BUQUEBUS

Norwegian technology firm Kongsberg announced it will install and test autonomous ship technologies on two vessels in Europe's inland waterways and short sea coastal shipping routes.The AUTOSHIP project will aim to test and further develop key technology linked to fully autonomous navigation systems, intelligent machinery systems, self-diagnostics, prognostics and operation scheduling, as well as communication technology enabling a prominent level of cyber security and integrating the vessels into upgraded e-infrastructure, Kongsberg said.

Today, Sunshine Pride, an NYK-operated coal carrier for Joban Joint Power Co. Ltd., was delivered by Japanese builder Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.Under a long-term contract, this vessel will be dedicated to the transport of coal to generate electricity at the Nakoso Power Station in the city of Iwaki, Japan.The newbuild vessel comes equipped with a scrubber system that is compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOx emissions regulation, which became effective in January 2020.Length Overall: 229 metersBreadth: 32.26 metersSummer Draft: 14.

As the demand for goods continues to rise, the need to move a higher number of containers quicker and more efficiently is also increasing with this. As a result, port operators are proactively seeking new ways to boost productivity, all while reducing costs to meet this demand.The emergence of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a significant factor in convincing ports to adopt new technologies to help them overcome the day-to-day complexities they face and not miss a beat in a fast-paced industry. But to exploit the capabilities of IIoT, seaports must have the right network infrastructure in place.

Does your training still employ traditional “classroom style” lectures where an expert conveys their knowledge to your trainees? If so, your training is an example of a diminishing trend; there is an industry-wide move away from lectures. The 2019 Maritime Training Insights Database (MarTID) report showed that while operators intend to increase their use of almost every type of training surveyed (simulation, videos, eLearning, etc.), classroom-style training stands alone with more operators intending to reduce its use than increase it. There are very good reasons for this move away from classroom-based lectures. For those responsible for maritime training, it is a call to action.

As domestic traffic from coast-to-coast continues to worsen, ferry operators are seeing a steady growth in passenger demand. As passenger demand grows, so does the demand for efficiency and hybrid technology to be incorporated into fleets. But what innovations support a fleet’s number one priority – safety? Will efficiency and the latest green technologies support these critically important vessels in an emergency situation? Is the crew aware of how much time they have to evacuate all passengers?Traditional ferry evacuation systems require passengers to be loaded onto lifeboats on deck, with the boats then lowered into the water.