Control Systems News

One-on-One with Martin McDonald, SVP, ROV Division, Oceaneering

Martin McDonald, an industry veteran with more than 35 years under his belt, is responsible for Oceaneering’s global ROV business. With a broad based of ROV experience – from operation to repair to maintenance to management – McDonald shares with MTR his insights on the historical development and future prospects of this high-profile subsea sector.How and when did you know that your career would be in the maritime/subsea industry?I grew up in Fraserburgh, Scotland, a small town 40 miles north of the oilfield city of Aberdeen. Fraserburgh is best known for commercial fishing.

Miami-Based Shipyard Adds Electronic Systems Division

Florida shipyard RMK Merrill-Stevens is adding a new Electronic Systems Division to the company.To lead the new business the company hired David Gratton, a new RMK Merrill-Stevens employee with experience in the electronics industry. Gratton’s career in electronics began in 1980 upon entering the U.S. Air Force. Gratton later worked on the environmental testing of NASA components for Teledyne Systems Company. Gratton has specialized in navigation, communications, and audio-visual, IT/networking, and PLC systems for commercial and recreational vessels.

Pacific Green Appoints Iain Lees as CEO

Pacific Green Technologies has announced the  appointment of Iain Lees as Chief Operating Officer to support company growth initiatives around proprietary emission control systems for marine vessels.The owner of the ENVI-Marine and ENVI-Clean Exhaust Gas Scrubbing Systems said in a press note that Lees joins the Company from HannawayCA Corporate Finance Limited (HCACF), a leading financial and business advisory firm in Northern Ireland where he has served as Managing Director…

Change of Command for Cal Maritime's Training Ship

After 10 years at the helm, Harry Bolton handed over command of the Training Ship Golden Bear Wednesday at California State University Maritime Academy.Bolton, a 1978 graduate of the Academy, returned to Cal Maritime on May 1, 2008 after a 30-year career with American Maritime Officers. Twenty of those years were with American Overseas Marine Corporation (AMSEA) aboard the original preposition ships based out of Guam, Saipan and Diego Garcia. Bolton began sailing as Master in 1985, only seven years after graduation.Dr.

Special Delivery: Aerial Drones Deliver Shore-to-ship

Wilhelmsen Ships Service lifts off with Airbus, bringing drone delivery to one of the world’s busiest portsPairing Wilhelmsen’s ships agency expertise and safety standards with Airbus’ expertise in aeronautical vertical lift solutions, the Agency by Air project brings shore-to-ship drone delivery to one of the busiest ports in the world, Singapore.Launching at Singapore port’s Marina South Pier in quarter three 2018, Wilhelmsen Ships Service and Airbus will be piloting the delivery of spare parts…

ABS Execs Discuss Key Maritime Topics in Singapore

ABS executives informed the industry conversation at Singapore Maritime Week, with presentations on the growing cyber security threat to maritime, new opportunities to take advantage of data, and the huge potential of LNG shipping for the region. Speaking at the Singapore Maritime Cyber Security Seminar, ABS Chief Digital Officer, Howard Fireman highlighted the opportunities and challenges presented by the ever-increasing connectivity of maritime assets. “The cyber threat is real to maritime safety, making it a relevant issue that ABS must address.

Sonardyne Hires Lynch

Navigation and positioning technology company Sonardyne International Ltd. UK, has appointed Derek Lynch as its new Global Business Manager for Marine Vessel Systems, with immediate effect.Lynch brings with him more than 25 years of experience working within the offshore energy, maritime and naval sectors. A former serviceman in the RAF and licensed avionics engineer, Lynch has held senior management positions with several technology companies involved in positioning, navigation and vessel control systems…

Autonomous Shipping Firm Massterly Appoints Top Brass

The world’s first autonomous shipping company, Massterly, has appointed Tom Eystø as managing director and Per Brinchmann as chair of the Massterly board.Announced on April 3, 2018 as a new joint venture company between Norwegian ship owner Wilhelmsen and systems and solutions provider KONGSBERG, Massterly sets out to offer a complete value chain for autonomous vessels, from design and development, to control systems, logistics services and vessel operations.“Autonomy will revolutionize…

Naval Dome, Stamco Ink Cyber Security Agreement

Maritime cyber security specialist Naval Dome has signed a contract with Piraeus-based Stamco Ship Management to install its maritime cyber defense system aboard 55 Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC).Stamco Ship Management provides technical and commercial ship management services to various companies like NYK, MOL, K-Line, China Shipping, Höegh Autoliners, WWL, Eukor and Glovis.Naval Dome will install the security system onboard the vessels’ bridge, navigation, communication and machinery control systems to deliver maximum…

Ferry Vessel Dagestan Completes Modernization

The vessel "Dagestan" with a length of 154.5 and a width of 18.3 meters was built in 1984 in Pula, the former Yugoslavia (currently Croatia). It was decided to repair and upgrade the ferry "Dagestan", withdrawn from operations 5 years ago. Modernization of the ferry, which is one of the unique vessels of its time, was completely executed by the engineering and technical personnel of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company at the "Zigh" Ship Repair and Construction Yard. It should be noted that the project of modernization…

An Integrated High-tech Approach to Port Security

DP World employs a sophisticated Vidsys technology platform to eliminate stovepipes and integrate myriad security solutions. DP World London Gateway provides deep-sea shipping access to one the largest consumer markets in the U.K. Naturally, the task of keeping all of that safe from outside threats, while also balancing that important task with the need to ensure an efficient intermodal supply chain is no easy task. That’s because this facility routinely intercepts stolen vehicles, narcotics and illegal immigrants while working closely with local and London MET police, the U.K.

Huntington Ingalls Promotes Two Vice Presidents

America’s largest military shipbuilding company announced that Jeanne Callahan has been named corporate vice president, internal audit, and that David “Chip” Wasson has been named corporate vice president, corporate strategy. Both promotions are effective immediately, and both report to Chris Kastner, executive vice president, business management, and chief financial officer. Callahan has served as director, business management, contracts and government compliance, since HII formed in 2011.

Wärtsilä acquires Transas

Wärtsilä announced today that it has acquired Transas, an innovative, digital solutions provider headquartered in the UK. This acquisition is a recognition of Transas’ strong position in the maritime technologies market and its technological leadership. The transaction will allow Transas to work within a global maritime company in delivering its solutions, bringing scale and value to the industry in need of innovation leadership. Transas is a global market leader in marine navigation solutions that include complete bridge systems, digital solutions and electronic charts.

BMT Upgrades Critical Monitoring Systems for Termap

BMT has completed an upgrade of Single Point Mooring (SPM) Telemetry and Control Systems (SPM-TCS) for Terminales Marítimas Patagónicas S.A. (Termap). The systems play an integral role in providing real time operational and environmental data, as well as critical control functions required to manage the integrity of the CALM (Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring) Buoys that currently operate at Termap’s Caleta Córdova and Caleta Olivia terminals. The CALM Buoys are used to offload crude oil from deposits in the San Jorge basin.

Interventek Appoints Stuart as Business Development Director

Interventek Subsea Engineering has announced the appointment of Bruce Stuart to the role of Sales and Business Development Director. Stuart brings with him over 30 years of commercial leadership experience and in-depth operational knowledge of the oil and gas industry. Stuart joins Interventek from Proserv where he was VP Business Development Subsea, having previously held a seven year tenure at FMC Technologies, responsible for U.K. and Canada sales and marketing for their subsea products and systems.

Remotely Operated Fireboat Under Development

Robert Allan Ltd. and Kongsberg Maritime announced a collaboration to develop a new remotely-operated fireboat that will allow first responders to attack dangerous port fires more aggressively and safer than ever before. The un-crewed RALamander fireboat will offer in-close firefighting and ‘eye in the fire’ capability that keeps marine firefighting professionals out of harm's way. Fires involving containers, petrochemicals, shore-side structures or vessels can be attacked more…

Hapag Lloyd Receives Innovation in Safety Award

The TT Club Innovation in Safety Award is now in its second year and the winner was announced at ICHCA’s 65th Anniversary Conference in Las Palmas this week. The Award is aimed at identifying innovative developments that engender greater safety and efficiency in the intermodal supply chain. Following the inauguration of the award last year, TT Club and ICHCA have been delighted with the response of the industry, which resulted this year in some twenty-two high quality entries, each revealing exciting and proven improvements to supply chain practices.

Portland Receives $1.25 Mln Port Security Grant

Port of Portland said it will receive $1.25 million from the federal Port Security Grant Program to upgrade marine terminal security systems. Through the Area Maritime Security Committee, the port successfully applied for and received the funding to rebuild key components of security systems at marine Terminals 4 and 6. Specifically, the funding will go toward renewing antiquated closed circuit television cameras and systems, and overhauling access control systems at terminal gates. Portland is one of 33 U.S. ports to receive grant funds awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

BOURBON to Support World's First Autonomous OSV Project

BOURBON entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Automated Ships Ltd to support the building of the world’s first autonomous, fully-automated prototype vessel for offshore operations, in collaboration with the project’s primary technology partner, KONGSBERG. BOURBON will provide detailed input to the development and design of the Hrönn project, ensuring flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency to operate safely and effectively in the offshore environment. In the second phase of the project…

North P&I Club Joins Cyber Crime Fight

North P&I Club joined a collaboration between shipping industry leaders, including BIMCO, DNV GL and the Marshall Islands Registry, to combat cyber criminals by committing to the CSO Alliance’s global information and reporting platform for digital attacks. Cybercrime is a rapidly growing global threat in all industries and shipping is not immune. Digital risks have industry-wide implications, and strength in numbers is the best defence against a threat that is dynamic, rapidly evolving, and multiplies when a weakness is identified.

Navis Puts TOS on Cloud 9

You don’t have to go it alone. The most experienced Terminal Operating System provider on the planet has already been there and done that. The average terminal is a city unto itself – a jumble of berths, loading docks, automated cranes and transportation vehicles, equipment control systems, yards of containers, integrated gates and tracking systems, all linked into the outside world via rail and trucking connections, and of course, the ocean. These entities and technologies need to be able to communicate with each other…

Inmarsat Offers Cyber Security Risk Assessment

Inmarsat is giving its full backing to a new joint working group formed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to develop a coordinated position on cybercrime and its prevention. The maritime industry satellite service provider said that stakeholder unity was critical in meeting the unpredictability of the cyber security threat to shipping. IACS sees the JWG approach as key to driving pan-industry technical or policy initiatives forward where the issue identified affects not only IACS Members but other parts of the industry.

New Cyber Awareness Training for Mariners

The United States Maritime Resource Center (USMRC) has launched a new e-learning course, Cyber Awareness for Mariners, the first training course of its kind for mariners on maritime cyber. Cyber Awareness for Mariners will provide mariners with a better understanding of common vulnerabilities to onboard computer-based networks and industrial control systems to include both operational and information technologies (OT/IT). It also offers guidance to help prevent onboard cyber disruptions.

USCG-approved Courses at Maritime Technology and Training Center

A variety of U.S. Coast Guard-approved maritime training courses are being offered this spring at the San Jacinto College Maritime Technology and Training Center on the Maritime Campus in La Porte, Texas. These courses are open for companies looking to update their crews’ training and licensing and for individual mariners. The Center offers a comprehensive professional mariner program and an associate degree in maritime transportation. It is located at 3700 Old Highway 146 in La Porte, Texas. Feb. Feb. Feb. Basic Fire Fighting (BST Pt. Feb. Feb. Feb. First Aid and CPR (BST Pt. Feb. Feb. Feb.

How to Reduce Risk When Selecting a Ballast Water Management System

It seems like a lifetime coming, but the IMO International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) has been approved and will enter into force on September 8, 2017. Deemed as an environmental necessity, it creates an enormous operational challenge for the maritime industry. As ship owners, system installers and BWM system manufacturers alike prepare for the many challenges associated with implementation, it would be wise to more closely evaluate the real (and sometimes hidden) risks to system operators and manufacturers.

Drives, Automation Selected for Virginia’s New Port Cranes

Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation (TMEIC) has been selected to provide industrial drive and automation solutions for The Port of Virginia’s historic expansion project, totaling 86 Konecranes Automated-Stacking Cranes (ASC) at the Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) and Virginia International Gateway (VIG) facilities. This is the largest ASC order TMEIC has received to date and the largest single ASC order ever placed by a port. “TMEIC has been a longtime…