The Ship Manoeuvring Simulator Centre (SMS) of Trondheim, Norway is the first training centre to have its navigation course certified to DNV’s ice navigation standard. “Representing the world’s only competence standard in this area we are stressing the importance that the additional challenges in Arctic waters must be met with a highly skilled crew”, says Jon Rysst, DNV’s regional manager of Norway, Finland and Baltics. (more…)

OceanSaver has announced signing a major contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea for the delivery of two ballast water management (BWM) systems for Gungen, a leading Turkish owner and operator of high-spec Suezmax crude-oil tankers. Valued at NOK 25 million (EUR 3.15 million), the Gungen BWM agreement follows OceanSaver’s six VLCC BWM system deal. (more…)

The Swedish Coast Guard is to install Volvo Penta’s Inboard Performance System (IPS) in an entirely new type of vessel - KBV 312 - for surveillance, border control, fishing control, sea rescue and safety at sea activities. Using the IPS system, the Coast Guard will reduce the fuel consumption of the five new vessels by about 30%. The first KBV 312 vessel in the series is scheduled for completion during autumn 2011. (more…)

Last week in the Geiranger fjord in Norway, onboard Hurtigruten’s Richard With, DNV officially launched its ECA Survival Kit in the presence of a selection of international maritime and offshore journalists as part of international press event organised by Blue-C. DNV’s principal consultant Henning Mohn (l) and segment director for special ships Arnstein Eknes (r) presented DNV’s new toolkit for ECA compliance. (more…)

Wärtsilä’s WFC20 fuel cell unit has been installed onboard the Undine, a car carrier, owned by Swedish Wallenius Lines and managed by Wallenius Marine. The fuel cell unit, which has a nominal output of 20 kW, is based on planar solid oxide fuel cell technology (SOFC), and fuelled with methanol. During the test period it will provide auxiliary power to the vessel while producing close to zero emissions. (more…)

Quantum is the name of a new container ship concept introduced by DNV. The new concept is based on both technical and market research and innovation and is designed to transport more cargo while using less fuel and with a reduced environmental impact. Its design speed is 21 knots, but it can operate efficiently at less than 10 knots and more than 22 knots. (more…)

Still in the grip of an economic downturn, the shipping industry is struggling to manage the gap between shrinking budgets and the costs of maintaining quality safety and environmental performance through competence. But according to DNV, the issue is widely misunderstood. DNV has prepared an Open Letter to senior shipping executives. (more…)

The Kalmar Maritime Academy, a well-established maritime training centre on Sweden’s east coast has taken delivery of its latest engine room simulator (ERS) from Kongsberg Maritime. The aademy’s expansion of its ERS portfolio includes the installation of a new DNV approved full-mission simulator based on Kongsberg Maritime’s K-Chief 500 and AutoChief C20 automation solutions for real vessels. (more…)

Kongsberg Maritime is proud to announce that its Polaris Dynamic Positioning simulator is the first to achieve DNV approval to the stringent Class A standard. The leading simulator developer has also achieved DNV approval to Class A standards for its Bridge Operation simulator including class notification of DP, Ice Navigation, High Speed Craft and Tug simulation. (more…)

Autoship Systems Corporation (ASC) of Vancouver, Canada is pleased to announce Farstad Shipping’s Ship of the Year, Far Samson sails with Autoload onboard stability software. Far Samson is a construction support vessel with a length of 121.5 m and a beam of 26 m, outfitted at Aker Yard Langsten and designed and equipped by Rolls Royce (RR). (more…)