Products & services

TDoS sets up group parent and acquires Italian design company

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 26 April 2022 26 April 2022

The design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) has new parent company called Viken Group and announced the acquisition of Thalia Marine in Italy.

Viken Group will  provide a full range of comprehensive design, naval architecture and project management services to the cruise line and yachting industries, via the portfolio of its brands and partners. 

“The newly formed group will comprise multiple brands, where TDoS will remain as today, and preferred partnerships providing complementary and comprehensive services and expertise for each facet of the business,” TDoS said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Viken Group’s acquisition of Italian design and naval architecture firm Thalia Marine establishes expertise in multiple areas of technical project management, surveys and consultancy. Based in Trieste, Italy, Thalia Marine counts among its clients Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea, Swan Hellenic, Virgin Voyages, Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI, member of CSSC, China State Shipbuilding Co.) and Fincantieri, and is well versed in the construction and refurbishment of both yachts and cruise ships.

“We are delighted to welcome Thalia Marine and its employees to Viken Group,” says Viken Group’s and former TDoS CEO Stefan Nilsson. “Together, we will be able to provide our clients the best, most comprehensive services including naval architecture, design, quantity surveying, technical consultancy, on-site inspections and much more.”

Both TDoS and Thalia Marine will continue operating independently of one another, but will jointly collaborate under the Viken Group umbrella on relevant projects. Having cooperated on multiple projects in the past, the two firms see mutual synergies with Thalia providing comprehensive technical management services, specialist design consultancy, surveys and on-site inspections and TDoS providing design and space planning as well as financial management and administration support.

"My connection with Tillberg Design of Sweden dates back to 1994, when, as a junior naval architect, I worked with them on the design of Costa Victoria,” said Thalia Marine Partner and CEO Maurizio Eliseo. “Since then, we have cooperated on many challenging projects and achieved excellent results. Thalia is a small family, but one of highly specialised architects, engineers and surveyors. Thanks to this strong partnership with our dear friends at TDoS and Viken Group, we now look forward to an even brighter future that will not only benefit us, but our esteemed clients as well.”

Wärtsilä to supply Decarbonisation Modelling Service to Carnival group

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 22 April 2022 22 April 2022

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä is to deliver its new Decarbonisation Modelling Service to Carnival Corporation & plc as the cruise group aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its fleet. Initially tasked with establishing an optimal decarbonisation path for the cruise ship Regal Princess, the project will expand to model solutions which could be applied to the entire Carnival fleet. The contract was signed in December 2021 and the project commenced in February 2022.

Under the fleet decarbonisation programme, a digital model of Regal Princess will be created by combining operational data from several different sources. Modelling capabilities and machine-learning algorithms developed by Wärtsilä will deliver a detailed analysis of vessel operational data.

The model will be used to simulate the impact of several technologies. A specific focus will be given to E-start, Wärtsilä’s patented electric smokeless start solution, as well as the Wärtsilä HY hybrid power concept with energy storage. The simulations will identify the most beneficial retrofittable solution while minimising the required installation.

“At Carnival Corporation we are totally committed to decarbonising our operations,” says Chris Millman, Vice President, Corporate Marine Technology, Carnival Corporation & plc. “A systematic, data-driven approach is essential. By working closely with Wärtsilä, a company with a depth of experience and expertise, we can establish a model that will allow us to get it right first time.”

“We are delighted to work with Carnival Corporation on this important project. The complexity of current and forthcoming environmental regulations requires a methodical, systematic approach. The Decarbonisation Modelling Service is the most effective means for assessing and assuring the performance of investments aimed at meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets,” says Giulio Tirelli, Director, Business Development, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

There are multiple ways for ship owners and operators to comply with the International Maritime Organization’s upcoming Energy Efficiency for Existing Ships Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). This freedom increases the complexity of making the right choices. Wärtsilä’s Decarbonisation Modelling Service tackles this challenge by combining data-driven assessments with expert insight – enabling operators to maximise environmental impact with cost-effective investments.

Decarbonisation modelling is part of a suite of services to help ship owners plan their pathway to reducing emissions and complying with incoming regulations. It utilises several advanced machine-learning algorithms, including those powering Wärtsilä’s CII Insight – a new set of capabilities which enable owners to forecast vessel compliance with CII and understand the impact of alternative solutions.

Valmet strengthens its presence and services for the marine industry by opening a new office in Miami

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 22 April 2022 22 April 2022

Valmet has opened a new office in Miami, Florida, to strengthen its local presence and improve its services for the global marine industry.

“Out of the many Valmet offices in the USA, this new one is solely dedicated to serving our marine customers. Miami is an ideal location for the office as it is home to the world’s largest cruising companies, and many of their ships are equipped with Valmet’s advanced marine automation solutions. Our marine customers now have better access to our automation experts’ know-how as well as our cybersecurity, turbine automation and emission control solutions,” says John Weierud, Director, Marine Automation, Valmet.

Valmet Marine Services are available for Valmet’s marine emission control and marine automation products. They are designed to improve vessel operation, including optimized performance and operation costs, safety, reduced emissions or high availability and reliability. Valmet offers a one-stop shop for marine services and improves value by combining its technology, process and control system know-how.

Today, cybersecurity plays an increasingly important role in the marine industry. Valmet provides cruise ships with a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services. These include regular Valmet DNA automation system security audits, continuous security updates, patch management and training for personnel.

Photo: Valmet’s experts serving the customers from their new office in Miami. Service engineers Yasser Dughman Cabrera (in front) and Joe Pinero De La Rosa

Valmet to launch its web-based Valmet DNA User Interface with tangible benefits for the marine automation market

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 21 April 2022 21 April 2022

Leveraging modern web technologies, the innovative user interface provides a new experience in controlling and monitoring a vessel’s machinery systems. Built on the latest web standards, it also enables monitoring from mobile or handheld devices. Combined with role-based user access features, it allows both the crew on board and the owner’s supervisors on shore to get exactly the information they need from the controlled and monitored systems.

“The new user interface enables all users to collaborate regardless of their physical location on board or on shore. Using mobile and handheld devices, the interface moves with the users anywhere they go and provides access to system monitoring tasks. Web-based technology represents a modern and state-of-the-art way of designing a user interface. It simplifies the integration between the automation system and the external systems – and provides better accessibility to monitoring and reporting functions on board and on shore,” says John Weierud, Director, Marine Automation, Valmet.

Valmet DNA User Interface delivers relevant information in visual, well-structured, easy-to-understand dashboards, key parameter overviews, process and subprocess views.

Inbuilt technical security controls and cybersecurity functions protect the automation network and the host computers against threats. The system can be accessed via a controlled web browser over secure HTTPS communication.

Relevant information based on different user group needs

“We have studied the user experience in process control, starting from ergonomic requirements to usability and collaborative tools. Today, more data is available than ever before. But at the same time, there are fewer operators. To enhance operation, the automation system needs to be readily available to perform the actions required by various operators. Also, process information is required outside the traditional control rooms. One focus on developing the new user interface has been to provide a good view of relevant information. That’s why we created different information levels,” explains Lars Edin Svaasand, Product and Development Manager, Marine, Valmet.

Role-based user access ensures that the automation system offers each user information that is meaningful to his or her role and tasks. Instead of pre-engineered content, the automation system allows the user to compose relevant information content and share it with other users. Each user can have customized page hierarchies and displays based on his or her own role – such as an operator in the control room, officers at wheelhouse, a supervisor or any other role. The different information levels allow operators to have easy access to important equipment or supervisors to access top-level trend information.

The most relevant process information is always readily available. Arranging different page styles and types of information on different hierarchy levels provides the user with a top-down view to all process information. This improves the system status perception and leads to better situational awareness and user experience.

“We can build the control room workstations with different levels of information, overviews, monitoring and controlling analyses, detailed process data, along with operational, supportive and diagnostic information,” John Weierud adds.

Valmet DNA UI presents the process in a very user-oriented way by color selection and graphic design according to modern design principles. Relevant information is delivered in visual, well-structured, easy-to-understand dashboards, key parameter overviews, process and subprocess views.

The new user interface can be delivered as an upgrade to existing Valmet DNA automation systems. Vessel owners can unlock the benefits of the new user interface with an upgrade rather than a full system retrofit.