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March 2015

Second Global Xpress IN THIS ISSUE

satellite launched satcoms
Virgin and Qualcomm partner with
After a wait of more than a year since the launch of its first Ka-band OneWeb for global satellite internet – 2
satellite, Inmarsat can now celebrate the successful launch of the second BlackBerry to target shipping industry – 4
satellite in its Global Xpress constellation – and a major step towards
achieving full global coverage for its next-generation service Ericsson makes play
for maritime – 10
nmarsat has successfully

I launched the second satellite in

its Global Xpress (GX) constella-
tion, with the spacecraft being sent
Asian entrepreneur aims
to make Ocean network
a reality – 14
into orbit on Sunday February 1
from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan.
The Inmarsat-5 F2 was on board an
software
International Launch Services (ILS) Hapag-Lloyd preparing for monitoring
Proton Breeze M rocket, which left the and reporting compliance – 16
launchpad at 12.31 GMT and was
acquired by Inmarsat’s ground station 3D printing of electrical
in Paumalu, Hawaii, at 18:10 GMT. components moves closer
ILS confirmed a successful space-
craft separation at 04:02 GMT on
to reality – 22
February 2, and Inmarsat could cele- Reducing administrative requirements
brate finally having its delayed I-5 F2
flight away safely.
in maritime regulations – 26
The Proton rocket carrying Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite took off
The Boeing-built satellite will be from Kazakhstan on February 1
placed in a geo-synchronous elliptical
orbit over the coming weeks, with its operation, due to take place early in Rupert Pearce following the launch.
electronics and
solar arrays and reflectors expected to
be deployed by the end of February.
the second half of 2015, global cover-
age will be in place.
“Our first GX satellite entered
commercial service in July 2014 and
navigation
By the end of March, Inmarsat says Inmarsat should then be in posi- has since been delivering an excellent
that the F2 will have been guided to tion to start delivering services using service to our customers in Europe,
New satellite imaging concept for
its final geostationary orbit during the full extent of the GX network’s the Middle East, Africa and Asia. locating vessels – 30
the electrical orbit-raising phase, at capabilities, such as its Fleet Xpress With Inmarsat-5 F3 expected for
which point testing of the satellite’s service for the maritime market. launch by Proton in the coming Unmanned vessel
payload can begin. “The successful launch of our sec- months, we are on schedule to completes first
The F2 is the second of three satel- ond Inmarsat-5 satellite by Proton is a achieve full global coverage early in self-guided voyage – 34
lites that will form the backbone of significant step forward on our jour- the second half of 2015.”
Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band ney to deliver the world’s first global- “This is a great achievement and I
eLoran looks to prove its
satellite service. When the third and ly available, high speed mobile broad- would like to pay tribute to the skill
final GX satellite enters commercial band service,” said Inmarsat CEO and expertise of Inmarsat’s engineer- worth – 37
continued on page 2

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p1-15:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:05 Page 2

SATCOMS
continued from page 1
ing teams and all our employees involved In contrast, Inmarsat now hopes to be cations for the GX network, making a set of
in the design, development, manufactur- able to launch the third and final satellite in APIs available to developers that will
ing, testing and launch. It is their dedica- the constellation within a matter of allow them to make use of GX capabilities
tion, alongside the outstanding support months, completing its global Ka-band that would not otherwise be accessible
Vol 15 No 6 we have received from our manufacturing coverage map and getting ready to make through a pure IP connection.
and launch partners – Boeing and ILS – commercial services available to maritime These APIs (application program inter-
Digital Ship Limited which has helped deliver such a successful and other sectors in the second half of 2015. faces) were introduced at an Inmarsat
2nd Floor, outcome.” Prior to that third launch Inmarsat will Developer Conference (IDC) in London at
2-5 Benjamin Street, have a hybrid product available, combin- the end of January, and the company says
London EC1M 5QL , U.K. Good things come ing FleetBroadband with regional Global it is looking to the 300 software, hardware
www.thedigitalship.com Inmarsat has had to endure a tortuous Xpress Ka-band coverage on its current and application developers that attended
wait to finally get its second GX satellite one, and soon to be two, commercially to develop “innovative and bespoke appli-
PUBLISHER airborne. operational I-5 satellites, with the service cations” that will make use of its next gen-
Stuart Fryer The launch of the F2 was significantly called FleetBroadband Xtra. eration technologies.
delayed following the failure of an unrelat- When the third and final GX satellite The Global Xpress APIs allow IT
EDITOR ed launch using the Proton launch vehicle enters commercial operation, the full Ka- providers to access built-in network func-
Rob O'Dwyer: Tel: +44 (0)20 8144 6737 on May 16, 2014, putting a major dent in band service Fleet Xpress (the name for the tionalities, such as those for delivering con-
email: [email protected] the company’s original plan of having all global maritime Ka-band offering on the tent to ships through the network’s
three Ka-band satellites launched by the GX network) will begin operation. Content Prepositioning system, while the
NEWS REPORTER
end of last year. FleetBroadband Xtra will be phased out, development of its Service Enablement
Andrew Wade: Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 3405
That failed launch was the fourth and customers will have a ‘transitional Platform will also allow for the release of
email: [email protected]
launch failure in less than two years for the period’ as they migrate on to Fleet Xpress. further APIs to developers in the future,
CONFERENCE PRODUCER Proton programme, and led to the creation The I-5 F2 satellite will cover the Inmarsat says.
Cathy Hodge: Tel +44 (0) 20 7253 2700 of a Failure Review Oversight Board Atlantic Ocean region, covering the seas In addition, developers at the Inmarsat
email: [email protected] (FROB) to analyse telemetry data and find between the US and Europe as well as event were given details on how to become
out the cause of the problem – leading to most of North and South America, and will a Certified Application Partner for the GX
ADVERTISING the postponement of upcoming launches, add to Inmarsat’s existing Ka-band cover- programme.
Ria Kontogeorgou: Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 3401 including Inmarsat’s imminent GX launch. age in the Indian Ocean region provided “We recognise the constant need for peo-
email: [email protected]
Proton was grounded for four months by Inmarsat-5 F1, which stretches as far ple and things to be connected regardless of
EXHIBITION SALES as the investigation process ran its course, east as to cover China, Korea and time or location,” said Michele Franci, Chief
Young Suk Park: Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 3409 returning to flight again on September 28, Singapore – meaning that Inmarsat will Technology Officer, Inmarsat.
email: [email protected] 2014, and successfully placing a Russian cover a large portion of shipping traffic “We have been providing global mobile
military satellite into geostationary orbit with these first two satellites. connectivity for decades and want to lever-
PRODUCTION and getting the clock started again on The final satellite, F3, will be positioned age this position to facilitate the develop-
Vivian Chee: Tel: +44 (0)20 8995 5540 Inmarsat’s schedule. to cover the Pacific Ocean region. A fourth ment of new applications, enhancing the
email: [email protected] The company did have to endure anoth- GX satellite has been ordered from Boeing way in which people interact with our
er nerve-inducing final minor delay with and is expected to be delivered in mid- technologies.”
EVENTS MANAGER
the proposed January 30 launch slot 2016, acting as a backup or providing addi- “Our new open technology approach,
Jo McGhee: Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 3412
pushed back again, though this time the tional capacity as circumstances dictate. based on building blocks made easily
email: [email protected]
wait was only an additional two days, and available, will allow both new and existing
MARKETING the company was finally able see the space- Open strategy partners to take advantage of our cutting
Diana Engelbrecht: Tel: +44 (0)20 8144 7432 craft take off successfully on February 1 – On the software side, Inmarsat has also edge technology, particularly Global
email: [email protected] just a week shy of being 14 months since recently announced its intention to follow Xpress, as a platform on which to build
the launch of the first GX satellite. a new ‘open technology strategy’ for appli- bespoke applications in new areas.” DS
CONSULTANT WRITER
Dr Andy Norris (navigation)
email: [email protected]

DIGITAL SHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS

Virgin and Qualcomm partner with OneWeb for global satellite internet
€180 per year for 10 issues
contact [email protected], www.virgin.com “OneWeb is designing a global commu-
or phone Stephan Venter on: www.qualcomm.com nications infrastructure that will enable
+44 (0)20 7017 3407 affordable internet access to the world’s
OneWeb has announced plans to build, underserved populations,” said OneWeb
DIGITAL SHIP HAMBURG launch and operate a 648-strong constella- founder and CEO Greg Wyler, also previ-
Magnushall, Hamburg tion of micro-satellites to provide global ously a founder of O3b.
18-19 March 2015
internet access, with Virgin and “With the spectrum and technology,
THE MARITIME CIO FORUM Qualcomm named as initial investors. coupled with strong partners, we look for-
@ NOR-SHIPPING The fleet will consist of a low-earth- ward to advancing global connectivity.”
Thon Hotel Arena, Lillestrøm orbit satellite constellation, designed to Virgin and Qualcomm have been named
3 June 2015 bring high-speed internet and telephony to as initial investors, with Virgin founder Sir
billions of people around the world, with a Richard Branson and Qualcomm executive
particular focus on those in underserved chairman Dr Paul Jacobs joining Mr Wyler
Printed by
The Manson Group Ltd areas. Though no specific plans have been on OneWeb’s board of directors. Virgin
Reynolds House, 8 Porters' Wood announced yet with regard to shipping, Galactic’s LauncherOne vehicle has also
Valley Road Industrial Estate the constellation could also have the been selected for the first satellite launch.
St Albans, Hertz AL3 6PZ, U.K. potential to serve the maritime market. “We are excited by OneWeb’s bold
No part of this publication may be repro-
OneWeb, a trading name of WorldVu vision to launch this major satellite con-
duced or stored in any form by any Satellites Limited, founded in 2012, says the stellation and be one of its key early
mechanical, electronic, photocopying, network will provide low-latency, high- investors,” said Mr Branson.
recording or other means without the speed Internet access directly to small user “Imagine the possibilities for the three
prior written consent of the publisher. terminals that are self-installable. The ter- billion people in hard to reach areas who
Whilst the information and articles in minals will act as small cells with the abili- are currently not connected.”
Digital Ship are published in good faith ty to provide access to the surrounding area “We’re excited for the opportunity for
and every effort is made to check accura- via a WiFi, LTE, 3G or 2G connection using Virgin Galactic’s LauncherOne pro-
cy, readers should verify facts and state-
an operator partner’s licensed spectrum, or gramme to help make it possible through
ments direct with official sources before
LTE or WiFi on unlicensed spectrum. low cost, reliable and frequent satellite
acting on them as the publisher can
accept no responsibility in this respect. WorldVu Satellites was already granted launches. Improving access to education,
Any opinions expressed in this maga- access to Ku-band spectrum in 2014, taking health care, financial systems, and employ- Virgin’s LauncherOne vehicle will be used
zine should not be construed as those on an allocation previously given to the ment will take a revolution, one that we for the first satellite launch
of the publisher. now-defunct SkyBridge satellite system. are tremendously proud to be part of.”

Digital Ship March 2015 page 2

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SATCOMS

General Electric launches dedicated marine tech organisation Telemedicine solution

www.ge.com from GHC
General Electric (GE), the US multinational www.ghc-tech.de
conglomerate, has unveiled GE Marine, a
new organisation dedicated to the maritime Germany’s Global Health Care (GHC)
market that will offer products and servic- reports that it is developing a telemedicine
es around power, propulsion and position- solution for offshore windfarms and res-
ing, as well as working on systems that will cue vessels, in partnership with two Berlin
take advantage of the ‘Internet of Things’. hospitals and the German Maritime
The new organisation will be headed by Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS), head-
Tim Schweikert, VP, GE Marine, and will quartered in Bremen.
focus on delivery and integration of myri- The system will be based around GHC’s
ad physical and IT systems including AescuLink technology, and will feature
engines, turbines and speed drives, as well real time audio and video communication,
as dynamic positioning systems, sensors, as well as live transmission of vital param-
flow meters and condition monitoring. eters such as ECG data, heart rate, arterial
“It’s the breadth and depth of experi- oxygen saturation, and temperature.
ence we are bringing together, imagining GHC is a subsidiary of Charité –
new solutions to emerging industry chal- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, one of
lenges and adapting world-class technolo- Europe’s largest university medical cen-
gies from GE’s industrial portfolio that will tres. Doctors from Charité, along with
give GE Marine an added edge to consis- doctors from emergency hospital
tently bring our customers the best marine Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, will be avail-
solutions,” said Mr Schweikert. able around the clock to provide their
“GE offers highly advanced technology medical expertise in emergency situations.
that enables our customers to operate in Video assistance will be delivered to
some of the world’s harshest environ- seafarers via either satellite or mobile com-
ments.” munications networks. Windfarms will be
GE Marine’s work will include a focus the first to benefit, with the system
on building the ‘Industrial Internet’ for its GE aims to introduce a range of technologies for the maritime market planned to rollout to maritime rescue ves-
customers, as it believes that the “deeper sels in the future.
meshing” of the digital world with the “Today’s announcement reflects how conversion business. “We plan to equip the search and res-
marine industry has the potential to deliv- GE’s focus is on growing its marine busi- “Our customers will benefit from a high- cue vessels of the DGzRS with the named
er transformative effects in predictability, ness around strong technology platforms,” ly integrated, technologically rich solution technology so that we can apply it not
shipbuilding and propulsion. said Joe Mastrangelo, CEO of GE’s power for a wide range of marine applications.” only during emergency situations in off-
shore wind farms, but also during classic
‘high sea’ rescue and emergency opera-
Imtech Marine has appointed Fergus tions,” said Nicolaus Stadeler, managing
Campbell as the new director of Imtech
Marine USA. Mr Campbell holds a
BlackBerry to target shipping industry director of the DGzRS.
GHC says the system can be operated
Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and www.blackberry.com of strategy and marketing, BlackBerry by people without medical experience,
electronic engineering, and previously Technology Solutions. and that the technology facilitates moni-
worked for Imtech Marine (Radio Holland BlackBerry has revealed plans to develop “By combining the BlackBerry global toring of the patient during transport to
USA) between 2000 and 2010. technology for the shipping industry with network and device lifecycle management shore by helicopter or rescue vessel.
the launch of its new Internet of Things proficiency with the embedded software “We have developed a technology
(IoT) platform, announced at January’s experience of QNX, we have built a modu- which excels in easy and intuitive han-
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas lar, cloud-based platform that gives cus- dling, light network payload and high
by CEO John Chen. tomers the chance to build IoT applications resilience, even in the case of a shaky link
The Canadian company, best known for in a secure, efficient and scalable way.” quality,” said Dr Trong-Nghia Nguyen-
manufacturing mobile devices, is looking BlackBerry says the platform founda- Dobinsky, managing director of GHC.
to diversify its business after its share of tion could store a detailed chain of custody
the global smartphone market has
declined sharply in recent years.
information for transported goods, and
store accurate location logs to support the
ORBCOMM completes
According to Canada’s CTV News it management and validation of perishable, SkyWave deal
plans to provide both hardware and soft- controlled, or dangerous substances.
ware that will enable cargo in shipping The company also claims that the plat- www.orbcomm.com
containers to be tracked and monitored, form could be used to improve efficiency
Chris Insall, new man at Intelsat using cloud-based communications boxes at harbours and ports, and lower regulato- Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions
which will be built into shipping contain- ry oversight costs. provider ORBCOMM reports that it has
Chris Insall has been appointed as sen- ers, consisting of a cellular radio, Wi-Fi completed the acquisition of Canadian
ior principal product manager for mar- connectivity, a microprocessor and sensors firm SkyWave, the largest M2M service
itime services at Intelsat. Before moving that monitor the cargo, its location and provider on Inmarsat’s L-band satellite
to Intelsat Mr Insall was most recently other relevant information. network.
manager, commercial programmes, at The boxes are just one example of The $130 million deal, first announced
Cobham SATCOM and was previ- BlackBerry’s new IoT platform, which uses in November, will enhance ORBCOMM’s
ously maritime product manager at technology from QNX Software Systems, a solutions portfolio, according to CEO
Inmarsat. BlackBerry company whose software pow- Marc Eisenberg.
Intellian has appointed Geoff Allsop ers embedded systems in cars, industrial “This transformative acquisition creates
as European sales director. Mr Allsop, applications, and medical devices. The the largest space-based global M2M com-
who was previously European sales man- QNX software is combined with pany with unparalleled capabilities, estab-
ager at Cobham SATCOM, will oper- BlackBerry’s own secure network infra- lished go-to-market channels and global
ate from Intellian’s UK facility while work- structure to provide the platform for network coverage,” he said.
ing with the company's European distribu- machine to machine communication. “With our expanded scope and scale,
tion centre in Rotterdam. “The BlackBerry IoT Platform blends we are well-positioned to provide the
the technologies that have enabled industry’s most diverse portfolio of M2M
www.imtech.com/E/Marine BlackBerry to become a leader in both the solutions and connectivity options that
www.intelsat.com mobile data security and embedded sys- BlackBerry CEO John Chen leverage both the ORBCOMM and
www.intellian.com tems industries,” said Matt Hoffman, VP announced the plans at CES Inmarsat networks.”

Digital Ship March 2015 page 4

p1-15:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 11:57 Page 5

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p1-15:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 11:58 Page 6

SATCOMS

Motive tests maritime TV and VOD platform for global market

www.motivetelevision.co.uk and a single server, at “a significantly
lower cost than other solutions currently
Motive Television PLC reports that it has on the market”, according to Motive.
completed the development and testing of Twin Peak’s current VOD service is
its Content Express platform for the global delivered via Eutelsat’s Hot Bird constella-
maritime market. tion, which covers Europe, the Middle East
In August 2014, Motive Television and North Africa. The new joint product
Services Limited, a subsidiary of the parent with Motive is scheduled for an initial
company, signed a deal with Greek satel- deployment on Greek ferries during Q1
lite TV provider Twin Peak. Since 2003, 2015, but plans are in place for the service
Twin Peak has provided satellite-based to be taken global.
telecom services and broadcast infrastruc- “The completion of this new application
ture to the maritime industry and current- of Content Express and its extension to the
ly provides a Video on Demand (VOD) maritime market opens up a huge global
service for on-board, in-cabin viewing of opportunity for Motive,” says Leonard M
film and TV content. Fertig, CEO of Motive.
The agreement between the two compa- “We are excited to see the first deploy-
nies will see content delivered to TVs and ment about six months after starting the
mobile devices on board via satellite feed project.” Content will be delivered both to TVs and mobile devices on board

Van Oord agrees fleet-wide VSAT deal MCP mobile phone service for 33 Carnival ships
www.marlink.com challenge is considered as our mutual chal- www.mcp.com
lenge. We are proud to work strategically
Marlink is to provide VSAT services for the with Van Oord on any needs or develop- MCP has signed a contract with Carnival
entire fleet of the international dredging ment related to communication on board.” Corporation to provide GSM communica-
and offshore contractor Van Oord, a con- tions for 33 ships across six of its nine
tract expected to include 30 vessels by the brands, providing voice, text and data cov-
end of 2015. erage for approximately 130,000 people at
Marlink has already been providing sea each day.
VSAT services to three Van Oord vessels The agreement includes consolidation
since June 2013, and says that the perform- and extension of deals already in place, as
ance of the existing service was key to this well as the addition of new ships. The full
new deal, including Committed list includes 12 AIDA ships, five Costa
Information Rates (CIR) and short notice ships, three Cunard ships, two Princess
temporary bandwidth increases on Cruises ships, three P&O Cruises
request. (Australia) ships and eight P&O (UK)
Van Oord will also be using a number of cruise ships.
Marlink Value Added Services as part of “Technologies and services like this
the new contract, such as support to run its showcase how Carnival Corporation is MCP CEO Frode Støldal
own VoIP services, allowing the leveraging our scale to drive strategic
Rotterdam-headquartered vessel operator advantages,” said Ramon Millan, CIO of
to integrate voice services onboard its Carnival Corporation. “It is rewarding to be able to supply
ships with its onshore phone system. “The size of our company enables Carnival Corporation ships with solutions
“Marlink VSAT services meet Van opportunities like this one, in which we that empower crew and passengers with
Oord's very specific connectivity require- can optimise services and technologies to services that enrich their lives,” he said.
ments for all their specialised vessels,” said enhance guest experience.” “We are excited about deploying new
Ab Argam, sales manager Benelux, MCP will be the exclusive onboard cellu- kinds of communication solutions with
Marlink. lar provider for the above ships, significant- internet services that build a new digital
“The difference now is that we work 30 vessels are expected to be ly strengthening its position in the cruise future for all people travelling and work-
together as partners, where any Van Oord installed during 2015 market, according to CEO Frode Støldal. ing at sea.”

Version 9 of SkyFile Mail released

www.airbusdefenceandspace.com and Departure (eNOAD) forms can now and direction in various file formats. GPS e-mail administration, which in turn helps
also be updated over-the-air in the new co-ordinates are picked-up several times owners to operate smarter and more effi-
Airbus Defence and Space has released version. per hour and delivered to the shipping ciently,” says Tore Morten Olsen, head of
version 9 of its SkyFile Mail software, with As soon as a new SkyFile Mail version companies’ own tracking system. maritime satellite communications at
20 new functions to assist in onboard IT or SkyFile eNOAD is available a pop-up The new GPS Monitoring function is Airbus Defence and Space.
administration. window informs the master about avail- part of the Premium package, and can also “With our flexible connectivity services,
For e-mail administration, the new ability and the size of the download. The be ordered as a SkyFile Premium on the XChange communications manage-
update introduces the possibility to create Master can then decide if and when to demand service. Other premium functions ment platform and SkyFile Mail, in addi-
business connectivity profiles with settings install it. Once permission is given, updat- previously only available as one package tion to our on board network monitoring
including mail size limit, filters and a ing and configuration is automatic, with are now also available as standalone fea- partnership with Palantir, we continue to
choice of dial-in methods when switching only the updated part of the software tures, like POP3/SMTP (including make life easier for both master and ICT
connectivity type. Connectivity profiles downloaded. Quarantine and long SMS), Terrestrial personnel.”
per terminal type are set just once and the Data back-up has been improved, with access, I4 notification including Push e- Airbus says that SkyFile Mail is today
appropriate profile is then used based on an enhanced version of the Automatic File mail, and Premium service technical sup- used on board 25,000 ships worldwide,
whether MSS, VSAT or Wi-Fi is available. Transfer (AFT) system from within the port. with more than 40,000 mariners using the
The SkyFile Mail software itself and SkyFile Mail software itself added, while “All new additions to SkyFile Mail are software on a daily basis. Version 9 of the
associated voyage management functions tracking functionality has also been designed to support our strategy of simpli- application is available now to existing
such as Electronic Notification of Arrival enhanced to provide vessel position, speed fying and homogenising on board IT and users as a free update.

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SATCOMS

Iridium NEXT software successfully tested

www.iridium.com huge step forward in launching the con-
stellation," said Scott Smith, chief operat-
Iridium has reported that it has successful- ing officer at Iridium.
ly completed the first phase of testing of its "Through a close collaboration with
NEXT platform software. Thales, we were able to develop this soft-
The software, developed by Thales ware successfully, and I have no doubt
Alenia Space, will manage all flight func- that continued rigorous testing will further
tions on Iridium’s new NEXT constella- prove its functionality and resiliency."
tion, including power management, solar The 66-strong constellation is set to
array positioning, propulsion operations, begin launching in 2015, after two more
navigation and attitude control. rounds of testing on the platform software
are completed. Iridium NEXT is scheduled for its first launch later this year
"Completion of this testing phase is a

Cape Shipping to deploy Infinity Alphatron becomes exclusive maritime

partner for Hoox encrypted smartphone
www.navarino.gr
www.cape.gr. www.alphatronmarine.com

Athens based operator Cape Shipping has Alphatron Marine has been appointed as a
agreed a deal to implement the Infinity global maritime partner for secured com-
platform from Navarino to manage IT and munications systems from Privatas, which
communications on board three ships in its will see Alphatron offer the Hoox encrypt-
fleet, as well as opting for Infinity Cube for ed smartphone through its sales and serv-
an upcoming newbuild. ice network.
Since 1987 the company has managed a The company says that the encrypted
variety of ships of various sizes, including smartphone, which secures all calls, e-
Freedom and Handy Sizes, Panamax, mails and text messages, has been award-
Cape Size and VLCC. ed ANSSI security certification and is on
Currently, three 81,600 mt Kamsarmax NATO’s list for secure communication
vessels form the core of the managed fleet, devices.
and Cape has decided to use the Infinity Alphatron Marine says it will be offering
platform on these ships. personalised packages for the device, includ- Voice calls and data on the Hoox phone
Navarino says that the company will The Infinity Cube will be installed on a ing the airtime, Hoox smart phone and will be encrypted
also use the latest version of Infinity, Cape Shipping newbuild access to a 24/7 support network. A call to
Infinity Cube, for its upcoming newbuild the company’s service desk will get the user Once enlisted, all the information sent
vessel. Cube includes similar functionality tionally features two nodes, to provide enlisted in the programme, which is manda- and received over Hoox (voice or data) is
to the existing Infinity platform but addi- improved availability and redundancy. tory when using the encryption systems. immediately encrypted.

Intellian antennas receive GX type approval

www.intelliantech.com “This is an important milestone in our
company’s progress,” said Intellian CEO
Intellian reports that both its 65cm GX60 Eric Sung.
and 1m GX100 VSAT terminals for Global “We have worked closely with Inmarsat
Xpress (GX) have been type approved by to develop these revolutionary terminals
Inmarsat engineers following live system which, in conjunction with Inmarsat’s GX
tests at sea on the Ka-band network. network, have been shown to provide true
The GX60 and GX100 include the broadband with superfast throughput.”
Intellian GX Below Deck Unit (BDU) “Working alongside Inmarsat has
which features a GX core module integrat- ensured that we are among the world’s
ed within the system. Intellian has been first manufacturers to be able to offer fully
working with Inmarsat on the develop- approved and tested terminals for
Intellian’s 65cm and 1m antennas are now certified for GX
ment of the terminals for three years. Inmarsat’s ground-breaking GX service.”

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SATCOMS

Ericsson makes play for maritime

Swedish multinational Ericsson is aiming to expand its reach in the shipping sector with the introduction of a new
Maritime ICT Cloud service which will see the company offer bespoke end-to-end IT infrastructure delivery
and management. John Taxgaard, Ericsson, told Digital Ship about the company’s plans

aving jumped in at the deep end its experiences in providing services to pared to what we believe we can bring to tionship continuing, with Globecomm act-

H with its first major maritime con-

tract – a 400+ vessel deal to pro-
vide IT and communications to Maersk –
Maersk with its new Maritime ICT Cloud
product, which it says will be something
more widely applicable across the sector,
the table.”
By acting as an infrastructure integrator
for a number of companies at the same time
ing as its sole supplier – though in the
future he notes that Ericsson may move
towards buying capacity directly from
telecoms giant Ericsson is now looking to and which can be tailored to the needs of Ericsson believes that it can use this cen- satellite operators themselves if the situa-
expand to the wider shipping segment the operators themselves. tralised purchasing power to improve the tion warrants it.
with the launch of a new Maritime ICT Effectively, what it wants to do with this prices paid by each one of its end users – “Our partner today is Globecomm, and
Cloud product. service is take over as much of a shipping agreeing one large contract for a lower they are the ones who will support us and
To date Ericsson’s experiences in the company’s IT management as the operator overall price than each operator agreeing provide us with the necessary satellite
maritime industry have been centred is comfortable with, becoming the prime separate smaller ones. However, Mr capacity, coverage and bandwidth – the
mostly around the communications infra- integrator of the organisation's technology Taxgaard stresses that this is not really various beam areas that are required,
structure services that it has been supply- systems, explained John Taxgaard, head of where the company is looking to add value. based on the needs of our customers,” Mr
ing to Maersk since early 2012, under a shipping/maritime at Business Unit “It’s not only delivery and then we step Taxgaard told us.
contract covering installation of technolo- Global Services, Ericsson. out – we operate and maintain the system “Looking ahead, it will be necessary for
gy systems on 400 vessels in its first two “What we offer here is a fully integrated that we are providing,” he said. us to create additional partnerships with
years, and also featuring a seven-year serv- managed maritime ICT cloud solution. We “I’d say the basic elements in our solu- providers of specialist services, applica-
ice agreement. are covering both the shore and the ship tion, the cloud is definitely one of the basic tions and content. Our new partners may
That deal with Maersk Line tasked side, we’re talking about infrastructure, elements, and of course the infrastructure. include satellite operators, but we don’t
Ericsson with providing systems integration back-end integration, and what we really Then we look into the backhaul, the link see a need to work with other satellite serv-
and communications to the container carri- want is to try to have more of a focus on between vessel and shore is very impor- ice providers.”
er’s entire vessel fleet, with Ericsson GSM creating more efficiency both on the ves- tant as well, so satellite infrastructure is However, satellite will not be the only
base stations being deployed on each ship. sels and also within the organisation on key, I would say, to be able to create a very connectivity option available to Ericsson
Also part of the deployment were sat- shore. We have our full focus on how we high quality of service, bringing the data for the new service. As a company with a
com systems for each vessel, which includ- can help in creating more OpEx savings,” from the vessels to shore, and also from long history in the mobile telecommunica-
ed the provision of Ku-band VSAT via he told Digital Ship. shore to the back end.” tions field, and having already provided
satellite services partner Globecomm “The way we do it is that we work very “That is really where we see our value GSM connected services to Maersk, adding
Maritime and using Cobham SATCOM’s closely with the customers, we try to devel- proposition, and that is based on a long a range of different ways of moving infor-
SAILOR 900 VSAT antennas. op, deploy, manage and customise the busi- term experience working with telcos – mation from ship to shore and beyond is a
Ericsson put in an order for 290 SAILOR ness solution. It is based on what we call we’re bringing our experience working central part of the company’s plans.
units at the time of the contract announce- ‘the consultancy approach’, jointly with the with telcos into this new industry.” “Satellite connectivity is a basic part in
ment, which the antenna manufacturer customers we move into their business and the infrastructure, it’s very important and
claimed to be the largest single maritime get a much better understanding of how The integrator will be used as a backhaul network. Mobile
VSAT order ever, with a value of at least their business is today and how it should be Ericsson’s approach with the Maritime ICT technology such as GSM and LTE will be
DKK 60 million (approximately US$10 mil- in the short and long term.” Cloud service will involve working with a the driver in securing machine-to-machine
lion) including global service, support and “I think there’s a high need in the indus- range of different technology providers to connectivity,” said Mr Taxgaard.
training. try for a player like Ericsson that is able to integrate their systems into one overall “The mobile technologies can also be
While this is an impressive pedigree to take end-to-end responsibility. The indica- infrastructure that will be delivered and used for connected centres, an example
have, it is fair to say that a deal such as this tions we get from the market when we visit maintained for the shipping company. could be how we now know that regula-
one is an extremely rare event in the indus- potential customers is clearly that they On the satellite side, Ericsson already tors will have some demands that you
try, and not something that can be replicat- have many partners, many third parties has an existing relationship with need to measure sulphur on your vessel,
ed across many other operators when it that are providing infrastructure, commu- Globecomm as the satellite services and here we can use technology to be the
comes to the size of fleet in question. nications and other management systems, provider it worked with on the Maersk active part of it.”
However, Ericsson says it is building on but it’s a very, very expensive set-up com- deal, and Mr Taxgaard foresees that rela- “I also think that there will be more and
more requirements from crew that you are
able to use your tablets, your smartphones,
and here we can use a GSM network as well.
So there are a lot of possibilities in combin-
ing satellite with mobile technology.”
“I can give you some examples – we are
looking into telemedicine and video on the
vessel, healthcare is really on our agenda
and we are doing some proof of concepts
right now with customers where we con-
nect vessels to hospitals.”
Having this variety of options to choose
from will be the best way of making sure
that the system can meet the demands of
what Mr Taxgaard believes will be massive
growth in data transmission in the mar-
itime industry in the near future.
“I think what we see today is only the
start, I think that the data will explode.
That’s also why players like Inmarsat are
looking into the future with things like GX,
and also EPIC is another system. There will
be a really high need for high capacity, and
also speed and latency will be more and
more an issue,” he said.
Ericsson wants to integrate a range of IT services and deliver them as a complete package to the shipping company
“I see that the big data will definitely

Digital Ship March 2015 page 10

p1-15:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 11:58 Page 11

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SATCOMS

come to the industry very soon – we gies still being considered for the moment. ideas about how we can improve, how we
already see it right now.” “We will strengthen our current solu- can create new strong solutions and what
Of course, heavy reliance on a commu- tion by involving new global partners. is really needed in the market. We have a
nications infrastructure can be a problem Weather data providers would be of inter- global organisation which has its focus
in the maritime sector, given that a satellite est, for example, and we have a list of part- now on further engagement around the
link out in the weather of the open sea is ners that we are looking into right now,” world and we have been engaged for more
never going to be as reliable as a cable said Mr Taxgaard. than a year with new potential customers.”
buried underground, and Mr Taxgaard “I think it’s not possible to say if it will “There are many new functions that
says that Ericsson is taking this into be one or two or many at the moment. We Maersk haven’t done yet, but of course the
account in the design of its vessel services. have a list of potential partners, but there Maersk relationship has influenced us and
“I think (reliability) will be very impor- are definitely some players in the market has given us many new ideas in how we
tant, I don’t know if it’s a concern from our that are very interesting for Ericsson.” can optimise the business, both through
side but it’s definitely a challenge. Our the solution that we have provided Maersk
solution is always based on a back-up sys- Why maritime? but also giving us some new ideas.”
tem,” he said. Outside of Ericsson’s already discussed What Ericsson wants to offer is the ben-
“An example could be how right now we ‘We think the timing is right to now work with Maersk, the company’s experi- efit of its vast experience in the terrestrial
move into the maritime area’
are using the VSAT system for more broad- ence in maritime to date has been limited, communications market married with
– John Taxgaard, Ericsson
band business but when it comes to safety so the launch of this new product is some- bespoke infrastructure solutions, incorpo-
and security on a vessel and we need to thing of a new departure for the company. rating a range of maritime applications,
have a line open, both for business and for and we are doing some proof of concepts What has driven the move has been a into an integrated product that Ericsson
calls, then that will be a back-up system.” right now with customers where we connect growing awareness of the changing tech- can itself manage for the end user – essen-
“Right now the best on the market is L- vessels to hospitals,” said Mr Taxgaard. nology profile of the wider shipping indus- tially, using existing Ericsson technology
band, and FleetBroadband is one we see as “We are using a product that is already try, and a sense that the sector will soon and adapting that for maritime customers.
being very high in terms of quality of serv- developed, what we are securing is more begin to need a more complex and sophis- “We’ve already developed what we call
ice to support some of our requirements the connectivity between the vessel and ticated IT infrastructure than had previ- a Service Enablement Platform, that is the
when it comes to a back-up system.” the hospital in this specific case. The cus- ously been the case, Mr Taxgaard told us. Cloud,” said Mr Taxgaard.
Outside of communications, other tomer where we are doing the proof of “All the indications that we get are that “70 to 80 per cent of the platform has
applications envisioned by the company as concept already has a connection to hospi- there’s a high need for a maritime IT cloud, been developed within other industries
being likely to be core services in the tals and doctors – we are securing that big data coming from vessels to shore and and can be used within maritime as well.
Maritime ICT Cloud package will include end-to-end solution to make sure it’s even more data on shore that you need to The last 20 to 30 per cent will be cus-
areas like weather data, fleet management, available and everything is in place. We transfer into the back end. All this will tomised and will be according to customer
voyage optimisation and cargo monitor- can make it happen.” require some kind of strong ICT cloud needs and requirements. So we have a
ing, and Mr Taxgaard notes that Ericsson However, Mr Taxgaard notes that the solution, so we think the timing is right to solution that is very flexible and very open,
will be looking to partner with existing process of determining whether to use one now move into the maritime area with our and we will not provide any cloud solu-
suppliers in all of these areas. or a group of companies in various areas solutions,” he said. tions that are not customised.”
“I can give you some examples – we are has not been entirely decided, with the “We have been in this business specifi- “We also think that the timing is perfect
looking into telemedicine and video on the potential to work with pools of partners or cally now for four years. Of course our because, based on customer feedback on
vessel, healthcare is really on our agenda exclusive providers for specific technolo- Maersk relationship has given us a lot of how big data can be an issue, we also think

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Digital Ship March 2015 page 12

p1-15:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:03 Page 13

Digital Ship
that data analytics is very high on the The two obvious alternatives available on connecting vessels to shore-based facil- become an integral part of this.
agenda. They need a partner that really are to build a new maritime-focused ities and shore-based facilities to the back- “We believe that everything will be con-
understands how to collect data, what is organisational infrastructure or to work end systems.” nected, and we believe that when we look
important for them and what is not impor- with established service providers through Possibly the biggest question still into maritime and shipping, there are so
tant. We also talk about engine monitoring, partnership – and it seems that Ericsson is remaining in that case is this – given that many possibilities for the next five years in
there’s a lot of data that it’s already possi- intending to go its own way by following the sector has operated in a data-con- making sure that we make the communi-
ble to get from an engine, but what is real- the first option. strained, low-tech environment for such a cation, real-time connectivity more sim-
ly important for a shipping operator? We “We are in a position where we will go long time, are shipping companies now ple,” said Mr Taxgaard.
have some ideas on how we can do that.” direct to the market,” said Mr Taxgaard. going to be willing to pay someone to take “We also see that there’s a high need for
Ericsson believes that it sees a major “We will of course use our partnerships responsibility for all of their IT completely bringing the maritime and shipping indus-
opportunity in data analysis within ship- with Globecomm and Cobham, but we are out of their hands? try up to the same level as you see on land.
ping, as an area that is lacking any legacy in a strong position where we have our “It’s a very good question, I think it’s I think that there are so many possibilities to
processes or skills due to the fact that, for organisation placed all over the world like if you want to buy a car, it’s up to you connect the machines on a vessel, it could
most of its history, moving data from ship right now, in a position to engage directly whether it should be a BMW or a Fiat, or if mean much better videoconferences from
to shore in any great quantity was just pro- with customers. That is our strategy.” you want to sign a service contract to vessel to shore – there are so many other
hibitively expensive. When asked if that will lead the compa- secure that nothing will happen during the possibilities when you look at the engine
As that landscape begins to change Mr ny to recruit more maritime expertise to lifetime of the car. It’s something like that,” and what data you want to connect.”
Taxgaard thinks that Ericsson will be able join Ericsson, Mr Taxgaard replied, “Yes, said Mr Taxgaard. “We also talk about TV and media, why
to add more value based on its own expert- definitely, it will be a mix of our own “What we are providing compared to not get a much better connection when it
ise, though he does note that data transmis- experts that have been working within the many other players in the industry as we comes to media on a vessel? Some have
sion is still relatively costly compared to on IT and telecoms area for years, and then we see it right now is that, if you look at your talked about drone vessels, that is in the
shore – and needs to be managed properly. already now have experts from the indus- total TCO, then we believe that our solu- future of course but we see an opportunity
“The data analytics part of data manage- try that have been working more than 20 tion, what we are providing to the cus- to play an important role here as well.”
ment, we see this as a very important part years outside. We will continue to do that.” tomers, definitely will save them money. While shipping may have been able to
(of improving operations),” he explained. The scale of the company’s sales reach But if you go into specific parts and only avoid the connected world for so long over
“We don’t collect unnecessary data may not be all that important for the time look at the satellite capacity and do not its history, Mr Taxgaard believes that the
from vessel to shore, data transmission being anyway, as in the current environ- focus on the whole connectivity between demands of stakeholders will make
from vessel to shore is very expensive so ment, based on the scale of the service that vessel and shore, how you operate your ‘smarter shipping’ something that compet-
we want to make sure that the customer Ericsson is envisioning, there is a some- fleet, how you manage your current com- itive operators will simply no longer be
really understands what is important right what limited number of companies that munications, then perhaps we do not have able to ignore.
now, in real time.” will be targeted as real potential customers the lowest price.” “There will be demand from the ship-
for the Maritime ICT Cloud product. “But we will always have one of the best ping operators but also from their end cus-
Market strategy “I think the top 15 liner companies have levels of quality. It depends how much of tomers, there will be a need for much bet-
Given Ericsson’s limited involvement in a fleet and company size that is interesting the end-to-end responsibility you take.” ter connectivity for the cargo from A to B,
the maritime IT sector to date, the compa- to Ericsson,” said Mr Taxgaard. With this product, and over the course so you can follow everything,” he said.
ny has also had to work on developing a “But once again, our solution is an end- of the next five years, Ericsson’s strategy is “There will be a demand from end users
‘go-to-market’ strategy that will help to get to-end, fully integrated ICT Cloud and to continue to support the development of to follow their goods via an app on a smart-
its new product out to potential customers. managed operation solution that is focused the connected world, and help maritime phone. It’s only at the beginning.” DS

Digital Ship March 2015 page 13

p1-15:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 11:58 Page 14

SATCOMS

Asian entrepreneur aims to make Ocean network a reality

Colourful Taiwanese tanker operator Nobu Su says he is close to bringing a decade-long communications project to life,
with the launch of his ‘Ocean net’ service planned for 2015. Digital Ship spoke to Mr Su about his plans for this
integrated network system – and how he believes it will change the maritime industry

ne of the most exciting aspects of US and Korea between 2002 and 2009, “So the chance to find the black box, or

O advancements in technology is
how ideas and inventions that
were once beyond our capabilities gradu-
believing that advancements in computing
and communications would one day see
his idea come to fruition.
even rescue the people, if nearby ships are
there they can go and help. So this is very
useful because aeroplanes should be talk-
ally enter the realm of the possible. “The technology at that time was pre- ing to each other and talking with ships
Video calls, for example, were once the mature but we believed, and I believed, also. I’m happy to ask the airline industry
preserve of science fiction, but millions of that technology would improve. We did whether they will consider this, because
us now use Skype and FaceTime each day. our own testing in 2007/2008 - among our it’s good for the safety of people.”
Waiting for technology to catch up with an ships, my fleet - and we succeeded and Enabling a network of vessels and air-
idea can be frustrating however. slowly improved. Crews were happy as craft to stay in contact while traversing the
Nobu Su, CEO and owner of the Taipei- they could download computer software, oceans is not without its complications, but
based Today Makes Tomorrow (TMT) use Skype, and we used it internally in my the evolution of cloud computing and
shipping company, has waited over a company,” Mr Su explains. communications technology means that it
decade for technology to reach a point “We’ve done a lot of things and we’ve is now within reach, says Mr Su.
where it can make his Ocean net mobile found out it works. You need to have the “Another big challenge is that the ships
communications network a reality. ships, or sailboat or aeroplane nearby you, are constantly moving around, whereas on
“The Ocean net system was a vision in and it’s moving, hopping, and this is the land (communications systems) are fixed. ‘We plan to offer the bare minimum of
the early 2000s, in the dotcom boom,” says hopping technology switches that we have.” So the challenge is how to connect with a fees, and we’re even considering free fees
Mr Su. Mr Su likens the Ocean net system to moving target,” he told us. for crews to use e-mails and short
“We were in the shipping business and “football players on a football field,” in “That was the challenge. Now, with messages’ – Nobu Su, TMT
we wanted to have internet in the ocean. If that boats will tend to be spread out, facil- cloud computing coming, and more 4G
you can have e-mail for the crew, it would itating the exchange of data across dis- and in future 5G, technology has with the ability to also send e-mails, text
be a great idea. So we saw this problem, tances. But just as footballers tend to clus- improved. I think now is the time, it’s prac- messages and other data.
and wanted to connect land, ships and ter around the ball, boats tend to cluster tical and could be implemented.” “We believe the system could replace
aeroplanes. A hopping system - one by around areas of high activity such as ports “Before, everyone had closed systems. AIS, because AIS is just the anti-collision
one, by ship or stations.” and major shipping lanes. So when you do the hopping, and if the system. People use AIS, but it’s better if we
The system, designed primarily for ship is out of range - in other words you can communicate with each other, and you
maritime use, relays signals across a mesh Aeroplane integration can’t find any other parties to connect with can send e-mails and SMS, or use the sys-
network of base stations, vessels, buoys Ocean net appears well suited to these - the data would have to stay there for a tem for the internet of things,” says Mr Su.
and even aircraft, sending data in a chain hubs, but questions arise as to its suitabili- while. So the system would have to be very He also expressed some doubts as to the
or web across the oceans. An interrogation ty for communication in more remote big for storing that data. But with cloud accuracy of satellite AIS information,
signal is sent out from one mobile station areas. However, Mr Su says that research computing that data can be stored any- claiming the Ocean net system would be
(vessel, aircraft, buoy etc) to ascertain shows the system should work up to where, once it’s connected, and the system more accurate, and could potentially even
whether there is another mobile station 600km from the coast, and wider ocean can become very light. So I think it is good provide better weather forecasting than
within range to receive a data packet. coverage could be possible if uptake is timing now.” some of the systems currently in place.
If a mobile station responds positively strong in the airline industry. “I believe some of the (satellite) AIS
to the interrogation signal, the first station Mr Su is hopeful that such widespread Service introduction information today is not correct. Even for
then sends the data packet, and the second adoption can be achieved, and with it Plans are in place to launch Ocean net in satellites to see the ocean, the question is
station sends a confirmation signal upon improvements in safety in the industry, 2015. Mr Su believes the system could be how they can see the ocean through the
receiving it. There can be multiple links in with planes in regular contact with ships implemented with a relatively low cost, clouds. I’m talking about a cloud or a
the chain, with data travelling securely via travelling in the oceans beneath them. with the price of data significantly lower typhoon, because you can’t see underneath.
several ships or stations before the final “When Malaysia Airlines (MH370) went than satellite communications networks. So the best weather forecast is coming from
destination for the data is reached. down in 2014, if aeroplanes were connected He also claims to be exploring the possibil- (ships on) the ocean. This way weather fore-
When Mr Su first conceived of the idea, with ships…when aeroplanes disappeared, ity of providing free e-mail and messaging cast can be more accurate,” he told us.
the technology to make the system a reali- we would immediately know where (they) capabilities to crews, with heavier data “So this will help with a lot of things, for
ty on a commercial scale was not in place. disappeared, because they are connecting packets presumably incurring a cost. us to analyse, for example, global warming
Nonetheless, he filed patents in the UK, the with neighbouring ships,” he says. “The problem is, how do you reach data. Basically the crews become the
200km, or 600km? That is the most chal- weather forecasters and tell us the truth. If
lenging and interesting things, and we plan we have this on an instant basis, we would
to launch the project this year,” says Mr Su. have more understanding of the globe.”
“We plan to offer the bare minimum of According to Mr Su, TMT is already
fees, and we’re even considering free fees for working with partners on providing more
crews to use e-mail and short messages.” accurate weather forecasting, to exploit what
Though the promise of a free basic serv- he sees as a competitive advantage that
ice sounds enticing, data needs at sea Ocean net will have. Working with third par-
today are continuously growing and a reli- ties is something he is open to in the future,
able 24/7 service is required by most but all funding for development of the sys-
ocean-going vessels, both for operational tem has so far been provided by TMT.
purposes and crew welfare. Due to the “TMT Group has been working on this
nature of its design and limitations in for more than 10 years. We’ve funded
range, Ocean net seems unlikely to fulfil development ourselves in the past, with
this requirement in the short term, with TMT Group, but we are open to discus-
satellite technology still the best option for sions (with potential partners).”
deep sea communications. Regardless of whether or not new part-
But Mr Su thinks the system is a viable ners come on board, it will be interesting to
competitor to technologies that are relied see how the system works in practice, and
upon where shipping traffic is heavy, such if adoption is wide enough to make it a
as AIS. He says Ocean net could be used to success. With rollout expected later this
exchange the identification, position, year, it is set to be a busy 2015 for Nobu Su
The system relays signals across a mesh network of base stations course and speed data that AIS uses, but and TMT Group. DS

Digital Ship March 2015 page 14

p1-15:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 11:58 Page 15

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p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 1

SOFTWARE

Hapag-Lloyd preparing for monitoring and reporting compliance

www.hapag-lloyd.com tion of the monitoring-reporting software
www.dnvgl.com used on board Hapag-Lloyd’s container-
ship fleet.
DNV GL reports that Hapag-Lloyd is “Tracking and improving our emissions
preparing to become the world’s first is important, not only for us as a firm but
shipowner certified as ready for EU MRV for our customers,” said Richard von
(monitoring, reporting and verification) Berlepsch, senior director ship manage-
emissions regulations set to be finalised ment, Hapag-Lloyd.
later this year. “Therefore we are always trying to take
The MRV regulations are being proactive steps to anticipate upcoming
designed to progressively integrate mar- regulations and be prepared with a com-
itime emissions into the EU's policy for pliance solution.”
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The The MRV regulation (No 525/2013) is a
first stage in this process is verification of proposal that would create a legal frame-
emissions data monitoring and reporting, work across the EU for collecting and pub-
and DNV GL claims Hapag-Lloyd is well lishing verified annual data on CO2 emis-
on the way to compliance in this regard. sions from all ships over 5,000 gross tons
“We are carrying out the examination DNV GL has certified the software used by the Hapag-Lloyd container fleet that use EU ports, regardless of where the
work in line with the requirements of the for monitoring and reporting ships are registered.
DNV GL Environmental Passport-Operation Shipowners would have to monitor and
– a programme aimed at providing a com- report the verified amount of CO2 emitted
plete certified operational emission inven- “We are very pleased to be working with to get out in front of the MRV regulations by their ships on voyages to, from and
tory, which addresses all of the emissions Hapag-Lloyd to develop a solution that will through early certification shows their lead- between EU ports. The regulation is
covered in MARPOL,” said Dr Jörg Lampe, allow shipping companies to more easily ership in this area and could be a valuable expected to be finalised this year, but may
senior project engineer for risk & safety and meet the challenges of complying with the commercial advantage.” not come into force until 2018, according to
systems engineering at DNV GL. upcoming MRV regulations. Being willing The certification also includes a valida- DNV GL.

Online maritime risk map from North P&I Club and Gray Page e-Compliance launches
www.nepia.com tion and trafficking, as well as physical our vetting service for armed maritime
Maritime Thesaurus
www.graypage.com threats to seafarers such as piracy, kidnap, security providers,” said North joint man- and Ontology
armed robbery and hijack for cargo theft. aging director Alan Wilson.
The North P&I Club has teamed up with The danger areas are based on the current “The new interactive tool provides real- www.e-compliance-project.eu
maritime consultancy Gray Page to create UK Joint War Committee listed areas for time information on maritime incidents,
an online map highlighting threats and war, piracy, terrorism and other hull per- casualties and threats to shipping world- The research project e-Compliance has
incidents at sea. ils. wide, enabling our members to respond announced the arrival of its Maritime
Based on an interactive Google map “The new maritime threats and inci- quickly and immediately to current inci- Thesaurus and Ontology, designed to help
platform, the Maritime Threats and dents picture is the latest stage of our col- dents.” with the drafting, structure and under-
Incidents Picture identifies commercial laborative relationship with Gray Page, The risk map will be jointly hosted on standing of maritime regulations.
risks including fraud, sanctions, corrup- which started in 2011 with the launch of the websites of North and Gray Page, who Partly funded by the EU, e-Compliance
began collaborating on this particular proj- was created to facilitate tighter integration
ect in 2014. of maritime law produced by various bod-
“Gray Page first developed and ies. The project will use the thesaurus and
launched the maritime threats and inci- ontology as the basis to develop semantic
dents picture back in 2013,” explains Jim technologies for searching, drafting and
Mainstone, head of intelligence at Gray annotating maritime regulations.
Page. According to e-Compliance, the the-
“Then last year, North and Gray Page saurus is “a hierarchically structured con-
began jointly collecting intelligence on the trolled vocabulary” that contains a large
‘enduring risks’ facing shipping for the number of terms which are frequently
purposes of populating the database.” used in maritime law. It distinguishes
“We hope that by sharing reliable risk between a “preferred label” and one or
analysis freely with the shipping commu- more synonymous “alternative labels”,
nity, the industry will be able to mitigate thereby encouraging the use of official and
The risk map displays a range of different potential threats
some of the inherent risks in shipping.” unambiguous terms, such as ‘vessel’
rather than ‘boat’.
The ontology will act as a data structure
Global database for missing seafarers go live to model the creation of maritime regula-
tions, and is intended to capture the mean-
www.missingseafarers.org multiple websites, and it is hoped that it “This programme is a perfect example ing of laws in a computer-readable fashion.
will eventually become a multilingual plat- of the HRAS drive for providing practical It breaks down regulations into Classes,
Human Rights at Sea (HRAS), an inde- form, enabling people from across the solutions to human rights issues in the then labels the Target (subject of the rule,
pendent maritime human rights organisa- globe to input key information and update maritime environment.” e.g. tankers), Context (the circumstances
tion based in London, has announced the details through a moderated and securely The platform was developed in collabo- when the rule applies, e.g. at sea) and the
launch of the ‘Missing Seafarers Reporting encrypted platform. ration with C Data Services, two of whose Requirement (e.g. must have AIS engaged).
Programme’, an international database “The delivery of the first publicly avail- directors served at sea. Using this structure, the regulation
where details of missing seafarers and fish- able phases of the Missing Seafarers “There are currently no statistics avail- ‘tankers at sea must have AIS engaged’
ermen can be submitted and recorded. Reporting Programme has been an able on the number of people missing from could be stored in a computer-readable
The platform aims to build an accurate immense effort from all those involved,” the 1.5 million registered seafarers world- format, according to e-Compliance, which
international database of the status of sea- said David Hammond, barrister and wide,” said Mike Robinson, operations would give software a basic understand-
farers and fishermen missing at sea on a founder of Human Rights at Sea. director of C Data Services. ing of legal texts.
global basis, raising international awareness “This platform will become an HRAS “This makes The Missing Seafarers The technology will rely on the existing
by profiling individual cases. It will be used flagship programme and its global impor- Register a valuable resource for investiga- content enrichment system Luxid, built by
to support legal investigations into specific tance has not been lost on any of the enti- tion and analysis, as well as emphasising e-Compliance partner Temis, and will be
cases of abuse, injury or even death at sea. ties involved in its conceptual and practi- the global scale of this issue to a wider configured specifically for the maritime
The database will be accessible through cal development.” audience.” domain.

Digital Ship March 2015 page 16

p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 2

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p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 3

SOFTWARE

Videotel teams up with Mines Rescue Marine Digital charter party

www.videotel.com tion to industry efforts in the prevention of 50001 Energy Management Training
solution from CP-Desk
needless loss of life,” says Nigel Cleave, Course, designed to help ship owners www.cp-desk.com
Videotel has partnered with Mines Rescue CEO of Videotel. and managers reduce emissions and costs
Marine (MRM), part of Mines Rescue “As a further extension of its all-encom- by more effectively managing their ener- CP-Desk, part of The Marcura Group,
Service Ltd (MRSL), to create a system passing programs on enclosed spaces, gy systems. reports that it has launched CP-Vault, an
designed to improve the safety of mariners Videotel is pleased to be able to take this ISO 50001, created by the International online solution that digitally captures
operating in enclosed spaces. unique step in helping the maritime indus- Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), charter party documentation and informa-
The Enclosed Space Management try take a proactive approach towards a specifies the requirements for establish- tion for contract management.
System is designed to assess, audit and significant reduction in issues involving ing, implementing, maintaining and CP-Vault will digitise paper-based char-
manage the safety of enclosed spaces on enclosed spaces.” improving an energy management ter documentation, then organise and store
board ships, helping to combat the number MRSL’s main focus is on improving the system. it in an online repository. The data will be
of accidents and fatalities. safety of mineworkers, and the MRM divi- The Videotel training programme will hosted at an ISO-certified and SSAE-audit-
Videotel says it is the only computer- sion was set up five years ago to apply that include seven modules outlining how a ed facility within the EU, and will be acces-
based system that facilitates compliance knowledge to enclosed spaces in marine fictitious shipping company sets about sible from anywhere, according to CP-Desk.
with the IMO’s regulations on safety man- environments. achieving ISO 50001 certification, and A dashboard will provide an overview of
agement of enclosed spaces, providing an ‘’This is the culmination of a two- includes measures specific to the shipping charter documentation, and users will also be
audit process for assessment of risks and year project initiated by our realisation industry, such as MARPOL’s fuel and provided with version control and version
implementation of solutions. that one of the major problems on ships emission controls in Emission Control history, as well as drop down menus, email
Spaces are assessed based on factors and offshore installations was the lack Areas (ECAs). notifications and drag & drop functionality.
such as their dimensions, difficulty of of detailed audited information on “This is an excellent programme for “We value our customers and we take
entry, availability of communications and enclosed spaces, and a specifically ship owners and ship managers who want their trust in us very seriously,” says
potential rescue issues, with a traffic light designed depository for it,” says Adam to review their energy performance,” says Captain Errol Gonsalves, managing direc-
system in place to indicate the overall dan- Allan, managing director of Mines Mr Cleave. tor of CP-Desk.
ger level. Rescue Marine. “Whilst ships are considered to be the “In fact, we developed CP-Vault based
Crew members can add to this process “We felt that if we could provide a facil- most fuel-efficient way of transporting on customer input, and we have beta tested
by contributing their own comments and ity which shares information with not cargo, there are still areas where improve- the solution with several key brokers and
photographs of individual spaces on only crew members, but others working ments can be made. By following our charterers already, with excellent results.
board, and information can be viewed on board, such as surveyors and contrac- course, shipping personnel will learn how CP-Desk is proud to offer this targeted solu-
onshore as well as sent to third parties via tors, it would considerably increase the to successfully implement an energy tion that will both help our global customer
PDF reports. safety of people entering and working in management programme that will not base streamline these complex, time con-
“We are very proud of the Enclosed these spaces.” only help to reduce their company’s oper- suming processes and enable us to strength-
Space Management System which, we In related news, Videotel has also ating costs but will also result in a better en our position as a premier provider of
believe, will make a meaningful contribu- recently announced the launch of an ISO environment.” charter party administration services.”

BASSnet software for RHL fleet Korean Register launches fuel changeover software
www.bassnet.no operational efficiency and optimise the www.krs.co.kr could lead to the vessel burning more of
www.hamburger-lloyd.com utilisation of our diverse fleet. With the the expensive low sulphur fuel than is nec-
fully integrated BASS software system, we The Korean Register (KR) has launched an essary.
Norwegian provider BASS reports that are confident of maximising the return on in-house developed software program that The new software (called fuel oil change
Reederei Hamburger Lloyd GmbH & Co our investment.” aims to assist vessels in complying with over - FOCO) also provides technical data
KG (RHL) will be deploying BASSnet soft- According to RHL, the selection of fuel oil change over requirements in line that can be used to report to port state con-
ware across its 28-strong fleet of container BASSnet came following detailed due dili- with low sulphur regulations. trol if change over times are questioned,
ships and chemical tankers. gence by an RHL team that included expe- From 1 January, MARPOL Annex VI the classification society notes.
The fleet management system will rienced merchants, nautical officers and Reg 14 requires vessels sailing within an “As a professional engineering service
cover almost all aspects of operations, with marine engineers. BASS says its ability to emission control area (ECA) to burn fuel provider, we have developed a variety of
RHL deploying multiple BASSnet mod- offer a complete fleet management solu- with a sulphur content of 0.1 per cent or technical solutions to help our ship operat-
ules including Maintenance, Projects (Dry- tion was a key factor in winning the con- lower, meaning that ships must switch ing customers achieve fuel economy,” said
docking), Procurement, Document tract. from normal fuel to low sulphur fuel KR chairman and CEO, Dr B. S. Park.
Manager, Operations, Safety Information “We are extremely pleased to have met before entering the restricted zone. “This software program comes at a time
Reporting (SAFIR), Risk Manager, RHL’s stringent criteria and lived up to its KR says that its new software assesses when the shipping community is working
Reviews and Improvements, and the KPI commitment to excellence,” said Per fuel consumption at actual operating hard to comply with strict environmental
Dashboard. Steinar Upsaker, managing director and speed to accurately calculate the time controls and is part of a range of tools we
“Our choice of BASS shipping software chief executive officer at BASS. required to completely switch to a low sul- are developing to help our customers and
solutions is anchored in its focus on pro- “We do see a trend where European phur fuel rather than following typical stakeholders.”
viding a fully integrated software suite for shipping and offshore companies opt for a current practice of relying on the chief The FOCO program is now available for
ship owners and ship managers,” said quality complete Fleet Management solu- engineer to make the decision, which free download from KR’s website.
Michael Brandhoff, managing director and tion after experiencing lack of functionali-
chief operating officer at RHL.
“Only via the one complete solution
ty and (inferior) technical platform(s) from
other software suppliers. We do see a lot of
Pacific Basin to roll out DNV GL ShipManager
that BASS provides can RHL maximise opportunities in the European market.” www.dnvgl.com OPEX (operational expenditure) reports
and in monitoring KPIs via the Analyzer,
Handysize bulk carrier operator Pacific which extracts data from all of the
Basin has confirmed that it is to implement ShipManager modules.
DNV GL’s ShipManager fleet manage- “This is expected to reduce a lot of man-
ment system across its owned fleet within ual work and give our fleet managers all
the next two years. information in one place for management
The software system will be used to of data and trends. The system also allows
simplify and optimise ship management the integration of data from previous solu-
processes to allow for fleet-wide data col- tions,” says Raghvendra Lavania, project
lection, integration and analysis. manager at Pacific Basin.
Pacific Basin will be using six integrat- “The system is easy to learn, user-
ed ShipManager modules: Technical, friendly and technically innovative.
Procurement, Project, Crewing, QHSE ShipManager will integrate to our new
RHL will deploy various software modules to cover different ship management areas and Analyzer. The modules will support accounting system and provide customised
Pacific Basin in generating dynamic reports to manage our fleet efficiently.”

Digital Ship March 2015 page 18

p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 4

Multi Function Display

Redefining ocean navigation
Available as radar, ECDIS or conning or a combination of the three, our new Multi Function
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p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 5

SOFTWARE

AVEVA design software for

ECDIS Eversendai Offshore

www.aveva.com
www.eversendaioffshore.com
“AVEVA Marine was the most talked
about solution during our research of the

Existing Tankers
market,” said Suresh Ramadoss, head of
AVEVA reports that Dubai-based engineering, Eversendai Offshore.

Mandate July 2015

Eversendai Offshore has deployed its “It is the best suited for marine and off-
AVEVA Marine software, a set of design shore projects and integrates with
and engineering applications that will be AVEVA’s PDMS software which is a mas-
used on a series of new marine and off- sive bonus for Eversendai Offshore and
UNCOMPLICATED CONVERSION shore projects, including topsides, plat- our clients. It is also Citrix Ready which
forms and ships. gives us the flexibility to work on the same
NAVTOR provides the total Eversandai Offshore specialises in large project across any of our offices.”
navigational package, both digital EPC (Engineering, Procurement and “One other major advantage is the auto-
and paper charts and publications Construction) projects, and has a newly matic and accurate extraction of NC data
established 200,000m² fabrication facility directly from AVEVA software to the pro-
when transferring to ECDIS as in RAK Maritime City, 130km north of file and plate cutting machines. This fea-
the prime navigational source Dubai. The agreement includes the full ture is extremely useful for new companies
suite of AVEVA Marine engineering and like ours since we can ensure that there are
STANDARD SOLUTION design applications, and marks the first no errors in the NC code and it removes
time the companies have worked together. the need for 3rd party interface software.”
NAVTOR is compatible with
all ECDIS brands

SIMPLE DISTRIBUTION
NAVTOR offers Global ENC coverage
immediate available on NavStick

SEAMLESS UPDATING
NAVTOR provides ENC updating
without CD/DVD delivery

The AVEVA software will be used on a range of new projects

BMT SMART has appointed Martin Yangtze River, which will act as its centre
Penney as sales and marketing director. for operations in Central China. The new
Mr Penney has previously worked in the office will service most of Jiangsu
aviation industry, and has spent the last Province, and will be headed up by area
five years in the marine sector, developing manager Chen Keng.
the vessel performance and energy effi-
ciency market at Eniram.
NAVTOR’s AVCS service is www.bmtsmart.com
pre-loaded on the USB-based DNV GL has opened a new office in www.dnvgl.com
NavStick, providing navigators global charts Nanjing, 300km east of Shanghai on the
and licences to the ECDIS. An online synchronisation
feature ensures that the latest updates are always available.

1$9725LVRXWÀWWLQJVKLSRZQHUVWKDWFRQWURORYHURI
1RUZHJLDQ RIIVKRUH ÁHHW $ JRRG UHDVRQ IRU \RX WR FDOO
Seagull training centre
1$9725IRUDWULDODQGJHWUHDG\IRUWKH(&',6PDQGDWH gets Panama approval
www.seagull.no the PMA. Seagull can now conduct train-
ing courses on the PMA’s behalf in line
Seagull Maritime reports that its training with the lnternational Convention on
[email protected] centre in Horten, Norway, has received Standards of Training, Certification and
www.navtor.com approval from the Panama Maritime Watchkeeping.
Authority (PMA), the first overseas “In most cases flag states review indi-
approval of its kind since the PMA vidual courses, while their approval of the
changed leadership in 2014. training centre itself is based on approvals
“We are the first training centre in the we hold from the Norwegian Maritime
world to be audited and approved by the Authority,” said Mr Tau.
new administration of PMA outside of “Separate approval from Panama - the
Panama, as part of an exhaustive review largest ship registry in the world, with
by the flag state demanding the attention about 8,600 ships carrying its flag –
of six Seagull Maritime staff,” said Torger included a request to verify our own
Tau, training courses manager, Seagull record-keeping on seafarer data. Our
Maritime AS. archive was interrogated at random down
Approval was granted following a to the level of single seafarer records,
two-day inspection of the training centre, while PMA required a briefing on our
carried out by a three-member team from training methods.”

Digital Ship March 2015 page 20

p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 6

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p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 7

SOFTWARE

3D printing of electrical components moves closer to reality

The benefits to maritime of the growth of 3D printing could be about to increase significantly with the introduction of
a new printer that aims to allow for the production of pieces with built-in electronic components. Digital Ship spoke
to the people behind this new system, Voxel8, about the potential impact of the technology
D printing is a technology with the Harvard University. I found Jennifer and a below 5.0x10-7 Ω-m, a value that makes it print the shells of hearing aids and then

3 potential to have a major impact on

the shipping industry. Vessels in the
open ocean are a long way from spare
couple of her tech guys, and she had so many
cool things going on in her lab, we worked to
figure out which aspect of her work we
20,000 times more conductive than the
most conductive filled-thermoplastic fila-
ments, and more than 5,000 times more
someone has to hand-place all the electron-
ics and wire them up together by hand
inside the hearing aid. We think we could
parts, and the ability to print basic replace- wanted to spin out into a company and what conductive than carbon-based inks. create hearing aids, and novel electronic
ment components while at sea could solve it would do and everything like that.” “It’s a proprietary formula developed packages like that, that have sensors, chips,
a lot of problems for mariners. “That was about 18 months ago, and we in-house and it’s kind of the ‘secret sauce’ batteries, and wire them all up together very
In the November 2014 issue of Digital Ship, spun out the company about nine months of what we do,” said Mr Oliver. easily with our printer,” said Mr Oliver.
Maersk spoke about how it hopes to benefit ago and raised funding from Braemar “Typically 3D printed materials are “We’re also excited to really allow peo-
from the technology, and the type of scenar- Energy Ventures and kind of went from either filaments, or oftentimes like a resin ple to come up with new things that they
ios it could be used in. The Danish shipping there. So that’s how it started.” that’s UV-cured or a powder. “ want to print. People don’t even think about
giant is planning to install a 3D printer on By printing in multiple materials, Voxel8 “But this is a paste that we squeeze out creating 3D electronics because, frankly,
board one its tankers, and has already is capable of creating more complex objects using air pressure and you get a nice little there’s no way of doing it. But this is a great
undertaken some testing, successfully print- than traditional 3D printers. As one of those filamentary shape not unlike what you’d way of making really seamless, dense elec-
ing a plastic fan blade for on board use. materials is conductive ink, it is essentially get if you squeezed a toothpaste tube. That tronic packages that fit right into whatever
But as with other emerging technolo- possible to create items with electrical basically cures at room temperature and you were going to make anyway.”
gies, the landscape of 3D printing is con- wiring – and as such, the range of objects becomes highly conductive, and also hard- “So really we think if we can get this
stantly evolving. Innovations around that can be printed expands rapidly, and ens at room temperature.” technology out, get the word out - and
materials and build structures are happen- pieces of real value can start to be created. When building an object, printing auto- that’s one reason we’re really happy to talk
ing at a rapid pace, and start-ups are forg- “Typical 3D printers are very good at matically pauses to allow users to place to Digital Ship, because you guys represent
ing the way alongside the traditional print using a single material to create mould- electronic chips in designated locations, and a whole different industry than some of the
powerhouses such as Hewlett Packard. able shapes and geometries. What we’re resumes once that is complete. The end typical publications we talk to.”
One company making waves with multi- trying to do is add function into those result is 3D printed objects with integrated “But if people have this idea, ‘Hey, I can
material printing is Massachusetts-based parts that you’re getting off your printer,” wiring and electronics systems, encased in make my electronics three dimensional.
Voxel8. Consisting predominantly of Mr Oliver explained. the overall 3D-printed structure. Where can I fit them? What type of new
Harvard staff and alumni, Voxel8 bills itself “What I mean by that is, the silver ink, it The possibilities opened up by the tech- products can I make?’ - that’s really where
as the creator of the world’s first 3D elec- can do novel shapes, it can do novel 3D nology are exciting, says Mr Oliver. we get excited. We think we’ll be able to do
tronics printer, using conductive silver ink architectures, but it has a functionality past “Right now what we’re really targeting some things better that exist today, but we
inside larger thermo-plastic designs that just its shape after it’s printed. For is to allow people to rapidly prototype 3D really think we’ll enable a whole host of
allows for the creation of 3D printed objects instance, the silver ink is conductive, so electronics, and we don’t have a lot of the new ideas that people just wouldn’t have
with integrated electrical components. you can use it to create wiring inside of advanced systems that would really allow thought of before, because there was no
As the technology develops this could your 3D object which allows you to embed you to get to very, very fine pitch sizes and reason to, because they didn’t have the tool
allow for 3D printing of computer compo- electronics in what you’re printing. “ things like that. People are hand-placing to make them.”
nents or replacement parts for IT systems “Jennifer’s lab in general is very good at components on our printer, although
on board a ship – potentially changing the creating materials that can be co-printed we’ve designed the printer to make that Maritime suitability
game completely for maritime IT managers. together and then have these kinds of really simple,” he told us. As previously mentioned, 3D printing is
Digital Ship spoke to co-founder and advanced properties down the line. So her “We’re targeting pitch-to-pitch pin sizes something already being explored by the
business development lead Daniel Oliver lab has demonstrated printing batteries, on electrical chips of 800 microns for peo- shipping industry, and the technology
about the company, the technology, and it’s done some bio-printing stuff. We chose ple to be able to connect to, which frankly could dramatically improve operations
the possibilities it might hold for the future to start more with the electronics materials, allows you to connect to a whole host of and even safety at sea.
of the shipping industry. and the idea is if we can incorporate elec- different chip sets. In the future though Rather than carrying vast amounts of
“This company is based on technology tronics materials into 3D printing it really there’s almost no reason we couldn’t con- spare parts in an attempt to prepare for
out of Harvard Professor Jennifer Lewis’s expands the set of objects and usefulness of nect to almost all electric components.” any eventuality, the ability to print
material sciences lab. She was kind of the what you’re printing.” Voxel8 believes that right now the tech- replacement parts on demand at sea could
impetus behind the company starting, nology is best suited to prototyping, however help reduce costs.
she’s the inventor behind the technology Development further advancements will mean that prod- As the industry becomes ever more
and she’s actually our current CEO, and Voxel8 is by no means the first company to ucts currently made using traditional manu- reliant on satellite communications, and
another co-founder. So she’s really where explore the possibilities of multi-material facturing methods could soon be produced data usage continues to grow, antennas and
everything started,” he told us. printing, but what sets it apart is the use of using 3D printing technology such as this. other satellite equipment become increas-
“I went to Harvard Business School and I its silver conductive ink, developed by the “Down the line we’re really interested in ingly critical. The ability to repair this equip-
received a fellowship to try and commer- team at Harvard. being able to print things that exist already. ment mid-voyage using 3D printed parts,
cialise technology out of one the labs around This ink has a bulk electrical resistivity Hearing aids for instance – they actually 3D though not possible yet, is something Mr
Oliver believes is achievable in the future.
“Obviously the first platform has some
limitations, but down the line if the use
case was compelling enough we could
build a printer to do almost any type of
electronics. One of the things we’re really
looking for is people to give us feedback on
where they’d like to use this, so that when
we’re targeting our next platform, we can
really direct it toward specific-use cases
and improve the technical aspects that
really need to be improved,” he said.
“On-demand spares is something that I
think 3D printing will be adopted for, for
lots of different things. Single-material
metal printing has already started to do
that, but we think there’s a whole host of
electronics part that burn out all the time
The Voxel8 3D printer can print electrical wiring inside the objects being created and have problems, and if you could

Digital Ship March 2015 page 22

p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 8

The new
Crew Management

Experience Innovation
Meet us at Digital Ship Hamburg, Germany
18-19 March | Stand 4

www.hanseaticsoft.com/cc
p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 9

SOFTWARE

reprint boards on the fly, or reprint anten- “We just wanted to start with two to per- ume of the print. Our print technique is no makes sense. So that’s something we’re
nas and things like that, I think that’s real- fect them, so that they work well. Our cur- slower than any other print technique - it’s aware of and something we’ll definitely be
ly compelling use.” rent platform has modular print-heads so all based upon the volume of material thinking of incorporating in the future.”
“We’re not there yet - although we do that you’ll be able to pop out either print- you’re depositing,” Mr Oliver explained. As for printing at sea, Mr Oliver
have a platform that would allow people to head, pop in a new print-head and have a “To put in perspective how much the believes there is no reason why the Voxel8
make some pretty compelling prototypes whole new material. So it will always print materials will cost, I think the quadcopter system wouldn’t be able to operate on the
today - but we’re definitely pushing with two heads, but it will hopefully even- would cost you about four or five dollars oceans, although adjustments might have
towards that.” tually be able to print with several different to print. I’m not including the electric com- to be made to allow for wave movement
To get to that point, advances in materi- materials on the same platform.” ponents that you would slot into the quad- and big seas. However, he believes any
als and printing techniques will need to Voxel8 showcased its technology at the copter, but the print consumables would problems that did arise from the rocking of
occur first. The complexity of most electron- recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) be about four or five dollars.” the ocean could be overcome.
ic objects is far beyond the capabilities of the in Las Vegas. CES brings together every- While the body and the wiring of the “I think our development platform
Voxel8 printer for now, but the Harvard lab thing from Ultra HD TVs and smart watch- quadcopter are printed without human would do fine. There’s nothing in the
where the technology was developed is es, to the latest in consumer robotics and interaction, it still requires hand-placing of swaying back and forth that would create
already experimenting with other materials, connected homes. Voxel8 received wide- certain pre-fabricated elements, such as the problems,” he told us.
and a license agreement means the compa- spread media attention, making headlines motor and the blades. This makes sense for “It’s definitely something that would be
ny is set to benefit from that research. in technology publications such as Wired. prototyping and early stage product devel- solvable anyway - it’s a mechanical issue
“We definitely have aims to expand into “CES was really great. We were actual- opment, but large scale manufacturing that would be solvable, and if that’s the
a whole host of materials beyond thermo- ly named one of the top nine innovations at would need systems to automate every use-case we want to attack, that’s definite-
plastic. In this lab there’s quite a bit of inno- CES and we had a flood of people coming stage of the process. ly something we could go and do.”
vation on other materials. We call them up and talking to us at the show, and the “That’s definitely something we’re “I’m almost positive they have 3D print-
‘nature materials’ - basically the materials feedback we were getting was really, real- looking at,” noted Mr Oliver. ers on ships and oil platforms already.
that create the structure of what you’re ly positive,” said Mr Oliver. “For machinery creating much higher vol- There might be some mechanical changes
printing. They’ve done a whole bunch of “Firstly, it was really great for the whole umes and things like that, I think machine- we’d have to make to our printers, but
work that we’re able to license into the com- team to hear how excited the outside pub- placing of electrical components makes a lot there’s nothing about our technology that
pany and we have access to those patents, lic was. I can’t share exact numbers (on more sense. For a prototyping platform, we cannot be printed on a ship.”
so we definitely will be releasing new mate- sales), but we’re really excited on the pub- evaluated it, but frankly it didn’t make too Voxel8 is currently taking orders for its
rials in the future,” said Mr Oliver. lic feedback.” much sense because you would have to developer’s kit, which includes the printer,
“We really believe in the idea of multi- On display at CES was a Voxel8 3D- hand-load all the components each time.” ink cartridges and filament spools. It is
material printing, and that really allows printed ‘quadcopter’, a miniature helicop- “You’d basically be doing a different expected to start shipping units in late 2015,
the set of things you can make to expand ter similar in design to the camera drones design each time, and for the pitch sizes we at which point it will be up to the public to
greatly, so you’re not just left with statues that have grown in popularity in recent were targeting, hand-placing was going to explore how best the printer can be used.
or figurines. Anything you’re holding in years. The quadcopter is a good example of work, so we found a solution that I think At around $9,000, the printer won’t be
your hand that’s super-valuable has sever- Voxel8’s current capabilities, with simple really works well for prototyping. But if within everyone’s budget. But for many,
al materials working in concert, and almost electronics incorporated into a straightfor- you’re pushing this thing to the limits of including those in the shipping sector, its
always embedded electronics, so we’re ward plastic structure. how much volume it can print, and sizes of potential is genuinely exciting and the
really interested in continuing to push the “The quadcopter takes a little less than electrical components it can connect to, evolution of the technology will be keenly
number of materials we’re printing.” two hours to print. It’s all based upon vol- moving to more advanced systems really followed. DS

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Digital Ship March 2015 page 24

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p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:18 Page 11

SOFTWARE

Reducing administrative requirements

in maritime regulations
This article presents the main findings and conclusions of the first-ever public consultation undertaken by
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on administrative burdens associated with mandatory
IMO requirements, such as conventions, codes and other instruments.
n 2013, in an effort to gain a greater sensus-driven regulatory processes, the tions; governments (in their capacity as captured in the reported view of one stake-

I understanding of the administrative shipping industry and other maritime Parties to IMO conventions) and maritime
burden being placed on stakeholders stakeholders are an integral part of the solu- administrations (of flag, port and coastal
in the maritime industry, the Steering tion to reduce administrative burdens and States); IMO Secretariat (including the
holder on the voluminous paper work
imposed by charterers, ship management
companies, P&I Clubs and port agencies,
Group for Reducing Administrative thus achieve better and smarter regulation. Secretary-General); and other stakeholders stating that administrative burdens ema-
Requirements (SG-RAR), established by This close cooperation is also in the inter- with an interest in maritime regulation. nating from IMO instruments were “the
IMO’s Council and supported by the IMO ests of the longer-term sustainability of The selected categories pertaining to very minimum” by comparison.
Secretariat, began a consultation process to international shipping as it is confronted mandatory IMO instruments were related However, even when individual admin-
gather public opinion on the impact of with ever-increasing, as well as stricter safe- to safety (the SOLAS Convention); envi- istrative requirements are justified, their
mandatory IMO instruments on the work- ty, security and environmental regulations ronmental protection (the MARPOL combined volume causes ships’ crews to
load of the shipping sector. in response to the demands of civil society. Convention); seafarers’ training and certi- spend considerable time on bureaucratic
Between May and October 2013 a dedi- In short, it is of vital importance that fication (the STCW Convention); liability tasks, rather than actually manning and
cated webpage was created for the consul- IMO conventions and other instruments and various other areas of regulation. operating the ship, and this in itself may
tation process, encouraging stakeholders to keep pace with the ever-evolving needs of The current challenge for IMO is to risk compromising safety.
“Have your say!”, allowing for responses in a modern industry, including making the decide on the best way forward and to In a similar vein, inspectors focus to a
both an organisational or personal capacity. best use of technological advances such as learn from the many comments, views and large extent on verifying conformity with
All responses were processed by the electronic solutions to fulfil administrative suggestions this innovative exercise has the correct procedures and establishing
SG-RAR, with the aim of developing rec- requirements and other enhanced systems generated for alleviating perceived admin- that the necessary checklists, reports and
ommendations for action for istrative burdens, or removing other paperwork have been produced to
the Council. them altogether, in the interests prove that the procedures were followed
The main objective of the of more effective and efficient correctly. An inspection thereby becomes
consultation was to identify regulation. “control of control”, with a tendency to
those administrative require- Administrative requirements evaluate the quality of the oversight sys-
ments in mandatory IMO that have been identified as par- tem rather than the quality of the ship and
instruments perceived as ticularly burdensome may nev- the crew.
“unnecessary, disproportion- ertheless be essential to ensure In this regard, it is not necessarily a spe-
ate or obsolete”. These require- full implementation and effec- cific administrative requirement which
ments may therefore hinder tive enforcement of IMO regula- generates the bureaucracy but rather the
effective regulatory compli- tions and should therefore con- indirect impact of having to report and
ance, making it more complex tinue to be legal obligations. document daily routines.
and difficult, with implications The 13 recommendations Nonetheless, the nature of the listed
for the efficiency of the daily presented to the Council pro- requirements and the stakeholder types
operations of shipping. vide concrete opportunities to involved provided a rather diffuse picture
Administrative require- guide further work by IMO, in that cautioned against drawing firm
ments are, amongst others, cooperation with its shipping conclusions.
obligations to keep records, Recommendations have been made to IMO on how to reduce the industry partners and other A careful analysis of each of the 182
display information on board administrative burden on seafarers maritime stakeholders, to administrative requirements (out of the
the ship, retain seafarer certifi- achieve improved solutions for total of 563) that were perceived as bur-
cates for inspection, and provide informa- to facilitate regulatory compliance. meeting those obligations. densome by at least one respondent, repre-
tion to authorities or to IMO. In November 2011, IMO’s governing senting some 34% of the total, revealed that
Having decided that the outcome of the Assembly adopted a resolution on the Main findings many responses did identify problems
consultation process should be made avail- Periodic Review of Administrative The experiences of ships’ crews, who are at with excessive paperwork associated with
able publicly, in the interest of full trans- Requirements in Mandatory IMO the frontline of shipping operations, every regulatory compliance.
parency, the Council approved, in general, Instruments (resolution A.1043(27)). This day of the year, are of particular interest to Comments included suggestions for
the final report, which is summarised led to the creation of an Inventory of any review of the effectiveness of maritime urgent change, for instance, by working
below. The material in this summary Administrative Requirements in regulations. It has been very encouraging with “intelligent” databases on websites
includes text drawn directly from the Mandatory IMO Instruments, which was that many seafarers took part in the public with secure access in order to rationalise the
Reducing Administrative Requirements submitted to the IMO Council in June 2012. consultation. fulfilment of administrative requirements.
Working Group report. It identified a staggering number of Some 60% of total responses came from This is indicative of a new, IT-savvy
administrative requirements – over 560 – ship masters, senior officers and ships’ generation seriously questioning the
Industry review and became a vital tool in the preparation crews. The analysis of their feedback, necessity of keeping multiple records cov-
The shipping industry dedicates signifi- of the consultation exercise and the subse- together with that of other respondents, ering the same event or subject matter, and
cant resources and incurs considerable quent analysis of responses. also sought to establish whether adminis- asking why inspectors seemingly spend
costs to achieve and maintain the global It is against this background that the trative requirements were perceived to be more time poring over a ship’s certificates
standards developed and adopted by IMO importance of the consultation process problematic (or not problematic) by an than physically looking over the ship.
for safety at sea, maritime security and being open to everyone with a legitimate individual respondent (e.g. a senior ship It was instead recommended that cer-
protection of the environment from pollu- interest must be understood. The structure officer), by a particular stakeholder group tificates could be posted on a website with
tion by ships. of the consultation process was tailored to (e.g. ships’ crews), or by a variety of stake- access provided to accredited authorities,
As the competent body recognised the various stakeholder groups so that holder groups (e.g. ships’ crews and ship- or, according to one stakeholder, “a
under international law, IMO has a every respondent could more easily choose ping companies). Facebook for ships”, with all certificates
responsibility in ensuring that any such which mandatory instruments – and which A major – and perhaps surprising – available for observation.
costs are moderate in order for the ship- specific administrative requirements there- finding has been that the majority of As one stakeholder put it, the tendency
ping industry to continue to serve interna- in – to comment upon. administrative requirements addressed in to “smother everything we do with paper”
tional maritime transportation and global The broad stakeholder categories were: the consultation process, 351 out of the is also a result of a blame orientated and
commerce efficiently. ship’s management (including ship mas- total of 563, or some 66%, were not per- litigious culture, encouraging everybody
However, this responsibility is a shared ters, crews and shipping companies); nom- ceived as being individually burdensome to increase the paperwork as a means to
one. Through their input into IMO’s con- inated surveyors and recognised organiza- by any of the respondents. This result was demonstrate that everything has been

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Digital Ship
done to prevent mistakes or mishaps and administrative requirements perceived as to be carried on board should be recognised Assembly should adopt a resolution reaf-
thus to avoid legal liability – by pointing burdensome – some 24% – could be as equivalent to original paper documents. firming the Organization’s commitment to
the blame elsewhere. reduced by using forms of electronic Recommendation 6: Avoid multiple efficient regulation and ensure that the reg-
While the processing and assessment of reporting or notification. reporting – Reporting to a single entity ulatory process systematically addresses
responses involved a significant effort in The figure was 14% with regard to the should be introduced to avoid the need to the problems of duplication, complexity,
statistical analysis, considerations of a shipboard carriage of certificates and simi- report the same information to multiple and lack of coherence and transparency.
qualitative nature were also important to lar documents, for which electronic ver- entities, in particular in cases of accidents. Recommendation 12: Monitor and
address the two key purposes of the con- sions should be acceptable. Similarly, some Recommendation 7: Accept other elec- review existing regulations – No piece of
sultation process. 13% of burdensome requirements could be tronic solutions – Particularly burdensome legislation should be written in stone. It is
These were, first, to consider whether met more efficiently by electronic record- administrative requirements should be important to keep an open mind on the
the administrative requirements in manda- ing of information. reviewed to ensure universal acceptance of continuous relevance, adequacy and effec-
tory IMO instruments are still necessary, electronic or software solutions. tiveness of existing regulations.
proportionate and relevant, and, second, to Recommendations Recommendation 8: Improve maritime Regulations that have become out-of-date,
consider measures that could potentially As a result of the findings of the consultation security awareness – More work needs to superfluous, inappropriate or ineffective
alleviate administrative burdens resulting process, 13 recommendations have been for- be done to explain the reasons that led should be removed, based on the changing
from compliance with the requirements mulated to assist in reducing the adminis- IMO to adopt the security provisions in needs of the shipping industry and techno-
(and thus release resources for trative burden of seafarers. They are: SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the International logical advances.
Administrations, industry stakeholders Recommendation 1: Use Electronic Ship and Port facility Security Code (ISPS Recommendation 13: Increase efforts to
and the IMO Secretariat) – but without means for reporting – IMO should ensure Code), as these are perceived as burden- avoid future administrative burdens –
compromising IMO’s overriding priorities that requirements to provide information some and disproportionate. Every effort should be made to identify
to protect safety of life at sea, maritime to and from IMO could be fulfilled by elec- Recommendation 9: Avoid accumulation possible burdens before approving pro-
security and the environment. tronic means. of administrative requirements – When posals for developing new regulations or
Significantly, it was noted that while the Recommendation 2: Establish IMO developing regulatory proposals, it is impor- amendments to existing regulations. It is
majority of the (182) administrative require- web-based information portal – A web- tant to pay attention to the burden that can recommended that the IMO Council
ments perceived as burdensome were still based, secure information portal to fulfil arise from the combined effect of two or amends procedures to ensure that the
necessary, proportionate and relevant, it is reporting requirements should be estab- more administrative requirements, which checklist for identifying administrative
often the accumulation of requirements that lished by IMO. may not be burdensome on their own. requirements and burdens is strictly
represents a burden and this is an important Recommendation 3: Recognise electron- Recommendation 10: Avoid burdens applied and also identifies possible elec-
issue IMO needs to address. ic certificates – Electronic certificates should from non-mandatory instruments – tronic solutions. DS
Many of the administrative require- be recognised as equivalent to original Fulfilling guidelines and other non-binding
ments gave rise to long debates in the paper certificates and similar documents. instruments often involves administrative
Steering Group, but it was able to adopt Recommendation 4: Accept electronic tasks that add to the burden associated with A full list of the administrative require-
recommendations to the Council by con- record-keeping – Electronic recording of mandatory administrative requirements. ments and the various categories of
sensus. These address a wide variety of information should be accepted as a full Such potentially adverse consequences impacted stakeholders can be found
pertinent matters. alternative to paper versions. must be taken into consideration when on the SG-RAR website, which also offers
For instance, as regards possible meas- Recommendation 5: Recognise electron- introducing non-binding instruments. other background information, at
ures to alleviate the administrative burden, ic documents (other than certificates) – Recommendation 11: Adopt IMO reso- www.imo.org/OurWork/rab
it was concluded that burdens related to Electronic versions of documents required lution on efficient regulation – The IMO

Digital Ship March 2015 page 27

p16-28:p1-14.qxd 13/02/2015 12:19 Page 13

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p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 1

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION Digital Ship

Inland simulation tool from BMT Kongsberg upgrades CCTV system
www.bmt.org Client Server mode, where multiple users
for US Navy vessel
and vessels can interact in a single opera- www.km.kongsberg.com
BMT has announced the launch of REM- tional scenario.
BRANDT-INLAND, a version of its mar- When simulating collision incidents, Kongsberg Maritime reports that it has
itime simulator tool developed specifically the software synchronises voice, radar and upgraded the CCTV system on board the
for training and collision reconstruction on position data sets in order to more accu- USNS Zeus, a US Navy ship that specialis-
inland waterways. rately reconstruct actual events. BMT es in laying submarine cable.
The new simulation software will allow introduced a similar service for maritime The new system replaces one originally
the user to load ports, rivers and canals, and simulation last year. installed by Kongsberg in 2002, and
utilises vessel models that include over 750 “I am delighted at the initial user feed- includes equipment designed to withstand
parameters, facilitating simulation of vessel back for this specialised version of the the rigours of the marine environment.
to vessel interaction, vessel to bank interac- REMBRANDT manoeuvring simulator,” The Norwegian provider says the system
tion, squat and shallow water effects. said Paul Morter, business line manager components comply with the highest mili-
Simulations can be replayed in video for REMBRANDT. tary level specifications for shock, vibra-
format, with track plots and data informa- “It will enable us to deliver high quality tion, EMI, temperature and humidity.
tion printed or saved electronically. REM- simulations and incident investigations to Above deck, 10 PTZ (pan, tilt & zoom)
BRANDT-INLAND can also be used in the inland waterway market.” IR Colour cameras with integrated IR LED
lighting will be in operation, featuring a
high resolution low light colour/mono Cameras will be installed above
sensor with 28 x optical zoom (12 x digital) and below deck
and an integrated wiper system.
These will be complimented by 29 high Kongsberg calls its ‘Full Picture’ solution.
speed PTZ dome cameras suitable for “We believe we have succeeded in
above/below deck operation, with a high delivering a high quality CCTV upgrade
resolution colour/mono sensor and 36 x solution fit for the harshest of environ-
optical zoom. Images are distributed via a ments,” said Philip Graham, project man-
large video router, and operation of all ager, Camera Division at Kongsberg
cameras is handled through telemetry key- Maritime Ltd.
boards with three axis joystick control. “This, however, was only achieved and
As well as the CCTV system, ‘Kongsberg obstacles overcome due to good communi-
Underwater Technology Inc’ (KUTI) also cation and the continuous excellent rela-
installed a dual High Precision Acoustic tionship with our client. We are delighted
Positioning system (HiPAP), an EM122 to be part of the collaborative Full Picture
Multibeam Echosounder and an EA600 delivery to this longstanding Kongsberg
Port simulations can be created in the system Single Beam Echosounder, as part of what Maritime customer.”

.NO
FOR OPTIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Digital Ship March 2015 page 29

p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 2

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION

New satellite imaging concept SAM Electronics bridge retrofit

for locating vessels for Scandlines
www.le.ac.uk NigeriaSat 2 and UK-DMC2 satellites by
DMC International Imaging, and in coop- www.sam-electronics.de for control of all main radar, ECDIS and
A team from the University of Leicester is eration with the New Zealand Defence conning operations, in addition to those
trialling a concept that uses satellite Technology Agency. L-3 SAM Electronics has been awarded a for automatic steering, track control and
imagery to more accurately locate vessels “If you are in the open ocean, and you contract to retrofit navigation facilities on route planning.
and aircraft at sea, with the hope of get into difficulty, particularly in a small four passenger and freight vessels operat- All ships will also be fitted with navi-
improving safety and aiding rescue opera- vessel, there is a significant chance that ed by Scandlines, a German-Danish ferry gation sensors, including AIS, DGPS,
tions, such as the search for missing you will be lost at sea,” says Dr Nigel company. Doppler logs, echosounders and
Malaysian flight MH370. Bannister from the University of The ships in question are the M/F wind/weather navigation aids.
A preliminary study published in the Leicester’s department of physics and Deutschland, M/F Prins Richard, M/F “We are extremely proud to have been
International Journal of Remote Sensing, astronomy. Prinsesse Benedikte and M/F Schleswig- selected to provide our advanced NACOS
identified 54 satellites with 85 sensors “There is currently a big problem Holstein. All four operate the short-dis- Platinum navigation system for one of
which currently only take images of land. It tracking small vessel maritime traffic and tance route between Puttgarden, Europe’s largest ferry organisations,” said
is proposed that these could be used to take this system could provide a much Germany, and Rødby, Denmark. Maik Stoevhase, managing director of L-3
images of the Earth’s oceans and inland improved awareness of vessel move- The vessels operate as double-ended SAM Electronics, ANC.
waters, reducing search areas for missing ments across the globe, using technology ferries, and will be retrofitted with L-3’s “The unique combination of integrated
ships to just a few hundred square miles. that already exists.” NACOS Platinum navigation systems on route planning, monitoring and track con-
The team is now testing the concept, As the concept is based on technology both the bow and stern bridges. This will trol will significantly reduce the workload
working on the automated detection of already in existence, it is hoped that it will consist of X- and S-band radars linked to for the navigators and improve naviga-
vessels using imagery provided from the be active as a maritime monitoring system two multifunction Multipilot workstations tional safety.”
within the next few years.
“This isn’t a surveillance
system that monitors vessel
movements across the oceans
in real time, like radar track-
ing of aircraft in the sky;
instead we have proposed a
system which records images
every time a satellite passes
over specific points of the
sea,” says Dr Bannister.
“If we are alerted to a lost
vessel, the images allow us to
pinpoint its last observed
position. This could be very
powerful for constraining
search areas and it could
reduce the time it takes to
locate missing boats and
The concept being trialled would use satellite imaging planes, and hopefully their
to automatically track ships crews and passengers.” The M/F Prins Richard is one of four ships being fitted. Photo: Scandlines

Aalesund University College upgrades simulators Paul Stanley has been appointed as Marine, where he spent almost 25 years
the new CEO of Global Navigation in a variety of roles, including marketing,
www.km.kongsberg.com pared with earlier systems. Solutions (GNS). Mr Stanley has held contracts and compliance. His most recent
“K-Sim Navigation represents a signif- senior positions with First Data position was service manager for the
Kongsberg Maritime has reported that icant upgrade to our simulator facility, Corporation and Retail Decisions. He Americas region.
Aalesund University College in Norway enabling us to expand our course offering replaces Mike Robinson, who stepped
has become one of its first simulator users and make the most of the latest training down as CEO in December 2014. Norwegian chart distributor Nautisk
to migrate to its new simulator technology technology,” says Norvald Kjerstad, pro- has reported the opening of a new office in
platform, K-Sim Navigation. fessor in nautical science, Aalesund WR Systems of Virginia, US, has Aberdeen, which will serve the UK and
Under a contract signed on January 6th, University College. announced Mark Mahoney as its new Northern Europe. “Aberdeen is at the cen-
2015, Kongsberg Maritime will deliver a "We will run courses on our new K-Sim director of Domestic Maritime Business. tre of the Oil and Gas sector, as well as
new K-Sim Navigation aft and forward Navigation simulators for students in nav- Mr Mahoney comes to WR from shipping and offshore,” says Peter J Pran,
bridge configura- igation and Northrop Grumman Sperry Nautisk head of global sales. “We have
tion to the DP as well as recognised that local market potential here
College, which is training is huge and because of our agility, we are
DNV Class B courses for able to adapt to individual customer needs
compliant and external com- and support them from this new office.”
includes an inte- panies. We
grated DP2 simu- will soon be German navigation system manufactur-
lator. Installation positioned to er Raytheon Anschütz has opened a
is scheduled for offer the most service centre in Panama City. A new sub-
May 2015. realistic sim- sidiary, Raytheon Anschuetz Panama, will
Another con- The College will use the latest generation ulator train- operate out of the centre. Its 20 employees
tract has also been of the simulator technology ing available will provide regional customer support
agreed for an and believe and service coordination for Panama,
upgrade of all hardware in the College’s that this will benefit our students and their Central and South America and the
existing Kongsberg Polaris ship’s bridge employers greatly." Caribbean.
simulators to the K-Sim Navigation In addition to upgrading its simulator
platform. facility, the College has also agreed a five
www.globalnavigationsolutions.com
Launched in September 2014, year ‘Long Term System Support
www.nautisk.com
Kongsberg says that K-Sim Navigation Programme’ (LTSSP) with Kongsberg
www.wrsystems.com
features an enhanced physical engine and Maritime, covering any new software or
Mark Mahoney, new at WR Systems www.raytheon-anschuetz.com
improved hydrodynamic modelling com- hardware developments.

Digital Ship March 2015 page 30

p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 3

Seeing the same picture is seeing the big picture

Non-profit e-chart provider PRIMAR is the starting point for safe navigation at sea. Through flexible
and innovative distribution platforms PRIMAR supplies the international maritime community
with official Electronic Navigational Charts.
In quiet surroundings, with a view to PRIMAR’s core aim is to make up-to-date
Western Norway's picturesque fjords, a official charts available to everyone
small group of experts have the world at through innovative solutions that best
FACTS:
their fingertips. The substantial task of serve the end-users. This is achieved not • Non-profit organisation operated by the Norwegian Hydrographic
PRIMAR is to cooperate with a multitude of only through close cooperation with Service in close cooperation with the Electronic Chart Centre
hydrographic offices to collect hydrograph- hydrographic offices, but through the (ECC)
ical data from around the world. The data innovative technological collaboration
• Operates the world’s first Regional ENC Coordinating Centre
is quality checked, before reliable, autho- with their global distributor network.
(RENC)
rised and official charts are distributed to
all players in the maritime field to ensure FREEDOM TO CHOOSE • Global provider of consistent and reliable electronic navigational
charts (ENC).
safe and hassle-free navigation at sea. For successful operations at sea it is vital
for all involved parties to see the same • All ENCs meet IMO’s SOLAS chart and carriage requirements.
reality. PRIMAR’s database of charts with • World-wide ENC database
worldwide coverage is available through
a number of user-friendly distributor
• Global distributor network
solutions to seafarers and all players in • Provides ENCs to navies, marine pilots, coast guard, search and
the maritime community on a variety of rescue, port control services, commercial shipping etc.
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FREEDOM TO CHOOSE

PRIMAR Update Web Chart ONE-STOP-SHOP

Tracker(PUT) Service PRIMAR is a one-stop-shop for operating
safely at sea. The security of using autho-
The PRIMAR Update Tracker, launched in Say you are a desk worker responsible for rised official charts together with type-
January 2015, is a web based ENC update the activities of a ship thousands of miles approved navigation systems helps pre-
overview which enables you to view and away. By accessing PRIMAR’s Web Chart vent accidents and protects the maritime
track changes made since the last ENC Service, the ENC images you view on your environment. Its benefits are undis-
update. computer screen are identical to the data putable across all sectors of the maritime
the captain sees on the ship’s navigation industry from fisheries to oil and seismic
PUT increases the user’s ENC update instruments. When the service is integrat- operations, leisure cruising, commercial
familiarization, allowing him to step ed with other technical features installed shipping and search and rescue missions.
through the updates and changes in his on most vessels nowadays, such as the PRIMAR’s innovative and flexible solu-
active chart folio. Such a visualization of Automatic Identification System (AIS), you tions, tailored in close collaboration with
the ENC update will contribute to improve can monitor the vessel’s progress and their global network of distributors, give
the user´s situational awareness either weather conditions in that exact area. all players in the maritime field the free-
for navigation or planning purpose. The Working with up-to-date authorised charts dom to choose the ENC platforms best
user may also find it useful if he wishes to during an operation, whether at the suited for their needs.
become more familiar with the waters he planning stage in an office or on-board
frequently operates in. the vessel, is the lifeline to safety and
Functionalities success.
By using the PUT the user can see the
changes in the ENC content from an
earlier state.
- Easy access
- Web based
- Allows the timeline selection and
comparison of the ENC content.
- ENC update information displayed in
both text and graphic format on the
chart.

VIEW CHANGES IN BOTH

TEXT AND SYMBOL
FORMAT ON THE CHART.

Who can use the PRIMAR Update

Tracker?
PUT is available to distributors and users
with a valid PRIMAR ENC subscription.
PRIMAR distributors will also be able to
implement PUT in their B2B interface.
How much does it cost?
The user needs only to be identified with
a valid ENC subscription registered with
www.primar.org PRIMAR. There is no extra cost for PUT.
How do I access it? PRIMAR contributes to the Maritime Safety Circle as all actors in need of chart data have
Via the PRIMAR Portal. access to the same charting information
Contact PRIMAR for more information.
p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 4

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION

H-Note App from UKHO Satellite monitoring system to track

www.ukho.gov.uk ed charts and publications.
illegal fishing
“The ADMIRALTY H-Note App is a
Mariners will now be able to send hydro- more efficient way for mariners to contin- www.pewtrusts.org tem’s capability and scope as more coun-
graphic information directly to the United ue sharing any information with us that tries, regional fisheries management
Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) could be navigationally significant,” said The Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) organisations, and seafood retail groups
via mobile devices, after the organisation Hugh Phillips, head of product manage- and The Pew Charitable Trusts in the UK commit to using it to ensure that only
introduced its new ADMIRALTY H-Note ment at the UKHO. have launched near real-time technology legally caught seafood is taken from the
App. “Every mariner and every ship, that they say will help authorities monitor, ocean and reaches consumers’ plates.
The Hydrographic Note, or H-Note, has whether sailing internationally or in local detect and respond to illegal fishing activ- “Project Eyes on the Seas is designed to
long been an important source of new waters, has a part to play by serving as our ity across the world’s oceans. transform the current very expensive and
hydrographic and navigational data for the eyes across the oceans.” The live satellite monitoring system, patchy system of information gathering
UKHO, with seafarers submitting informa- The H-Note App can be downloaded Project Eyes on the Seas, has been devel- and enforcement into a global system for
tion using a hardcopy H-Note Form or a for free and is available for both iOS and oped by SAC for Pew and will initially be identifying and tracking illegal fishing ves-
computer. The H-Note App now extends Android. launched in the waters of Chile, Palau, and sels that is far more cost effective,” said
that ability to mobile devices, and includes In related news, UKHO also reports the UK Overseas Territories. It is the latest Joshua Reichert, executive vice president
additional elements of functionality. that its digital publications have been stage in a long-term effort by Pew to reduce of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Users will be able to submit their approved for use in place of paper equiva- illegal or ‘pirate’ fishing around the world, “This system will enable authorities to
co-ordinates automatically using the lents by the USA, Lithuania and Belgium. which is valued at $23.5 billion annually. share information on those vessels operat-
device’s GPS, as well as photographs Its electronic-Nautical Publications (e- Using multiple sources of live satellite ing outside of the law, build a comprehen-
taken on the device. The data is then sent NPs) and ADMIRALTY Digital tracking data, the system analyses the sive case against them, track them into
to the UKHO via e-mail, which can either Publications (ADP) can now be used on information and links it to databases port or within reach of enforcement ves-
take immediate action or decide whether board ships sailing under the flags of those on a ship’s ownership, history and coun- sels, and take action against them.”
to include the new information in updat- states, while still remaining compliant try of registration, to alert
with the IMO’s SOLAS carriage require- officials to suspicious vessel
ments. movements.
As a result of these latest approvals, the Project Eyes on the Seas
UKHO claims that over 79 per cent of the will launch initially with a
global fleet is now authorised to use digital ‘Virtual Watch Room’ moni-
maritime publications rather than hard- toring the waters surround-
copies. The publications cover topics such ing Easter Island, a Chilean
as sailing directions, light and fog signals, special territory, and the
radio signals, and tidal movements. Pacific island nation of Palau.
“We are delighted that the USA, Over the next three years,
Lithuania and Belgium have joined most the plan is to grow the sys- The project has opened a Virtual War Room
of the world’s leading Flag States in
approving the use of ADP and e-NPs to
meet SOLAS carriage requirements,” said
Christine Trickett, senior product manag-
Colombian Maritime School adds bridge simulator
er, publications, at the UKHO. www.vstepsimulation.com DNV Standards for Certification and IMO
“All US, Lithuanian and Belgian model courses 1.22 and 1.32. It will be
flagged ships can now benefit from the The Avante Escuela de la Marina Mercante installed by VSTEP at the Avante head-
speed, accuracy and ease-of-use of ADP in Colombia is adding a Full Mission quarters in Bogota, with Avante instructors
and e-NP. What is more, over three-quar- Bridge simulator to complement its exist- receiving training from VSTEP engineers.
ters of the global fleet can now draw upon ing VSTEP desktop trainer classroom, The Avante Maritime School runs 45
the benefits of the digitalised versions of which was installed last year. academic programmes approved by the
important publications, helping to sup- The VSTEP NAUTIS Full Mission Bridge General Maritime Authority DIMAR,
port safe and efficient navigation around simulator has a 240 degree horizontal field training shipping and port companies
The app is available for iOS and Android the world.” of view and is compliant with the Class A along the Caribbean and Pacific Coast.

€5 million in SAR contracts for McMurdo

www.mcmurdogroup.com McMurdo provides satellite ground sta-
tions to facilitate SAR, as well as hardware
Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSi), a subsidiary of and software used in Mission Control
search and rescue (SAR) systems provider Centres and Rescue Coordination Centres.
McMurdo Group, reports that it has By the time MEOSAR is fully online in
secured contracts totaling almost €5 mil- 2018, McMurdo says global satellite cover-
lion with the governments of Cyprus, age will take just five minutes, rather than
Brunei and Argentina, as well as with the current time of 45 minutes.
NASA in the United States. “McMurdo Group has established itself
The agreements involve the deploy- as the leader in MEOSAR next-generation
ment of a six-channel MEOSAR (Medium search and rescue systems with key mile-
Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) system in stone wins in critical search and rescue
Argentina, a 2-channel MEOSAR exten- regions of the world,” said Jean-Yves
sion in the US, and Rescue Coordination Courtois, CEO of Orolia and McMurdo
Center (RCC) software for SAR authorities Group.
in Brunei and Cyprus. Contracts are set to “We are excited to work with the gov-
last between one and five years. ernmental bodies and rescue authorities of
Currently, search and rescue relies on these countries to provide advanced SAR
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and geo- solutions that will expedite the rescue
stationary satellites, but SAR receivers are process and save more lives.”
now being placed on MEO satellites – in the In September last year, McMurdo also
Galileo (EU), GPS (US) and GLONASS won a €13 million MEOSAR contract with
(Russia) constellations – with the aim of SAR authorities in Australia and New
providing quicker and more accurate alerts. Zealand. The MEOSAR system should decrease the time required to connect to a satellite

Digital Ship March 2015 page 32

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We’ve found a new direction

for the future of digital publications
p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 6

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION

Unmanned vessel completes first

self-guided voyage
www.leidos.com installed on a 42-foot work boat that served
as a surrogate vessel to test sensor,
Science and technology company Leidos manoeuvring, and mission functions of a
has announced that its prototype maritime prototype ACTUV vessel. ACTUV aims to
autonomy system has completed its first develop an independently deployed,
self-guided voyage. unmanned naval vessel that would operate
The prototype, developed as part of the under sparse remote supervisory control
US Defense Advanced Research Projects and safely follow the COLREGS.
Agency (DARPA) Anti-Submarine Using a navigational chart of the area
Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned loaded into its memory and inputs from its
Vessel (ACTUV) programme, made the commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) radars,
journey between Gulfport and Pascagoula, Leidos says that the surrogate vessel suc-
Mississippi, controlled only by the autono- cessfully sailed the 35 nautical miles with-
my system. in the inshore environment of the Gulf
The project had previously reported 42 Intracoastal Waterway.
successful days of at-sea demonstration During its voyage the maritime autonomy The autonomous vessel technology can detect and avoid other ships. Photo: Leidos
with the technology, as well as approxi- system avoided all obstacles, buoys, land,
mately 26,000 simulation runs, but this is shoal water, and other vessels in the area – to use the surrogate vessel to test ACTUV Clackamas, Oregon.
the first time that a fully self-guided voy- all without any pre-planned waypoints or software and sensors, the company is also Sea Hunter is scheduled to launch in
age has been completed. human intervention, the company says. continuing construction of Sea Hunter, the late autumn 2015 and begin testing in the
The maritime autonomy system was While Leidos notes that it will continue first ACTUV prototype vessel, in Columbia River shortly thereafter.

Virtual AIS Beacons for New Zealand’s Transas simulators for BSMA
Bay of Plenty and Istanbul University
www.vespermarine.com tragedy, both for the environment and for www.transas.com four-workplace multifunction simulator
the people that live close by,” said Jeff class has been supplied.
Vesper Marine reports that it has won a Robbins, CEO, Vesper Marine. Transas Marine reports that it has devel- The complex includes a 270 degree
contract to provide Virtual Automatic “We know that nothing can undo the oped and installed a Full Mission Offshore visualisation bridge, which Transas says
Identification System (AIS) Beacons to damage already caused, but our Virtual simulator at the Batumi State Maritime was challenging to install due to space
mark several dangerous reefs in the Bay of Aids to Navigation may be able to prevent Academy (BSMA) in Georgia, as well as constraints. According to the provider, the
Plenty, part of New Zealand’s North Island. it from happening again. Regardless of the installing a new simula-
The Auckland-based provider says the weather conditions, our beacons will be tor complex at the
deployment is a response to a 2011 incident seen by most ships well before they get Istanbul University.
in the Bay, when the container ship Rena close to these reefs. It’s a small part to play, The simulator sup-
struck a reef. The ship was carrying 1,368 but we are proud to help safeguard the plied to BSMA is based
containers, as well as 1,700 tons of heavy marine and coastal environment of the Bay on Transas NTPRO 5000
fuel oil and 200 tons of marine diesel oil. of Plenty.” software, and features
Much of the cargo and fuel was spilled into “This will be a substantial step forward 270-degree visualisation
the sea, resulting in the worst environmen- in maritime navigational safety in the Bay and touch screen tech-
tal disaster in New Zealand’s history. of Plenty,” said Peter Buell, Bay of Plenty nology. It will be used to
The Virtual AIS Beacons will be used to Regional Council harbour master. train offshore crews in
create Virtual Aids to Navigation “We can expand the system as needed dynamic positioning
(VAtoN), and will alert both ships’ crews without interruption of service, and more operations, with course
and the local government’s Regional and more ships are using AIS to supple- accreditation coming
Council that a vessel is heading towards a ment their radar, sonar, electronic charting from the UK’s Nautical
charted danger, or entering the no-go zone and collision avoidance systems. I feel the Institute.
around each hazard. timing is right for us to make this vital As part of the project,
“The Rena disaster was a terrible change.” Transas has developed
simulator areas for the
Georgian ports of BSMA in Georgia has taken delivery of a new simulator
Batumi, Poti and Kulevi.
Ice navigation opera-
tions functionality will also be added in Istanbul University plans to move to new
the future, according to Transas. facilities in the future, so Transas provided
The simulator adds to an already exist- a configurable solution to allow for easy
ing simulation complex at the Academy, dismantling and reassembly of the simula-
which Transas claims is now one of the tor complex.
most advanced in the Black Sea region. Training undertaken on the new instal-
At Istanbul University meanwhile, a lation will include shiphandling, radio-
complex consisting of a full mission navi- communication and liquid cargo handling
gational simulator NTPRO 5000 and a operations.
The deployment is a response to the Rena incident in 2011

Alphatron Marine steps in as Astron restructures

www.alphatronmarine.com ture its organisation. of Japan Radio Company (JRC) products Dooren, CEO Astron NV.
Alphatron Marine Belgium BVBA in Belgium. “Belgian shipowners as well as visiting
Dutch supplier Alphatron Marine is will take over the distribution and sup- “In order to safeguard the continuation ships can be assured that Alphatron
stepping in to continue the sales and port of navigation and communication of the Belgian market, a number of Marine Belgium will maintain the excellent
service activities of Belgian company equipment previously undertaken by employees of Astron will be employed by customer focused one-stop-shop for serv-
Astron NV, as the latter looks to restruc- Astron, including the official distribution Alphatron Marine Belgium,” said Jan Van ice and retrofit.”

Digital Ship March 2015 page 34

p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 7

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p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 8

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p29-40:p15-25.qxd 13/02/2015 12:32 Page 9

Digital Ship

eLoran looks to prove its worth

eLoran, an alternative to GNSS systems for maritime positioning, has been installed in the UK, where its use could determine
whether the technology eventually becomes a mandatory carriage requirement as a back-up for systems like GPS. Digital Ship
spoke to Martin Bransby of the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the UK and Ireland about the rise of eLoran

T
he UK’s eLoran (Enhanced Long power from the transmitter, so you can see
Range Navigation) system went live it’s very different. It operates in exactly the
in 2014, reaching initial operational same way as GNSS does, in so much as it
capability on the east coast of Britain and uses ranging for getting a signal, but at
the busy waters of the English Channel and very different specifications.”
the North Sea. Developed by the General GPS, ubiquitous across everything from
Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the UK SatNavs to smartphones, claims standard
and Ireland, eLoran is seen as a comple- accuracy of around 15 metres, but can be
mentary backup to GPS, which is suscepti- augmented to achieve accuracy of about
ble to interference from various sources, three to five metres. Using differential sta-
including space weather and GPS jammers. tions, eLoran can boast accuracy of under
The eLoran system uses technology ten metres according to Mr Bransby,
based on longwave radio signals which are enough to comply with IMO regulations
1 million times more powerful than GPS. for port and harbour entrance.
Seven land-based monitoring stations, from “We’re providing it for maritime use in
Dover to Aberdeen, will serve the east coast. ports and harbours, and we can get sub-
The UK is the first in the world to ten-metre accuracy from it, which is using
Galatea, one of the GLAs ships, has been fitted with an eLoran receiver as part of
deploy this technology for shipping com- differential reference stations. If we don’t ongoing trials of the system off the UK coast. Photo: GLAs
panies operating both passenger and cargo use differential reference stations, we can
services, with rollout first approved by the get about sub 20 metres,” he told us. been some sort of device on board in one of its use was largely restricted to convoys in
UK Department of Transport in 2013. “But we apply these in situations where the trucks that was causing it.” the Atlantic, and ships and aircraft in the
If the initial operational capability is we would need sub 10 metres. So for A ship losing the ability to navigate Pacific theatre.
deemed a success, full operational capabil- instance, the IMO say that you need to have when entering a port has the potential to Improvements in accuracy and range
ity covering all major ports in the UK and sub 10 metres for the harbour entrance and be disastrous, and with mariners increas- continued throughout the fifties and six-
Ireland could be reached by 2019. It’s a port approach phase of navigation, whereas ingly relying on electronic aids, backup ties, but advances in other systems meant
project that’s been a long time in the mak- for coastal navigation that’s not as stringent, systems are likely to become more preva- Loran was gradually phased out in North
ing, according to Martin Bransby, research which is why we say we won’t provide dif- lent. Ideally, this backup system should America by 1980.
and radionavigation manager at the GLAs. ferential services for coastal navigation. So begin operation seamlessly when required, Today, the US relies heavily on GPS, but
“We’ve been developing eLoran now the 20 metres accuracy is good enough for and this is precisely what the GLAs have the threat of disruption from solar weather
since 2007 - that’s when we first moved our coastal navigation.” been working on. and cyber-attack makes that system look
transmitter from the midlands up to “We’ve been developing a receiver increasingly vulnerable. In its search for a
Anthorn,” he told us. Resilience which automatically cuts over to eLoran in backup, the US has pulled together ‘Tiger
“We were doing some work before that, One area where eLoran does claim to have the event of the receiver seeing some of Team’, a panel of experts whose purpose is
and we’re pursuing it because the technolo- a significant advantage over GNSS is in the these effects on GPS, or any GNSS, but to “Re-explore eLoran as a back-up GPS
gy is mature, it’s here and it’s now, and robustness of the signal. we’ve been specifically using GPS to do technology.”
there’s nothing to provide the resiliency we The relatively weak signal used across our trials. We’ve conducted trials where “The United States has just instigated a
need to GNSS vulnerability that’s around at GNSS systems is susceptible to jamming, we’ve operated a GPS jammer, and our team of people to once again look at eLoran
the moment that’s as mature as eLoran.” whether accidental or malicious. receivers then automatically cut over to as a backup to GPS, and that’s happening at
Global Navigation Satellite Systems According to the GLAs, jammers are avail- using eLoran,” Mr Bransby explained. the minute,” explained Mr Bransby.
(GNSS) include the Unites States’ GPS, as able online for as little as £30, but estimat- “In circumstances like I’ve just “We’ve been engaged with some of the
well as Russia’s GLONASS, China’s BeiDou, ing how extensive the disruption is can be described coming into Dublin Port where people who are doing that, and I think
and the European Union’s Galileo system, problematic. there were some issues, the navigator their report is going to be expected within
expected to be fully operational by 2020. “We’ve seen effects in various different wouldn’t even see those, because the the next couple of months or so. So the US
They use time signals transmitted along places over a number of years, but it’s dif- receiver would automatically see it and is once again looking at eLoran as a back-
a line of sight by radio from satellites to ficult to try and grasp the size of the prob- then cut over to using eLoran. Then when up to GPS.”
electronic receivers, allowing for determi- lem,” said Mr Bransby. the GPS signal came back again, it would A factor the US will have to carefully con-
nation of position around the globe to “It might be that sometimes a ship’s then cut over to using the GPS signal.” sider is the cost of implementing eLoran,
within a few metres. captain, for instance, would notice that “Effectively you’ve got a receiver, which given the length of coastline over which dif-
Use of GNSS has become widespread in something was wrong with his equipment, is a GPS feed and a Loran feed, and it makes ferential stations would need to be deployed.
shipping and other forms of navigation, and sometime later it might be ok again, a decision based on the quality of the GPS Once the stations are in place however, and
but the system is not without its weakness- and he may never even report it and just signal as to which to output, whether it’s the initial capital outlay is complete, opera-
es, and eLoran has the potential to serve as think it was a glitch.” GPS or eLoran. In our trials we saw it out- tion and maintenance costs are lower than
a backup when satellite location services Mr Bransby relays a story from a num- put eLoran, and the ECDIS or the other sys- other systems, and the benefits extend
are not available. ber of years ago in San Diego, where jam- tems on board don’t even know that they’re beyond simply maritime navigation.
“All GNSS systems operate at very sim- ming equipment used by a US navy vessel using eLoran. There’s a little light in the cor- “Obviously there are infrastructure
ilar frequencies,” explained Mr Bransby. inadvertently disrupted systems all over ner of the screen that tells you you’re using costs. It’s the differential stations that you
“They’ve all got similar output powers the downtown San Diego harbour area, eLoran instead of GPS, but that’s just to would need for maritime in harbours that
from the satellites, which is below the knocking out telecommunications and the inform the mariner that he’s using a differ- would be the cost, but we’re only talking
noise floor when it gets to the earth’s sur- cellular phone grid. While incidents on ent system. The systems on board the ship £30,000-£50,000 each, so they’re not mas-
face, so they’re vulnerable to the same that scale may be rare, issues affecting aren’t really bothered. They’re getting, sive amounts,” said Mr Bransby.
things: noise, whether that’s from space individual ships are more frequent, and effectively, the same data out of the receiver “The way I always say it is, really, you’re
weather or if it’s from intentional or unin- have potentially dangerous consequences. to be able to navigate with.” buying an insurance policy for when ships
tentional jamming.” “More recently, we’ve seen some effects lose GPS, or any other systems lose GPS,
“Loran doesn’t operate in that way. It’s on a ship coming into the port of Dublin Reliance because it’s not just maritime. I know we’re
a completely different frequency. GNSS where the GPS log from the system report- The original Loran system was developed specifically talking about maritime, but
operate at around 1.5 GHz and typically ed that it couldn’t get a fix. Now, we don’t in the US during World War II, and prima- eLoran can be used anywhere in critical
the satellite has got a 50 watt output know what that was, but it was clearly a rily used by the military and large com- infrastructure that we now use GPS.”
power, which is in the microwatts when it problem somewhere,” said Mr Bransby. mercial operators due to the high cost. Its The extent to which we rely on GPS and
gets to the earth’s surface. Loran operates “It was a vehicle carrier, carrying trucks range was up to 1,500 miles, but accuracy other GNSS isn’t simply limited to posi-
at 100 KHz and about 250 kilowatts output and vans, so we think there may well have was only within tens of miles, which meant tioning and navigation.

Digital Ship March 2015 page 37

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ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION

The timing signal delivered by GNSS is France Telecom and Orange France, those into IMO. The contact for the UK is the receivers in this early stage to some early
used by telecom companies to coordinate kinds of people.” MCA, who are the official people who go adopters of the technology who under-
how mobile phones connect with towers. The UK’s adoption of eLoran was in part along to the IMO and provide the input. stand the vulnerabilities of GPS - and I
Energy companies use GPS for synchro- brought about by the high volume of traffic But we do consult with the MCA, we do think that’s a problem in itself, explaining
nising electricity grids when connecting that passes through the Dover Strait and the provide an input in a roundabout way. So to people so that they understand the vul-
them together, and banks and stock mar- North Sea shipping lanes. Elsewhere, South we’ve tried to influence there, and the IMO nerabilities of GPS – but some of the early
kets use the satellites for time-stamps that Korea is also looking into developing the of course have recognised that there is a adopters have seen that, and they’re really
prevent fraud. system, but it is not just heavy coastal traffic requirement for resilient PNT, that there is keen to have receivers on their ships,” said
The timing signal from GPS is clearly that is prompting the move. a requirement for a ground-based terrestri- Mr Bransby.
vital for the maintenance of our infrastruc- “A good case in point is South Korea, as al backup, without actually naming eLoran “Regarding mandatory carriage, that’s
ture and economy, but it has the same vul- they’ve got a particular problem with their specifically.” something that we would work towards,
nerabilities to jamming outlined above. neighbours to the north, who, allegedly, “And of course, we believe it’s the only because it would be part of e-Navigation,
eLoran can act not only as a navigational jam GPS regularly, and GSM as well, so one ready to go now, that we could actually depending on where and how e-
backup to GPS, but also provide a more telephone networks they’re jamming at the provide eLoran services anywhere now, it’s Navigation goes, whether there’s the
robust timing signal, says Mr Bransby. same time. So (South) Korea are rolling out the political will that’s sometimes lacking.” uptake.”
“It’s a very accurate timing signal. It’s eLoran as well as a backup to GPS or other This brings up the point about rival PNT “IMO said we’re going to develop it and
an atomic clock effectively, better than the GNSS,” said Mr Bransby. services. eLoran is up and running right deliver e-Navigation by 2019, so clearly
Stratum 1 standard that’s used for telecom- “We’ve actually got an MOU, a now, but we asked what other technologies that’s not very far away, and we’re going
munications. It’s as good as, if not better Memorandum of Understanding, to were being developed that might rival the to need technology that’s here and now, so
than, GPS,” he told us. engage with them so they can call upon system that the GLAs has put in place. whether it’s mandated or not, we’re still
“Telecoms use it for timing of cells, for our expertise, and they’ve done that a few “None that could be rolled out now. going to need resiliency. I would suggest
instance on mobile telephone networks. times over the last six months or so actual- Over the last few years we’ve been devel- that it would probably be better to man-
It’s used for timing of financial transac- ly. I set up the MOU, but there are people oping different sorts of ground-based or date it, but that’s a long and lengthy
tions in the City. A lot of financial transac- who are more technically adept than me. terrestrial-based backups, but they’re process. “
tions are timed using GPS, so the backup We’ve got a small team of people that run probably not going to be around for about Whether or not eLoran becomes a can-
could be eLoran, or in fact you could use it the technical side of things, and they’ve 10 years or so. Once you get past the tech- didate for mandatory carriage will depend
as a primary source of timing. Because it been helping develop their invitation to nical development, it’s the regulatory stuff to some degree on the success of the cur-
works at 100 KHz, you could actually tender for the roll out of the eLoran service as well that you need to worry about,” said rent deployment. The system now in place
receive the timing signal within buildings, within Korea.” Mr Bransby. in the UK, stretching from Aberdeen to
whereas the GPS signal doesn’t penetrate “They’ve selected a partner, but I don’t “We’ve been looking at things like Dover, will be assessed on performance
buildings.” think I can say who they are at the minute, Ranging Mode from the IALA Beacon and take-up over the next couple of years.
“It’s not operational yet, but there are as I’m not sure if they’ve released it. That DGPS system for instance. We’ve been In 2017 the UK Department of
some colleagues of ours who work in the Transport will decide if eLoran is perform-
timing industry, partners we’ve been ing as intended, and if adoption of the
working with, who are looking at that. technology has been sufficient. If these cri-
They’ve been looking at it for timing of teria are met, the Department is likely to
communications. The police TETRA net- approve rollout for the remainder of the
work is timed using GPS for instance as UK and Ireland.
well, so it wouldn’t take much to bring that “We’ve got coverage now up the east
down. So eLoran could be used for that. coast of the UK and the Dover Strait, which
There are all sorts of different applications is important. We saw these first seven ref-
for timing. Where you would use GPS for erence stations as important places to get
timing now, you can use eLoran.” the coverage, especially at Dover,” said
The fact that that the signal is so durable Mr Bransby.
makes it attractive for infrastructure and “It’s obviously one of the busiest, if not
military applications, where disruption the busiest, shipping lanes in the world, and
could have an impact on the delivery of the potential for disaster there is quite high,
vital services. While GPS undoubtedly has if GPS was jammed for instance. So we’re
some advantages over eLoran, it also has now assessing the coverage and developing
some restrictions that eLoran can over- the system as far as the east coast is con-
come. cerned, getting people to use the equipment
“I know the United States is looking at Jamming of GNSS can wreak havoc on ships' systems. Photo: GLAs on board the ships, getting the feedback
(eLoran), on test purposes, for electricity from the users as to what they think and
distribution and smart grids, because you how we can develop this further.”
can get it cheaply within buildings. You (roll out of eLoran) is probably going to looking at absolute RADAR positioning, “That’s the short to early medium-term
can also penetrate some distance beneath take place within the next year to 18 we’ve been looking at the hardening of view. We’ve got to demonstrate by 2017 to
water too if you need to, for whatever months, and we’ll continue to work with GNSS (against jamming) and what that the Department of Transport that people
application that would be. Not deep them on a consultation basis.” looks like.” are using it, that there’s consensus, certain-
underwater, but to within about 30 metres “We’ve looked at all these, they’re not ly within Europe that it’s a good idea and
below the surface, and you can obviously e-Navigation going to be around for some time, and that people are willing to develop it fur-
see advantages of that for maybe military How eLoran integrates with the wider actually we developed a business case back ther. Once that’s done, there’s a decision
applications as well,” said Mr Bransby. sphere of e-Navigation is something else in 2010 that said if we provided eLoran it that will be made by the Department of
“Commercial exploitation would really the GLAs are working on. This involves would actually save money rather than Transport in that timeframe, so 2017, to see
be through telecommunications, mobile monitoring the direction the IMO are mov- cost money. We’d be able to shut some of if we go further, and if that decision is pos-
communications. Mobile telephone com- ing in, and working in collaboration with our physical infrastructure i.e. lighthouses, itive then we will roll out eLoran service to
panies pay fortunes, as we know, from the the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency because we’ve resiliency in electronic posi- the rest of the British Isles, so the rest of the
whole 3G and 4G sale of bandwidth and (MCA). tioning rather than the mariner having to UK and Ireland.”
that kind of thing. Now if they could guar- “E-Navigation is really the big picture, rely on physical aids, i.e. lights, as a back- If the technology is also adopted by the
antee coverage because they had robust which will provide services for shipping up to GPS, which is what he does now US and South Korea it will have a foothold
timing, at the edges of networks, or even in that will integrate electronic services on effectively.” in three leading maritime nations, and
small cells within cities, within buildings, board and ashore. One of those services As the IMO has already recognised that three regions of heavy shipping traffic.
then I’m sure that they would be willing to that we need to provide to ensure e- backup PNT is essential, it raises the possi- This could give eLoran momentum and
pay for that.” Navigation is resilient PNT (Positioning, bility of eLoran becoming mandatory at encourage others to build infrastructure
“That’s something that we’re now tak- Navigation and Timing). So I see eLoran as some stage in the future. With e- and develop the system, perhaps one day
ing forward, to look at the commercial really a subset of the e-Navigation project. Navigation expected to be implemented leading to mandatory carriage under
opportunities – not us, but some of our It’s there to provide the resiliency that we globally by 2019, mandatory carriage of IMO law.
commercial partners – are looking at tak- need for not just positioning services, but eLoran is something the GLAs plan to For now though, all eyes will be on the
ing that forward to see where it would go all the other services that e-Navigation will work towards, but it is a long and arduous Dover Strait and the North Sea, as eLoran
and what the business models might be, deliver,” said Mr Bransby. process that is likely to take many years. gets put through its paces in the world’s
and actively engaged with the likes of BT, “As the GLAs we have no direct input “We’ve been fitting some of our busiest shipping lane. DS

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