At Gastech 2023, DNV granted a design verification report (DVR) for the AI-based autonomous navigation system “HiNAS Control”. This system was a joint project between Avikus, a navigation specialist, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Following the evaluation, the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) has also given an Approval in Principle (AiP) for this system.
The “HiNAS Control” system employs artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to integrate data from different navigation tools. This advanced technology enables ships to autonomously avoid collisions while maintaining optimal routes and speeds. By assisting navigators, it reduces fatigue and contributes to safer voyages, better fuel efficiency, and fewer maritime accidents and emissions.
DNV Maritime’s CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen stated, “Safety is at the core of what a Ship Classification society shall support the maritime industry, and we are happy to have contributed with our competence and expertise to complete this design assessment of HD Hyundai’s and Avikus’ system. Leveraging advanced new technologies to give seafarers and the maritime industry new tools to further improve their safety and environmental performance is key for the future of the maritime industry. We are looking forward to continuing the cooperation towards common use of such systems on vessels sailing the high seas.”
Alfonso Castillero, CEO of the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), commented, “As a leader in innovation, we at the Liberian Registry are very proud to have taken a significant role with our partners to advance the design verification for this cutting-edge technology. We know HiNAS Control will play a significant role in the safety, efficiency and the future of the global shipping industry.”
In evaluating these new innovations, DNV utilized its class guideline for autonomous ships (DNV-CG-0264), based on risk assessments and relevant standards.
For years, shipping companies have been asking for a connection between their procurement system and supplier catalogs – and now it is finally here! Source2Sea and RINA Digital Solutions have built a Punch-Out catalog that allows shipping companies to access Source2Sea’s online marketplace without leaving SERTICA.
Building and maintaining a catalog has typically been the responsibility of the buyer. With Source2Sea’s customer tailored product catalog platform, all that work is no longer required for the buyers. This solution brings together the best of both worlds of the SERTICA Fleet Management System and the Source2Sea Marketplace
Michael Paarup, COO at RINA Digital Solutions explains: “With this integration, our customers get easy access to online catalogs directly from SERTICA. This not only saves them a lot of work, but also ensures purchase orders of high quality. Source2Sea is now bringing this to the market, and we are very pleased to be the first Fleet Management System offering this to our customers”. Mikael Weis, CEO at Source2Sea supports: “In this industry, the value-add of the integrated Punch[1]Out catalog is quite unique. All combined in one flow and with a shared source of data, removing the need to copy data or login to multiple systems. This means full transparency in all steps and the end of inquiries and quotes. This is a steep value-add to both the end user on board the vessel, the buyers ashore, and their suppliers”
Business as usual – with all the new value-add When creating the order in SERTICA, the user automatically gets logged onto Source2Sea. With pre[1]agreed customer specific catalogs incl. images, product descriptions, and buyer specific prices, building the order is simple and very transparent for vessel crew. After order completion, all transaction details are saved in SERTICA. Vessel crew and purchasers maintain the control and functionality in SERTICA, but now benefit from a speedier ordering process. We will soon onboard the first customer to the SERTICA Punch-Out integrated catalog, with more SERTICA shipping company customers already committed to the joint solution.
KR (Korean Register) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for ‘design and test procedures for implementing cyber resilience of ship and onboard systems based on IACS UR E26 and E27’. The AIP was presented at Gastech 2023 in Singapore on September 6.
The application of ICT technology to ships, e.g. smart ship solutions, etc., is expanding. Cyber threats such as hacking and ransomware are an increasing risk as the integration and digitalization of operational technology and information technology systems accelerates.
To address this, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) introduced UR E26 and E27 last year. These are unified requirements for enhancing cyber resilience of ships and onboard systems. These requirements are set to become mandatory for ships contracted for construction on or after January 1, 2024. Cyber resilience goes beyond safeguarding ships against cyber threats and includes minimizing the impact of such incidents to ensure operational safety.
Since October last year, KR has been collaboratively developing design and verification methods for implementing cyber resilience based on UR E26 and E27 with SHI. This partnership was formed to proactively meet IACS’s mandatory guidelines. This AIP award recognizes the successful collaboration of joint development between KR and SHI. KR provided SHI with technical advice on ship cyber resilience application technology, including security functions and network design for ship operational systems, and contributed to securing the base technology for applying cyber resilience to ships built by SHI.
KIM Yeontae, Executive Vice President of KR’s Technical Devision, said:
“This AIP award to Samsung Heavy Industries serves as an opportunity to internationally publicize the excellence of KR’s ship cyber resilience technology. KR will continue to strengthen our technology and certification capability for ship cyber resilience with the goal of providing a higher level of service to our customers.”
JANG Haeki, Executive Vice President(CTO) of SHI Engineering Operations, said:
“It is expected that the security of ships built by Samsung Heavy Industries will be further enhanced through this certification, which includes security application technology for cyber resilience of essential systems in ships as well as ships registered by KR, leading marine digital technology in shipbuilding.”
Since 2018, KR has been providing company and ship certification services, type approval, and technical services for maritime cybersecurity, as well as online and offline training programs to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities for employees in the maritime industry.
A team of students at the University of Strathclyde has won an award at an international challenge in the design and building of an autonomous marine craft, after overcoming challenges which meant they were able to compete only in the last round of the competition.
The StrathVoyager team took the Team Spirit Award at the Njord Marine Autonomy Challenge at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, against six opponents from five nations – Norway, Turkey, India, the US and Portugal.
Competitors brought their vessels to the Havet Arena in Trondheim, where they took part in a series of challenges and events, including manoeuvring, docking and collision avoidance.
Judges presented StrathVoyager with the award for the “commitment and spirit,” particularly in being the youngest team competing and being able to compete only on the last day after a number of setbacks.
A team member’s luggage, containing part of the boat, was lost and recovered too late for any testing to be carried out. The next day, a radio frequency module short circuited and, while it was replaced, it again prevented testing on the first day and participation in the manoeuvring challenge.
The team then decided to opt out of the docking challenge on the second day and focus on the final challenge of obstacle avoidance. It turned out to be a good decision, as the docking challenge proved difficult for their opponents and yielded few points.
Strathclyde’s team is part of the Strathclyde Union-registered Marine Robotics Society (MRS), which has gained more than 50 student members in its first year. Based in the University’s Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean, and Marine Engineering (NAOME), students from a range of departments and academic levels have come together to work on, and learn about, robotics and autonomous systems used in maritime environments.
The StrathVoyager team consisted of Panagiotis Louvros, Wang Zhao, Paul Lee, Mauro Arcidiacono, Kaja Gorska, Charalampos Tsoumpris, Alexander Dixon, Nilesh Ohol and Marvin Wright
Team captain Panagiotis said: “Participating in this prestigious international event is already a significant success for our young team, and being awarded the Team Spirit Award is a remarkable team achievement and recognition of the students’ hard work over the past 12 months.”
StrathVoyager’s Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) is the pilot design project of MRS. The catamaran platform has been designed to be highly modular, allowing future students to upgrade components while also facilitating ease of repair and transport. Fitted with a range of sensors, including a 3D camera, 3D Lidar, and IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), the onboard Nvidia Jetson computer is programmed to fuse sensor information, enabling the boat to simultaneously localise and map the environment and take advantage of cutting-edge Deep Reinforcement Learning AI technology for decision making and, as a result, autonomous navigation”.
Dr David Dai, a Research Fellow in NAOME, is Academic Mentor for MRS. He said: “The Team Spirit Award is a testament to the exceptional synergy, collaboration, and camaraderie that define the society. The young team has fully embraced the University’s values of being People-oriented, Bold, Innovative, Collaborative, and Ambitious over the past 12 months.
“It is a pleasure to be involved with such a talented, energetic, and enthusiastic team and support and guide them as an academic mentor.”
MRS President Marvin said: “I would like to say thank you to everyone who has contributed directly, or indirectly through advice in conversations, to help us build the society’s first autonomous platform. “We aim to expand our collaborations with organizations like RINA and are open to further collaborations and sponsorships. In the future, we want to build on this great success and continue to attract curious minds to design and build more autonomous platforms.
” The team received financial support from the Strathclyde Alumni Fund and NAOME to cover travel and hardware costs. Further generous support was provided by the Kelvin Hydrodynamics Laboratory, which assisted in manufacturing the 3D printed catamaran platform and conducting static and dynamic hydrodynamic tests.
The Njord Marine Autonomy Challenge was hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and was supported by maritime stakeholders including DNV, ABB, and Kongsberg. The overall winning team was Autobee from Turkey.
Clarus Networks Group, the connectivity and network specialist, has launched a new Maritime & Energy Division with the opening of their first permanent office in England.
The new Maritime & Energy Division provides wireless networks to connect the office to the ocean for merchant vessels, cruise ships, yachts, ferries, fishing vessels and offshore energy. Clarus selected Norwich as the location for the specialist division reflecting its proximity to key maritime and logistic locations, with access to skilled staff.
Many maritime operations struggle with outdated VSAT communications equipment and slow internet speeds, so Clarus uses wireless low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high speed and reliable connections. Clarus client Hughes Subsea Services installed LEO broadband to overcome traditional communications challenges for offshore vessels. Following the installation, their vessel achieved up to 300x faster internet speeds, increasing efficiency and productivity. Other Maritime clients include Valaris, P&O Ferries, Stödig Ship Management, Ineos and SSE.
Chris Schonhut, Director of Maritime & Energy, is heading up the new division. Chris joined Clarus in July, and is a seasoned professional in the maritime satcom industry, boasting a track record of delivering services on a global scale. Other new hires to the division include two dedicated Business Development Managers and Head of Delivery, specialising in supporting maritime and energy clients.
Although Clarus supports customers all over the world, this new office represents the first Clarus premise outside Scotland. The expansion comes at a period of high growth, with year to date revenue increasing 328% compared to last year and company headcount doubling. The team have plans to expand further by opening offices in Aberdeen and Milton Keynes at the start of 2024.
A key piece of technology for at sea connection is Starlink, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite system providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet services. Starlink Maritime users can expect download speeds of up to 220 Mbps, allowing for remote working and monitoring, plus video calls back to shore. This transforms operations, improving crew welfare, productivity and vessel management. To cope with conditions at sea, Starlink Maritime has specialised high-performance antennas designed to withstand extreme temperature and weather, ensuring that connectivity can be delivered even in the most remote, challenging environments.
Derek Phillips, Group Managing Director at The Clarus Networks Group, said: “With 70% of the world covered in water, we believe that fast, reliable connectivity should be just as accessible in the ocean as in the office. Our new Maritime & Energy Division provides tailored and managed wireless solutions, and Chris is the perfect leader, with years of maritime and advanced connectivity experience. Clarus’ expansion with our first permanent office outside Scotland reflects a high growth period and ambitious targets for the year ahead.”
Chris Schonhut, Director of Maritime & Energy added: “Joining the Clarus team means working with the most powerful connectivity technology available. I’m already hearing feedback from Maritime clients on the benefits of superfast connection, including crew welfare, improved comms and collaboration, and enhanced reliability. Many clients have been surprised at how easy the installation process has been, reducing downtime. In my new role, I’m excited to be providing specialist support for businesses, unifying connectivity systems to support efficient operations at sea.”
Clarus also offers a bandwidth management and crew welfare connectivity platform for the maritime industry. This platform leverages LEO satellite broadband and liberates operations from the limitations of traditional VSAT. The system also allows for the bonding of multiple networks, such as Starlink and OneWeb, or integrating 4G technology, enhancing IT operation performance at sea.
The Clarus team is exhibiting at the Offshore Europe conference 2023 in Aberdeen in September, furthering connections in the region ahead of the opening of the third office next year.
French digitalization expert Opsealog has been awarded type approval from Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, for its cloud-based Streamlog Garbage Record Book and Oil Record Book, marking an important step towards the deployment of digital reporting solutions that will save time and enhance data analysis in the shipping industry.
Type approval from BV confirms that both record books meet the IMO guidelines. This will accelerate their implementation onboard vessels by streamlining the Flag State approvals required for any electronic record book solution. By replacing paper logs, Opsealog’s digital record books enable crews to report waste management and oil management information easily and share data securely via the cloud. The solutions are deployed remotely and can work offline when connectivity is poor.
By gathering all the vessel’s information is in one place, the new electronic record books will support compliance with new regulation and facilitate Port State controls and inspections. They will also link to Opsealog’s data integration and analysis platform, MarInsights, where the information can be harnessed to help inform the vessel operator on the best strategies that can be deployed on their fleets to lower their environmental footprint, and limit marine pollution.
Arnaud Dianoux, Managing Director of Opsealog said: “We are delighted to receive type approval from Bureau Veritas for our first two electronic record books. To this day, three-quarters of vessels are still using paper logbooks for regulatory reporting. This means that a huge amount of information, and the potential to use it to improve operations, is currently stuck on paper. Our Streamlog Garbage and Oil Record Books aim to change that. They will ease the reporting workload for crews, while also helping shipping companies make the most of their data.
“Seafarers will know that when they fill reports digitally rather than on paper, the data will be used to deliver greater efficiency, safety and sustainability. In the long term, we believe that greater digitalization will be a key pillar of shipping’s decarbonization ambitions, helping the industry measure their starting point, assess the impact of different solutions, and benchmark progress.”
Christophe Chauvière, Vice-President for South Europe, North Africa and North America at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “The route to efficiency and sustainability for the maritime industry runs through digitalization. Switching from paper to electronic logbooks is a key component of that transition, enabling smarter data collection and recording, and creating more efficient workflows onboard. At Bureau Veritas, we are proud to support industry pioneers like Opsealog who create solutions that will help the industry save time and gain access to the insights needed for a more sustainable future.”
Opsealog’s Garbage Record Book and Oil Record Book are the first two of the new Streamlog series of electronic record books to receive classification approval. This responds to a growing need for digital reporting solutions in shipping, following the adoption in 2019 of the IMO MEPC Resolution 312(74), which has enabled the use of electronic record books in lieu of hard copy record books. Streamlog also addresses the industry’s demand for lighter, cloud-based solutions that do not require the major deployment and maintenance costs of hardware record books. This will help democratize access to electronic record books.
StormGeo, the leading provider of voyage optimization and weather intelligence solutions, today announces the launch of Bunker Management, providing the market with the most comprehensive end-to-end bunker management solution that allows users to optimize bunker planning and streamline procurement with full control and complete ownership of their data.
The launch comes with StormGeo’s purchase of the world’s leading independent bunker procurement platform from NSI. The Bunker Management solution will be provided through StormGeo’s s-Insight platform, making it a fully integrated solution for voyage optimization.
“In the pursuit of a cleaner industry, responsible stewardship demands not just environmental mindfulness but also full data control – the cornerstones of our commitment to a sustainable shipping future. I am pleased we can now bring an offering to the market that allows us to deliver a leading-edge, single-tenant planning and procurement tool to our new and existing customers,” says Svenn Owe Haugland, CPO at StormGeo.
StormGeo has since June 2023 fully integrated the acquired NSI procurement tool into its bunker management solution. The procurement tool has been proven in the market by historically enabling the management of 2.5 million tons of fuel to more than 75 clients.
“Price volatility, geopolitical swifts, and alternative fuels are only a few parameters that bunker professionals need to consider when planning and optimizing their fuel procurement. Combining AI technology, our deep expertise, and a commitment to market neutrality is at the core of StormGeo’s vision and portfolio. Our Bunker Management enables total fuel management and optimization, with full data control,” says Christian Plum, Head of Bunker Management.
NSI will be a client of StormGeo and will continue to serve their clients through StormGeo Bunker Management.
“We at NSI are delighted to have found a new owner to our procurement tool – a company that envisions the same market neutrality and data control whilst adopting it into an integrated platform for advanced voyage optimization. We will remain a client of StormGeo’s procurement tool,” confirms Dave Wade, Managing Director of NSI.
The procurement tool caters to bunker buyers, enabling companies to continue to make purchases through their preferred channel.
NAPA, a global provider of maritime software and data services, has announced the creation of a new subsidiary in Germany to support its business growth and intensify its research and development (R&D) activities in Central Europe.
By establishing NAPA Germany (GmbH), the company aims to consolidate its presence in one of the world’s most important ship-owning nations. The move will enhance NAPA’s offering to the maritime industry in the wider Central Europe region, which is a major hub for commercial shipping, the cruise industry, and ship design and engineering.
This new base will also enable NAPA to expand its R&D team, tapping into Germany’s extensive talent pool for data analysis, artificial intelligence and software development expertise.
The new office will be led by Lars Nickel as Managing Director of NAPA Germany, who has supported NAPA’s business through its parent company, ClassNK, since 2015. Building on its almost 40-year heritage in Central Europe, NAPA Germany will be the eighth subsidiary in the NAPA Group.
Mikko Kuosa, CEO of NAPA, said: “Today, the maritime industry is increasingly turning to digital solutions to drive decarbonization in a way that makes sense for each company’s fleet, operations and businesses. As pressure increases on shipping to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, data is a key enabler for climate action, helping companies gain greater clarity, unlock new efficiencies from design to operations, and integrate new fuels and technologies safely. At NAPA, we’re proud to be leading this transition thanks to the work of our talented team of maritime and technology experts.
“The opening of our new branch in Germany positions NAPA at the heart of a dynamic hub for green shipping. It enables us to work even more closely with our customers to support their decarbonization and digitalization ambitions at a time of rapid change. Germany is a key maritime hub, with 400,000 jobs directly or indirectly linked to the industry, and this location provides strategic benefits for NAPA to expand its team. The country offers a strong focus on sustainability and digitalization, making it a natural fit for NAPA and an avenue to the region’s technology and maritime talent pools.”
Adding to this, Lars Nickel, Managing Director of NAPA Germany, said: “I’m looking forward to this new chapter for NAPA and leading our new office, which allows the organization to work more closely with existing customers in the region and explore new opportunities for business development and specialization.
“At NAPA, we put a lot of emphasis on attracting the best and brightest talent to help the industry operate more sustainably, efficiently and safely- which is no small feat! Germany offers an abundance of opportunities and excellent talent for us to engage with, which makes this an even more exciting opportunity.”
NAVTOR, a global leader in maritime e-Navigation and performance solutions, has announced the opening of its eleventh office with the arrival of NAVTOR Hellas. The Athens-based operation, situated at the Port of Piraeus, is an evolution of an existing, long-standing partnership with distributor Space Electronics. CEO Tor Svanes says the move demonstrates the importance of this key shipping market to his ambitious maritime technology firm.
Concrete commitment
“Everybody is aware of Greece’s standing within the context of global shipping,” Svanes explains. “What they may be less aware of is the rapidly evolving nature of the business, as forward-thinking owners and operators embrace new innovations and technology to deliver efficiencies, performance and optimal service for customers. In some ways it’s seen as a traditional market, but that masks the exciting developments across multiple key segments.
“With that in mind, we thought it was the ideal time to show our commitment to our growing customer base with a dedicated office. The benefits our advanced e-Navigation and performance monitoring, management and optimisation solutions can deliver are greatly appreciated… and we see huge potential for growth. In some ways we regard Greece as almost a second home for us, so we’re delighted to finally have our own ‘house’ here.”
Evolving ecosystem
Space Electronics has represented NAVTOR in the local market for over a decade, helping the Norwegian headquartered business build a loyal customer base for its integrated product portfolio. These individual solutions work together as a seamlessly connected ‘digital ecosystem’ to unlock truly smart, sustainable shipping.
Key offerings now include: fleet management and performance platform NavFleet; digital chart table software NavStation (with its breakthrough automated Passage Planning); NavBox, a certified cyber secure gateway for seamless data transfer; NAVTOR digital logbooks, and more.
Simplifying complexity
“It’s been a privilege to work on building NAVTOR’s presence in the market here,” comments Vangelis Linardatos, who moves from Space Electronics to the new role of Managing Director, NAVTOR Hellas. “Thanks to the powerful benefits of the solutions, and the hard work of our team, we’ve built the local marketplace into one of NAVTOR’s key customer bases. But we’re convinced there’s more that can be done.
“As shipping evolves – with new regulations, challenges and ever-increasing complexity – products like these can help owners and operators not only simplify operations and regain a sense of control, but also unlock game-changing improvements. With more innovative NAVTOR solutions on the horizon, I see this as an exciting time for the all-new NAVTOR Hellas.”
Adonis AS are happy to announce the successful acquisition of 100% of the shares in Shipadmin AS, a prominent leader in the development of operational onboard systems, particularly for offshore vessels and rigs.
Shipadmin specializes in vessel management software, such as daily ship-shore reporting, environmental compliance, document management, and Personnel on Board solutions.
This strategic acquisition significantly bolsters their capacity to provide comprehensive maritime solutions to Adonis’ existing and new clients.
Per Ove Kviteberg, Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board Adonis HR
“Having closely monitored Shipadmin’s progress for several years, we’ve witnessed their recognition in the market for pioneering solutions crafted through close collaboration with onboard end-users. Their technological proficiency will not only enhance our existing product portfolio but also heighten our competitive edge and drive innovation. This strategic move aligns seamlessly with Adonis’ long-term objectives and vision, positioning us strongly for sustained growth within the maritime industry.”
Stig Magne Larsen, Founder & Chairman of the Board, Shipadmin
“Shipadmin was founded to create user-friendly software solutions tailored to the needs of seafarers for managing administrative tasks. As a sailing captain and an active user of Shipadmin’s Vessel Manager, I’m pleased to witness its growing usefulness.
Now, it’s time to take a significant step forward by teaming up with a company specializing in comprehensive HR solutions for the maritime sector. I’m confident that the partnership with Adonis, a company that share our fundamental values and principles,.is the ideal match for Shipadmin and our valued customers.”
Digital Ship magazine provides the latest information about maritime satellite communications technology, software systems, navigation technology, computer networks, data management and TMSA. It is published ten times a year.
Address:
Digital Ship Ltd
Digital Ship – Digital Energy Journal
39-41 North Road
London
N7 9DP
United Kingdom
Copyright © 2020 Digital Ship Ltd. All rights reserved Cookie Policy Privacy Policy