A harbor tug developed by Keppel Offshore & Marine and outfitted with technology from ABB is continuing to establish new levels in the efforts to move to automation. The tug’s autonomous operations for collision avoidance were recently verified making it the first vessel in the world to receive Autonomous and Remote-Control Navigation Notation from classification society ABS and the first Singapore-flagged vessel to receive the Smart (Autonomous) Notation from MPA.

According to ABB, the notations acknowledge the breakthrough performance of the tug as it helps to advance the field of autonomous operations. The demonstration of the autonomous collision avoidance capabilities in trials conducted at Raffles Reserved Anchorage, off Singapore Island, in March 2022, came just a year after the same vessel, the Maju 510, became the world’s first vessel to secure the ABS Remote-Control Navigation Notation, following initial remote operation trials at the Port of Singapore in April 2021.

The 105-foot-long harbor owned and operated by Keppel Smit Towage is being used to demonstrate the emerging technologies designed to both improve safety as well as relieve the crew of tasks that can be automated, enabling them to perform at their best during critical periods. Keppel O&M is the project lead for the autonomous solutions on the Maju 510, with the digital technologies developed by ABB.

During the most recent trials, the tug demonstrated its ability to autonomously avoid collisions in various scenarios, such as when two other vessels approach simultaneously on colliding paths and when a nearby vessel behaves erratically. The trials were supervised by an onboard tug master.

“I had the pleasure of being aboard Maju 510 during the collision avoidance trials and experiencing how smoothly the tug performed in autonomous mode,” said Romi Kaushal, Managing Director, Keppel Smit Towage. “What I found particularly impressive was how the digital system identified one or several risks in the tug’s planned path and responded to set the vessel on a new, safer course. The vessel performed as if it was operated by an experienced tug master.”

By allowing the crew to focus on the overall situation rather than on performing specific maneuvers, ABB says that the technology enhances safety and efficiency in tug operations. They point out that it can be particularly important in congested shipping hubs like Singapore. Furthermore, the systems can be upgraded to enable higher levels of autonomy depending on local regulations and the requirements of the vessel.

“As the systems integrator, Keppel O&M collaborated with ABB on customizing the autonomous solutions to enhance the vessel’s operational safety and efficiency. By liberating the crew of time- and energy-consuming tasks and improving accuracy during critical maneuvers, our autonomous solution has proven its ability to increase safety in even the busiest of ports. The autonomous solutions are future-ready to handle the growing demand of tug operations in Singapore port,” said Aziz Merchant, Executive Director, Keppel Offshore & Marine.

ABB points out that while the technology is being demonstrated on tugs, the same technology can be applied to a variety of vessel types including wind turbine installation vessels, cruise ships, and ferries. In another recent demonstration of the autonomous technology, the ice-class passenger ferry Suomenlinna II was remotely piloted through the Helsinki harbor.  The companies believe that the successful demonstrations and verification by class societies are helping to move the industry a step closer to autonomous operations.
Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/next-level-of-vessel-autonomy-verified-on-singapore-tug

Teams from Fugro and the Ocean Industries Concept Lab (OICL) at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design are working together on a research project exploring how best to harmonise maritime design by integrating standardised open-source elements into workplaces for remote operations.

Fugro and OICL have been exploring the application of user interface design elements from the open-source OpenBridge library for applications at sea and on land, to improve user experience when dealing with systems that require the integration of multiple types of hardware and software from different suppliers.

With the expanding pool of assets being utilised from Fugro’s remote operations centres this standardised interface will ensure consistency and promote safe and efficient operations, the partners note, enhancing training, removing the potential for error and enabling operators to perform successfully.

“The collaboration with Fugro has allowed us to accelerate the expansion of the OpenBridge platform to new maritime applications,” said OICL Professor Kjetil Nordby.

“In addition, we have a strategy of supporting all ocean industries’ workplaces at sea and on land, and direct collaboration with industry leaders such as Fugro helps us accelerate OpenBridge growth.”

Source: https://smartmaritimenetwork.com/2022/08/19/fugro-researches-open-source-standardised-design-for-remote-operations/

The quickest electrical ship of the world is prepared to set sail in Stockholm subsequent a year, slicing commuting occasions between some of the archipelagos in half.

The Candela P-12 is a “flying ferry” that has the capacity to host 30 passengers. The vessel has the ability to attain speeds of 30 knots. Even higher, the vessel is alleged to be the most energy efficient.

Candela has loved funding and aid from authorities in Sweden, with the agency collaborating with Stockholm for a nine-month passenger trial in the coming year.

The vessel boasts three carbon-fiber wings or hydrofoils, which allow it to rise out of the water when going at speeds beyond 18 knots.

As soon as airborne, the P-12 will be capable to have excessive speeds and journey lengthy distances owing to vital discounts in drag that come with flying above the water.

Candela’s technology is designed to lower energy per passenger kilometer by 95% compared to that of current vessels. The company has to say that the ship is going to be more energy efficient than even a hybrid bus. Besides, it will be able to recharge batteries in only an hour.

Candela collaborated with the Swedish National Traffic Agency, which has funded almost half of the vessel, with the firm funding the remaining half.

Slashing commuter times and environmental impacts

Stockholm is the ideal launch pad for P-12 owing to its multiple archipelagos and exclusive waterways. The City of Stockholm and Candela plan on deploying the vessel to connect the evolving suburb of Ekerö as well as the city center.

Residents of Ekerö residents have to take an almost one-hour trip via buses, subways, or conventional ferries. The Candela P-12 Shuttle is expected to cover the 15km route in about 25 minutes, saving almost 50 minutes daily.

The P-12’s flying abilities and lack of wake have permitted it to gain exemptions from Stockholm’s 12-knot river speed limit.

The near-zero wake is going to prevent wave impairment to sensitive shorelines, the environment, and other vessels, with P-12 producing less wake when at throttle than a traditional passenger vessel traveling at slow speeds.
As an added advantage, seasickness should not be an issue for P-12 passengers. Thanks to the computerized flight controller of the boat, its hydrofoils will get auto-adjusted up to 100 times every second to ensure that the ferry’s flying level is maintained.

How Stockholm aims to make maritime travel more mainstream

Maritime traffic is Stockholm’s most popular mode of public transport, but it is served by a fleet of more than 70 inefficient diesel-operated boats.

Gustav Hemming, VP of Regional Executive Board in Stockholm, responsible for sea-bound public transport, refers to the P-12 as a path breaker compared to the existing options. He mentions that the requirement is for new technology that’s more useful for commuter ferries

The City of Stockholm’s County Council is keen to help as it decided on playing a more active role in supporting and testing new public transport technologies.

Candela has to say that in Stockholm, passenger vessels have on average a 17% occupancy rate indicating that a 300-passenger vessel carries 50 people mostly.

They believe that the smaller vessels operating on more frequent schedules will be able to better serve residents than these larger ones that depart less often.

On the Stockholm-Ekerö channel, Candela proposes to replace the pair of 200-person diesel vessels with five P-12 Shuttles. Instead of two departures daily, there would be a P-12 Shuttle that sets sail every 11 minutes.

Candela predicts that the plan is likely to result in a 60% reduction in costs compared to the current vessels, even though it claims that this is a conservative estimate.

Mikael Mahlberg, Candela’s head of communications, mentions that national and local politicians have championed the assignment.

He observes the irony that waterways are the oldest infrastructure in several cities, yet they are not being used effectively now, something he strongly believes that his firm can transform.

Could other countries get ‘flying ferries’?

While the P-12 will make its debut in Stockholm, it has plans to produce hundreds of vessels each year for international distribution.

Candela says more than 600 cities, vessel operators, municipalities, and urban developers have expressed interest in the shuttle.

While converting interests to orders is the ultimate test, the P-12 may bring about a green revolution in the world of maritime commuter travel.

The P-12’s green credentials are expected to be clearer if more places follow Stockholm in powering vessels from renewable sources.

References: Euronews, CompleteTips 24 h, Archynetys

The companies involved in the project are Japan Marine United Corporation, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, NYK Group, Furuno Electric, Japan Radio, BEMAC Corporation, ClassNK, and NAPA.

The program called “Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering” (MODE) is scheduled to be established at the University of Tokyo in October 2022.

The move comes as the Japanese maritime industry seeks to develop and implement new technologies in the context of global decarbonization and integrate autonomous ships into the sector. The program also targets higher productivity as ship design and manufacturing processes become ever more complex.

Innovation is playing a key role in the decarbonization process of the shipping sector and is one of the decisive factors in beating the competition when it comes to securing new shipbuilding contracts.

Japanese shipbuilders have their job cut out for them being faced with fierce competition from their Korean and Chinese counterparts as they try to win new businesses. Therefore, coming up with efficient and green ship designs and technologies is becoming more important than ever.

To address all of these challenges, MODE will use model-based development (MBD) and model-based systems engineering (MBSE).

MBD and MBSE approach problems by examining the functions of products and components as computer models, and then checking their behaviors through simulations. In this way, complex designs can be optimized through a collaborative development process.

The program will be established by forming a broad network between the Graduate Schools of Frontier Sciences and Engineering at the University of Tokyo and other universities and research institutes around the world that are promoting advanced engineering initiatives. The program sets to include relevant experts from other industries such as automobiles, aerospace, and aviation.

“The program aims to develop, implement, and upskill users in the deployment of new technologies. It is also expected to expand into maritime fields such as offshore wind power generation and subsea resource development,” a joint press statement said.

An inaugural symposium is scheduled for the afternoon of October 4, 2022. The program is set to run for 5 years.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/japanese-majors-team-up-on-digital-engineering-technology/

A group of Japanese technology leaders have come together to establish a cooperation program called “Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering” (MODE), at the University of Tokyo from the 1st of October. The program aims to promote and enhance digital engineering technology and skills for the maritime sector by building cooperative simulation platforms.

Japan’s maritime industry is facing challenges, such as developing and implementing new technologies in the context of global decarbonization, maintaining shipping services by integrating autonomous ships to assist seafarers and improve safety, and ensuring high productivity among increasing complexity in ship design and manufacturing processes.

MODE aims to address these challenges by using model-based development (MBD) and model-based systems engineering (MBSE), which are increasingly being introduced in the automobile industry.

MBD and MBSE approach problems by examining the functions of products and components as computer models, and then checking their behaviors through simulations. MBD and MBSE enable not only the optimization of complex system designs, but also the creation of a collaborative development process (“Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering”) involving a wide range of stakeholders, including shippers and operators.

The program for research and education on MBD and MBSE for the maritime field will be established by a forming broad network between the Graduate Schools of Frontier Sciences and Engineering at the University of Tokyo and other universities and research institutes around the world that are promoting advanced engineering initiatives, and relevant experts from other industries such as automobiles, aerospace and aviation.

The program aims to develop, implement, and upskill users in the deployment of new technologies. It is also expected to expand into maritime fields such as offshore wind power generation and subsea resource development.

An inaugural symposium is scheduled for the afternoon of October 4, 2022, in Ito Hall at the University of Tokyo. MODE is committed to supporting the development of next-generation technologies and skills in Japan’s maritime sector, and to act as a platform for collaboration between industry, academia and government.

Source: https://seawanderer.org/japanese-companies-join-forces-to-build-a-co-operative-simulation-platform