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Meiko's M-iQ warewashers now available for seagoing galleys

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 22 August 2011 22 August 2011

Over a year has passed since the specialist dishwasher manufacturer MEIKO launched what is arguably the world's most intelligent dishwasher in the land-based catering sector: the M-iQ series of conveyor and basket transport warewashers. Now the company has announced it will soon be offering these machines for kitchens on seagoing ships. The M-iQ generation of warewashing machines includes an impressive range of new features which minimise the use of energy and resources – the first time a system of this kind has made such a major contribution towards protecting our environment.

Jürgen Sell, the MEIKO sales consultant responsible for the Marine Division, has gathered feedback on the first M-iQ systems to be installed in hotels, hospitals and catering facilities both in Europe and the USA: "Intelligent, innovative and trend-setting – these are the key attributes of MEIKO’s latest innovation. M-iQ machines offer the lowest consumption figures that are currently achievable. Never before has a warewashing system used so little water and so little energy in a professional kitchen environment And by minimising the use of chemicals, we are protecting both the operator's balance sheet and the environment at the same time. This new system offers the potential to make savings of some 30 percent as compared to conventional machines of this type."

The key features that make M-iQ superior to any other comparable system can be summed up in a few words: A revolutionary filter system, a new airflow system that removes the need for a direct exhaust air connection, a special cleaning process that provides superb cleaning performance while cutting the use of energy and resources by one third, a heat recovery system, a self cleaning function, and a modular design that allows for a range of internal heights and widths.

But what benefits does a feature like the new airflow system actually offer our customers? The answer: A 90 percent reduction in exhaust air – a truly astonishing figure! On an average ship with a gross registered tonnage of 140,000 and some 4,000 passengers, that means a reduction in exhaust air of more than 30 million m3. This quantity of air on a ship would normally have to be cooled down by the air conditioning system and then injected into the various washing-up areas before it could once again be sucked out and extracted – so this kind of dramatic reduction in exhaust air means that shipbuilders can scale down a ship's air conditioning system and start saving money before the ship is even built! Shipping companies also get the chance to cut costs, because processing this quantity of air requires huge amounts of electricity which are produced on ships by burning fossil fuels.

All these features stem from MEIKO’s determination to offer sustainable cleaning technologies that foster a clean environment. MEIKO has stated that the idea behind M-iQ was to introduce seemingly contradictory requirements into a single coherent design, combining superb hygiene and absolute cleanliness with the careful stewardship of water, energy and chemicals. The team that designed M-iQ understands that sticking to a tight budget is simply a question of using economical technologies that really work, and this same principle is being applied to the latest version of the innovative warewashing system which is currently being developed. With this innovative product, MEIKO is actively supporting the ‘green ship’ concept applied by many shipping lines and making a major contribution to keeping our oceans clean.

Star Center maneuvers into DP training market with simulators from Kongsberg Maritime

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 13 August 2011 13 August 2011

STAR Center, located in Dania Beach, Florida, is launching into the Dynamic Positioning (DP) Training market, expanding its comprehensive world-class simulation training services to the offshore, cable laying and cruise ship markets in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.

In a contract signed with Kongsberg Maritime Simulation through its Mystic, CT, USA office, STAR Center will acquire a dual-redundant Advanced K-Pos DP trainer capable of being integrated with its existing Kongsberg Maritime developed Polaris Ship Bridge Simulator, in addition to six Basic K-Pos DP trainers, to be used in a classroom setting with a separate instructor station. Kongsberg Maritime, widely recognised as the world’s market leader for DP systems, will provide STAR Center with proven DP training technology – the same DP technology used onboard thousands of offshore support vessels, cable layers, research ships, cruise ships and other DP-enabled vessels and oil rigs worldwide.

Phil Shullo, Director of Training for the AMO Safety & Education Plan and Managing Director at STAR Center, said: “We view this important addition to our suite of simulation training services to be of strategic importance to ensuring American Maritime Officers members are prepared to operate the most technologically advanced vessels in support of AMO contracted companies The first order of business will be to seek Nautical Institute accreditation and enter this market quickly.”

Brian Long, Director of STAR Center Dania Beach, added: “Our choice of vendor for DP trainers was an easy one. Kongsberg Maritime is widely recognized as the world leader in both real equipment and DP simulation systems. KONGSBERG DP technology is a major player in the industry in the Gulf of Mexico and the K-Pos DP trainer solution represents exceptional value and builds on a long-standing trusting relationship.”

The Basic DP training systems will allow students to practice realistic DP operations on their desktop panels and through the graphical user interface on the monitors. The instructor will guide the students to operate the DP control system, and the built-in simulator will offer realistic response to the operations initiated by each student.

The Advanced Trainer is based on the Kongsberg K-Pos DP22, a dual redundant dynamic positioning system designed for all DP applications with a full range of functionality. Its modularity and use of common building blocks allows for high flexibility and various upgrades. The system is designed to satisfy class notations equivalent to Dynamic Positioning Class 2, including dual redundancy, no single-point failure; failure detection; fault isolation; switchover to hot standby; and comparison of sensor data between computers.

In addition to the Basic and Advanced DP trainers, STAR Center will also receive four DP Models, three of which will be twinned with three Polaris simulator ‘ownship’ models for use on STAR’s existing Full Mission bridge. DP models to be delivered include a supply vessel, a semi-submersible, a tanker and a drill ship.

Henry Tremblay, President of Kongsberg Maritime Simulation, said: “We are proud to be affiliated with STAR Center. With such a strong historical track record working with the cruise and offshore industries, paired with their highly competent staff and strategic location, we have every confidence their entrance into the DP market will yield positive results for the Center and their customers. As evidenced by continuing strong sales of Kongsberg DP systems in the Gulf of Mexico, the DP market is on solid footing and STAR Center is strategically positioned to capture their share of it.”

Wärtsilä acquires Cedervall, the Swedish manufacturer of marine shaft seal and bearing systems

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 14 July 2011 14 July 2011

Wärtsilä has acquired Cedervall, one of the leading manufacturers of shaft seal and bearing systems for the marine industry. Cedervall is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the company has subsidiaries in Spain, China and Singapore, with manufacturing facilities in Sweden, China and Spain.

This acquisition strengthens Wärtsilä's leading position in the global marine services market, in line with its strategy. The combination of Wärtsilä's and Cedervall's businesses will create the market leader for oil and water lubricated seals and bearings, as well as for sterntubes. Cedervall enjoys a strong reputation in the global marine market. The company's key products are sterntube and bulkhead seals, sterntubes and sterntube bearings, intermediate shaft bearings, and propulsion rudders and nozzles In 2010, the company's annual net sales were SEK 344 million (EUR 39 million) and its profitability was on a good level. The company employs 211 people. Its manufacturing facilities are located in Gothenburg, Sweden, in Zhangjiagang, China, and in Vigo and Porrino, Spain.

"Cedervall's oil and water lubricated seals and bearings, and sterntubes optimally complete the range of products and services in Wärtsilä's seals and bearings portfolio. Furthermore, Cedervall's excellent know-how and expertise will further enhance our competitiveness. Now having all products in the propulsion line in-house, this acquisition strengthens our total propulsion solutions," says Christoph Vitzthum, Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Services.

Cedervall will be integrated into Wärtsilä Corporation. All employees will continue as Wärtsilä employees after the acquisition, including the current owners Anders Lundgren and Henric Lundgren. The value of the transaction is not published.

"For Cedervall, this deal offers an outstanding opportunity to develop and grow the business, in a way that meets the needs of global customers. We could have continued alone, but being a part of Wärtsilä, the leading equipment and after sales services provider with a truly global presence, has clear benefits," says Anders Lundgren, Managing Director, Cedervall.

The acquisition is subject to relevant regulatory approvals, which are expected during the third quarter of 2011.

Consilium Marine Group and Orange Business Services announces global agreement for Maritime Satellite Services

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 06 July 2011 06 July 2011

Consilium Marine Group, a worldwide supplier of marine products and customer services,and Orange Business Services, a leading global integrator of communication solutions, announces today that they have signed a high-level global cooperation agreement.

Consiliumwill globally market Orange marine VSAT communication solutions through its 34offices in 19 countries. Orange Satellite Services includes a VSAT satellite communication system specially developed for marine communications and that integrates vessels into a corporate network enabling access to all business applications as if the vessel is a terrestrial office.

This global cooperation brings together the 40 years of satellite and maritime experience from Orange Business Services with Consilium's leadership in developing and marketing products and systems for safety and navigation to the shipping industry.

"We look forward to progressing this cooperation agreement, and it will also allow us to develop our systems to their full extent for compliance with the industry's never-ending enhancement of safety requirements," said Ove Hansson, president, Consilium AB. "Improved communication for verbal and written conversation and remote diagnostics are only a few features enabling this and that can be made possible by this collaboration."

Roger Söderberg, Vice President Nordics & Baltics, Orange Business Services,said: "The success of this cooperation agreement will bring more customer value to the respective offers of Consilium and Orange Business Services Working together, we can provide customers the option of having their products and systems from Consilium integrated into a communications system that provides real-time broadband services to vessels wherever they are. Through this solution, Consilium products and systems can be managed from the shorewhich can lead to decreased operational costs, such as saving fuel thanks to ECDIS."

International Humanitarian Assistance conference in Miami in 2012

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 06 July 2011 06 July 2011

The International Humanitarian Assistance Symposium will be held in Miami, June 7^th – 8^th 2012, organized by The Family Assistance Foundation and Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services. The symposium will enhance industry response to emergencies and disasters, uniting different sectors through knowledge sharing and thus ensuring those involved in an unforeseen tragedy are given the support they need. The two day event will consist of a series of educational panels, practical workshops and experiences recounted first hand by disaster and accident survivors and responders. Specialist subjects to be discussed include the role of Humanitarian Assistance with regard to terrorist attacks and an examination of international protocol for death notification. www.ihas2012.com

The Family Assistance Foundation is an independent non-profit organization established for the purpose of empowering people following tragedy. It has taken a research led approach to identifying the best possible way to respond and support people in an accident or emergency. The annual symposium provides a platform to share these lessons and discuss how they can be applied in real life situations.

“The unfortunate truth is that accidents and disasters happen. Even with advanced safety and prevention programs in place, it is impossible to foresee when and where a coach will crash, a person will become ill at sea or when technological or natural disasters will occur. We don’t claim to have a full proof plan for humanitarian response, but through our survivors and responders we can share lessons learnt with others on how to respond when disasters happen. ” Said Jeff Morgan, Chairman & Co-Founder, The Family Assistance Foundation.

The symposium will provide information on the international resources available in the event of a disaster or accident. The Global Survivor Support Network of The Family Assistance Foundation has trained members worldwide and acts on behalf of organizations, should they need to provide humanitarian support in a location in which they have no local presence.

“With greater expectations on international businesses to take the duty of care once a client, guest or passenger is receiving their service, being prepared for the worst scenario becomes a corporate requirement. Many international businesses are unaware of the global resources available to assist in emergency situations. This symposium provides the knowledge and networking opportunities for organizations to forge partnerships that will ensure the appropriate response to an emergency or disaster in locations worldwide. ” Said Mark Robinson, Intercruises Managing Director.

The announcement follows the recent news that Intercruises is undertaking full Go Team training in partnership withAviem International, a global leader in providing emergency planning and consulting services, becoming the first international cruise industry ground handler to have this level of emergency response.