Products & services

ABB enables Eckerö Line’s cruise ferry to increase operational safety

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 May 2019 01 May 2019

ABB and Eckerö Line teams will install ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision on board cruise ferry Finlandia with no interruption to the ship’s schedule. In addition to the mechanical interface, ABB Marine & Ports Digital Service teams will support the crew to maximize the value from the system and integrate the additional tool with their current bridge team operations.

ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision offers multiple real-time visualizations of a vessel's surroundings presenting the ship and its environment in ways beyond the capabilities of the human eye.

With ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision is deployed, a virtual model of the ship is superimposed on real surroundings measured using various sensor technologies. This allows for monitoring the vessel and its surroundings from a birds-eye view and switching to other views instantaneously. The solution makes it easier to predict vessel motions with respect to the actual surroundings and gives the user visibility of previously hidden obstacles.

“Our goal is to improve environmental performance and safety, and we worked with ABB to achieve greater efficiency in docking and high traffic situations. Our customers demand high levels of safety in all conditions and this solution enables our crew to provide a reliable service that doesn’t comprise their expectations,” said Daniel Olsén, Technical Manager, Eckerö Group.

“Digitalization provides solutions for existing and newbuild ships alike,” said Jyri Jusslin, Head of Global Service, ABB Marine & Ports. “This retrofit does exactly that. Enhancing docking safety and efficiency will also allow Finlandia’s crew to support their schedule, in conditions that can vary from bright sunlight to dark icy conditions throughout the year.”

The cruise ferry is operated by the Finnish shipping company Eckerö Line and makes return voyages three times daily between Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.

WE Tech boost the power for Stena E-Flexer

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 23 April 2019 23 April 2019

Stena Edda, the second next generation vessel of Stena’s E-Flexer series, had her ‘float out’ ceremony on 15 April 2019 at AVIC Weihai Shipyard, China.

The E-Flex concept is described as a new generation of Ropax vessels focusing on energy efficiency and flexibility. This goal can be easily achieved via introducing the energy efficient solutions innovated by WE Tech Solutions.

The compact and robust modular designed WE Drive (Variable Frequency Drive) enables efficient, flexible and economical power distribution. In Power Take Out (PTO) mode, the propulsion machinery operates in combinator/variable speed mode via WE Drive, while the shaft generator provides the vessel’s electric network with considerable electrical power that results in variable speed and optimised efficiency of the Main Engine.

The Efficient Power Distribution solution utilises the common DC-link to distribute power in energy efficient and economical ways. Large electrical consumers such as thruster or large compressors can have their dedicated Inverter Units (INU) connected directly to the common DC-LINK. The solution also enables efficient power distribution and controlled short circuit currents, which allows lighter switchboards in marine installations.

The most fuel-efficient ferries in the world

“AVIC is always willing to cooperate with international companies, such as WE Tech Solutions, to reach a win-win situation. The combination of WE Tech’s reliable solutions and AVIC’s mature shipbuilding technology brings the most energy efficient ships to the sea. We strongly believe that WE Tech’s innovative and proven technology will lead and further develop the shipping industry”, comments Mr Hongbing Liao, the CEO of AVIC International Ship Development (China) Ltd.

Stena Edda has a length of 214.50 meters with a freight capacity of 3,100 lane meters and the space to carry 120 cars and 1,000 passengers and crews. Stena Edda is scheduled to start operating the Liverpool Belfast line in 2020.The sister vessel Stena Estrid was floated on 16th January 2019.

Adventure Golf Services named distributor and installer of Bergo flooring systems for ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 09 April 2019 09 April 2019

Adventure Golf Services (AGS) has been named to distribute and install the Bergo marine flooring system for decks, balconies and other exterior flooring needs for cruise and other ships in service, including river boats, mega-yachts, ferries, and other utility ships. Adventure Golf will also sell and install the Bergo Sport Floor system on ships.

“We are extremely satisfied to select Adventure Golf Services to represent our company’s effort to strengthen our marine business area,” says Ulf Hellmuth, Export Manager, Bergo Flooring AB, located in Anderstorp, Sweden. “We welcome their international expertise in the cruise ship industry, which will provide a platform for future growth with our Bergo Excellence flooring tiles. Bergo has almost 50 years of experience creating a decking product that has minimal fade, can withstand the hot and cold climate cycles, has excellent drainage, is slip resistant, and has sound absorbing characteristics, all essential in the marine industry. Our Excellence Extreme tile is the first IMO approved floor tile for ship use. Adventure Golf will use our products in entertainment areas, pools, suite balconies, sports decks and other exterior decks.”

“This alliance with Bergo, a flooring industry leader, demonstrates Adventure Golf’s resolve to continue its growth in marine products and services,” says Scott Lundmark, President. Adventure Golf Services (AGS). “We have company specialists with in-depth knowledge and technology for design, fabrication and installation of our many cruise ship products and services on exterior decks and interior spaces, including miniature golf courses, putting greens, bocce ball and croquet courts, pickleball and other sports courts, golf hitting bays and other products. We also have experience installing a variety of panels including sports courts on ships decks, so this is a good fit for both companies. Our clients will benefit as there are substantial savings using the Bergo tiles system, when compared to other deck surfaces.”

“Adventure Golf routinely works with other flooring specialists as we install Adventure Golf products and, in many instances, an entire deck area could easily use a Bergo Marine floor,” says Mike Arnold, AGS Vice President Cruise Ship Division.

According to AGS, working with shipyards all over the world is an acquired skill. There are long timelines, sometimes years. Shipping can take up to 45 days. Crews mobilize all over the world, and must know ship safety and rules of conduct. The crews must be prepared for either new ship construction, renovation or revitalization, or work while the ship is in service.

Says Arnold, “Most of our work is on upper decks which are not available for installation of our products since they are used to stage materials for other work. Our crews are usually one of the last ones on the ship and we have to be fast, efficient and complete jobs quickly, usually in less than two weeks.”

AGS is a global leader in the design, fabrication and installation of fun, interactive, cost-effective entertainment attractions like miniature golf, pickleball, shuffleboard, bocce ball, croquet & other recreational courts. Besides concrete-poured installations, AGS has long term experience installing interlocking panel system versions on rooftops, cruise ships, indoor waterparks, and other outdoor applications, such as amusement parks, family entertainment centers, hotels and resorts, and other attractions.

Biggest European shipbuilders collaborate on vessel connectivity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 16 April 2019 16 April 2019

The biggest European shipbuilders have announced a new cooperative initiative to develop and demonstrate a connected vessel platform. This project is named Code Kilo.

In order to meet the digitalisation challenges of a diverse audience of stakeholders, in a robust, secure and cost-effective way, EUROYARDS members (Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Damen Shipyards Group, Fincantieri, Lürssen, Meyer Werft, Naval Group and Navantia) joined forces to harmonise data management solutions and standards. This new, ambitious project will seek for the full cooperation and engagement of all maritime stakeholders, including shipowners, shipbuilders, suppliers and classification societies, and it is supported by SEA Europe, the Shipyards’ and Maritime Equipment Association.

Ship systems currently provide large amounts of data related to equipment status, ship operations and performance. The overall purpose is increasing the opportunities to reuse, combine and gain values and insights from data. This will allow the operator, the yard and equipment suppliers to optimise their respective activities. Enhancing the vessel digitalisation through fully-fledged integration will contribute to achieving the sustainability and circularity goals at the core of the European maritime sector.

European shipbuilders are, therefore, committed to applying their knowledge of physical system integration to improve digital integration, aiming at establishing the base for future business opportunities with IoT, Big Data and AI. In this respect, the cooperation of all the stakeholders, including customers, classification societies and suppliers is essential for the success of the project.

Valmet introduces Valmet Marine Cyber Security to increase the automation system security of ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 09 April 2019 09 April 2019

Valmet is developing its Valmet DNA Security Services and introduces Marine Cyber Security solution for vessels that are using Valmet DNA automation system.

Due to the continued evolution of new malware, ensuring a ship's automation system security can be challenging. Therefore, Valmet's cyber security services for marine are designed to help shipowners easily create and maintain a constant, secure operating environment.

"With the help of our Marine Cyber Security solution, shipowners can be well-prepared to enjoy the reliable operation of their vessels both in port and at sea. They know they have taken the necessary steps to minimize the risks of cyberattacks, increased malware protection and ensured the security of system critical data," says Lars-Edin Svaasand, Manager, Research & Development, Automation Business Line, Valmet.

Valmet continuously follows up on new security threats and rebuilds its defense solution accordingly. This allows the company to keep a vessel's automation system cyber security up-to-date throughout its entire lifecycle.

Customers around the world have already started to take advantage of the benefits the Valmet Marine Cyber Security services provide to their vessels. The systems in use meet the high standards of the DNV GL certification society and have already received their respected approval.

Technical information about Valmet Marine Cyber Security

The offering provides Valmet's marine customers with a comprehensive set of protection measures. These include regular Valmet DNA automation system security audits, continuous security updates, patch management and training for personnel.

To ensure a fast and simple return to operation in the case of a possible attack, Valmet offers a backup service for critical system data. This service includes maintenance of automatic backup scheduling and verification of backup content at regular intervals.