned above, and option agreements for up to two additional vessels, making this a potential six-vessel series. This fleet has been designed specifically for the renewable offshore wind market, with a clear focus on reduced emissions and enhanced sustainability. The vessels will be built to Kongsberg Maritime’s UT 5519 DE design by the shipyard China Merchant Heavy Industries (CMHI), with which KM has a long and...

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) is pleased to announce that it is dividing its industry-renowned propeller systems into three distinct categories, C-Line, P-Line, and X-Line. The idea is to ensure the provision of reliable, safe, high-quality and high-performing propeller solutions, which are adapted to all customer-specific requirements and pricing levels, building upon almost a century of hydrodynamic and engineering expertise. The demarcations are as follows. KONGSBERG Propeller...

Inmarsat, the globally renowned company in global, mobile satellite communications, has published a new decarbonisation report exploring the impact digital technology can make on shipping’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Compiled by maritime innovation consultancy - Thetius and sponsored by the Inmarsat Research Programme, The Optimal Route – The Why and How of Digital Decarbonisation in Shipping provides evidence that digital optimisation offers a key strategy for owners set on me...

Kongsberg Maritime has won another important customer for its Wind Installation Vessel (WIV) technology, following the signing of a contract with the Singaporean shipbuilder Sembcorp Marine. The agreement will see Kongsberg Maritime (KM) supplying a comprehensive technology package for a new WIV, which Sembcorp is constructing for the Denmark-based service provider Maersk Supply Service. Optimal performance KM’s integrated solution for Wind Installation Vessels will be important to...

Babcock, the aerospace, defense, and security company, joined forces with the Royal Navy at Rosyth to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict (2 April – 14 June 1982). To mark this anniversary, more than 50 current and former Babcock employees, Royal Navy personnel, armed forces veterans, and representatives from the local community attended a service that included the unveiling of a plaque on the site. The Royal Marine band provided an uplifting welcome at the e...