Intellian, a global leader of mobile satellite communication antenna systems, has received Inmarsat Type Approval for the new GX100NX antenna, authorizing its use on the Global Xpress satellite network and for the Inmarsat Fleet Xpress service.

RINA, one of the leading ship classification societies, has announced the release of a new, tamper-proof, version of its electronic logbook (ELB). This innovative tool is the first of its kind to employ blockchain technology to provide a secure, traceable record of ship data for shipping companies wishing to fully demonstrate their commitment to integrity and transparency across all operations.

High Speed Transfers (HST), the recent new entry into the crew transfer sector, has placed its fourth order for a Damen next-generation Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2710, to be named HST Euan.

Dataran Elektra is appointed as the first PETRONAS-licensed agent for FUELTRAX in Malaysia.

Recently Radio Holland supplied a complete NavCom package including VSAT Communications and Sat TV, as well as a DP2 system to a Hybrid shallow-water MPSV built at Neptune Marine (Netherlands).

OSM Maritime has announced that it has secured a contract for the full technical management of Hunter Group’s state-of-the-art fleet of eco design SMART VLCCs, currently under construction at DSME in Korea. Hunter Group has eight identical 336m vessels, set to be delivered towards the end of 2019 and into 2020. The Hunter vessels will be managed from OSM’s base in Arendal, Norway, which offers an established strength in specialist tanker services. 

Classification society DNV GL, Kongsberg Maritime and Subsea7 have successfully concluded the pilot testing of Kongsberg Maritime’s (KM) DP Digital Survey (KMDS) application on board the Subsea7 vessel Seven Kestrel. The pilot tested the use of a remote digital verification tool for testing dynamic positioning (DP) systems as part of DNV GL’s D-Class project.

In March 2019, DNV GL rolled out the first fleet-wide remote survey scheme for some inspections in the classification industry. This means that for some surveys, a DNV GL surveyor is not required to travel to the vessel, but instead, input provided by the customer and crew is used to demonstrate compliance. This saves travel costs, waiting time, and reduces vessel downtime. The scheme has been warmly greeted by both customers and flag states.

Testing the dynamic positioning (DP) systems on vessels in operation has also traditionally required a surveyor visit, often alongside DP failure mode and effects analyses (FMEA) consultants and equipment vendor experts, to witness verification trials. Coordinating and conducting these tests with multiple partners can result in a vessel being taken out of operation for several days.

“The digital survey is an opportunity to deliver on our DP verification focus areas by capturing data from what are currently seen as routine events, enabling us to use these recordings as verification of our asset performance. This technology also gives us a higher data quality than we currently receive through manual trials and gives us a permanent tamper proof recording of the event. The test methodology used within the application also empowers the crew to take ownership of the system and give them greater confidence in the DP system setup onboard their vessel. This will provide us with a more robust survey and we see this as a lead into greater safety through familiarization within our fleet,” said Bryce Heslop, Marine Technical Manager at Subsea 7.

To try and reduce the burden of verifying DP systems on its customers, by enhancing efficiency while maintaining effectiveness and safety standards, DNV GL launched the Data Smart Classification or D-Class Project in 2017. It is designed to evaluate and work toward the acceptance of new methods and technology for the verification of DP systems.

“We have been involved in the D-Class project from the beginning. It offered a way for us to see how we can be more innovative in our approach to DP verification, and to improve the efficiency of our DP verification programs without compromising the safety of our asset while maintaining the integrity of the traditional survey. At Subsea 7 we pride ourselves in our open and collaborative approach with our suppliers and classification societies, so we saw this as an opportunity to strengthen ties, improve performance, and lead by example in the DP industry,” said Graeme Lorenson, DP/Electrical and Controls Team Lead at Subsea 7.

As part of the D-Class project, DNV GL initiated a pilot to examine the possibility of using Kongsberg Maritime’s DP Digital Survey tool in annual verification trials. The pilot used the tool on board Subsea7’s diving support vessel Seven Kestrel and covered both class survey requirements and standard international industry tests. The tool takes data directly from a vessel’s control systems and transmits this to a secure cloud, where it is available for assessment by expert verifiers, class, and vendors.

“The KM-DPDS application offers our customers a tool that will potentially reduce their OPEX for each DP vessel and increase the vessel’s uptime, as the individual DP trial tests can be executed during non-productive time. The competence of DP key personnel is enhanced as well,” said Eivind Alling, Vice-President of Digital Performance at Kongsberg Maritime. “The collaboration with DNV GL and Subsea7 has been of paramount importance to develop criteria for the digitalization of the Annual DP trial program, based on IMO MSC/Circ.1580, the DNV GL DP class notation and IMCA M 190 guidance document. The successful completion of the pilot paves the way for an application of a DNV GL Approval in Principal for the KM-DPDS solution.”

“With this pilot, we have proof-of-concept for using the KMDS application for verification of DP systems. This technology has the potential to provide secure and tamper-proof collection of system-generated data, which can be used as evidence for performing objective remote office assessment by class. The data collected will also form a significantly improved body of evidence for documenting test results, which can help to increase confidence in DP systems,” said Aleks Karlsen, DNV GL Senior Principal Specialist DP systems.

“This is another step forward in the wider application of remote verification technologies. The experience we have gained from working on this pilot has provided valuable experience and input to our D-Class rules and standard development. We plan to launch the results of this development by the end of this year,” added Jan van Tiggelen, DNV GL Project Manager for D-Class.

DNV GL and KONGSBERG have signed a memorandum of understanding with the ambition to help bring about digitalization of the maritime industry and greatly enhance customer benefit and ease.

Aluma Marine, LLC has delivered two (2) 30-foot Shoreline Survey Boats to the City of New York Department of Environmental Protection. The boats are tasked with supporting the City’s Harbor Monitoring Program, which monitors water quality and other environmental matters in the waters surrounding the five (5) boroughs of New York City.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, and Kongsberg Maritime have entered into an agreement where MacGregor will deliver an automated mooring system for the world's first autonomous container ship, Yara Birkeland. This will enable mooring operations to be undertaken without human intervention and supports effective operation of the fully electric, zero emission vessel. 

China’s first seagoing LNG bunker vessel will operate with a comprehensive and integrated package of highly efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions from the technology group Wärtsilä. The ship is being built by the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC) for an affiliate of the ENN Energy holdings, one of the largest users of LNG in China. It has been designed by China Ship Design & Research Center Co.Ltd. The orders with Wärtsilä were booked in Q1 2019.

Wärtsilä will provide the vessel’s cargo handling system, the Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel main engine, the gearbox, controlled pitch propeller (CPP), shaft generator, two Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines, and the ship’s sewage treatment plant. The integrated gas, propulsion, and waste treatment systems are designed to deliver high efficiency with stable and clean operations. The equipment is scheduled for delivery in early 2020.

“Being the first vessel of its kind built and owned by Chinese companies, makes this an important and exciting project. The experience and well-established track record that Wärtsilä has in LNG shipping applications is again endorsed with this latest order. Our ability as a single-source supplier to offer the full and integrated package of solutions brings real value to both the owners and the yard,” says Scott Oh, Area Sales Director, Middle East & Asia, Wärtsilä Marine.

“This project is China's first LNG bunkering vessel with a C type tank and is another milestone for DSIC in the gas carrier market. It follows the successful delivery of a VLEC with a capacity of 85,000cbm - the world's largest C type tank. These outstanding projects and more than 10 years R&D on large scale LNG Carriers, DSIC is ready for the arrival of the LNG era. We rely on Wärtsilä’s support and expertise, and we look forward to delivering various solutions for our distinguished customer,” says Richard Hu, Marketing Director, DSIC.

The 8500 m3 capacity vessel is the first newbuilding LNG bunkering vessel for ENN Energy Holdings and is part of the Group’s ambition to play an active role in the international marine LNG fuel supplier market. With this bunker vessel, ENN will be capable of supplying fuel to the world’s biggest LNG fueled vessels. 

The new vessel is expected to begin operations in 2020. It will be based at the newly opened ENN Zhoushan LNG receiving & bunkering terminal in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. In addition to providing bunkering supply operations, it will also carry out gas testing services for LNG carriers and other LNG fueled vessels.

Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd. announce that they have signed a contract to supply a 200Te Multi-Mode Pre Lay Plough to leading marine service provider Boskalis N.V.

At a signing ceremony held at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) offices in Ankara, Turkey, Vladimer Gvilava, chief of mission IOM in Turkey, and Boran Bekbulat, Damen sales manager Turkey, signed a contract for the building and delivery of nine Damen SAR 1906 search and rescue boats for the Turkish Coast Guard Command.

Royston Diesel Power has set up a new arrangement that links its enginei electronic fuel management system (EFMS) directly with the Opsealog’s maritime smart data analysis platform.

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered a Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 500 and a Multi Cat 1506 to Maritime Constructions of Port Adelaide, Australia. The two vessels have been put to use on a port extension project in Onslow, Western Australia.

Damen Shipyards Group will be presenting its new design of Shoalbuster to the maritime market during the upcoming Seawork Marine and Workboat Exhibition in Southampton next week. Damen has developed the new 27 metre long, 11 metre wide vessel in response to recent Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) changes concerning crew accommodation capacity.