The Research Council of Norway announced that is awarding more than USD 20 million to Norwegian research project Safe Autonomous Ships (SFI Autoship). The strategic research project studies methods and technology for enabling safe and secure autonomous operations of maritime vessels.

The aim of the project is to ensure that Norwegian players take a leading role in the development of ship automation, especially within the areas of technology, business models and security.

G2 Ocean and one of its owners, Grieg Star, are two of the 22 partners involved in the project.

“This is an exciting collaboration between world-leading researchers and industry partners. Developing partnerships and supporting knowledge sharing is important to drive the maritime industry towards a digital future,” says Vice President Project Cargo & Innovation Leif Arne Strømmen.

Autonomous cargo handling

The development of autonomation is gaining increasing attention in the maritime industry both nationally and internationally.

G2 Ocean’s participation in the project is mainly related to autonomous cargo handling as this is expected to expand in the future.

“The largest cost to the shipowner, apart from bunkers, is the vessel’s time in port. Over the years, we expect to see more ports with 24 hours working time through better automation, without increasing labour requirements but significantly improving their safety,” VP Operations Phil Curran says.

The project’s academic focus areas include:

1. Innovations in enabling technologies, such as situation awareness, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, simulation, and testing.
2. New business models and operational concepts for the use of autonomous vessels.
3. Guaranteeing safety and security of using autonomous ships.

Project Partners:

NTNU, SINTEF Ocean, SINTEF Digital, University of Oslo, Institute for Energy Technology, Sjøfartsdirektoratet, NCL, MacGregor, The Norwegian Coastal Administration, Port of Trondheim, Trondheim municipality, Kongsberg Gruppen, DNV GL, Gard, Torghatten, Telia, Massterly, Embron, Maritime Robotics, Idletechs, Equinor and G2 Ocean

The Port Authority of Valencia has received more than 1,000 photographs to celebrate the exhibition-tribute to society in the form of images showing the day-to-day adaptation to the health emergency caused by the Covid-19. An initiative that includes photographs sent by all kinds of people and that shows in an illustrative way how the Coronavirus pandemic is being dealt with from different points of view, with snapshots that reflect aspects such as the actions of health personnel, teleworking, confinement, adaptation to de-escalation, etc. Images that show the capacity of human beings to face a situation that has changed our routine and show the solidarity and pain caused by the pandemic.

The PAV wanted to involve the whole society to participate in this tribute and therefore has requested the collaboration of Agrupación Fotográfica Valenciana, Foro València Foto and Foto Club València to reinforce the exhibition of photographs that will be held in the Clock Building in the Port of Valencia. The photographs can be sent until July 1st to the email address contravientoymarea@valenciaport.com

To date, the Port Authority of Valencia has received more than 1,000 images that can be seen in an online exhibition on the website www.valenciaport.com. This initiative will culminate in an exhibition in the Clock Building, an emblematic place in the city of Valencia that is becoming a cultural reference point, of a selection of images that will be taken by professional photographers: José Aleixandre, José Penalba, Alba García, Antonio Alcaraz, Eva Mañez, José Poveda and Tania Castro.

Alfa Laval – a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling –has signed two frame agreements, running over the coming three years, for ballast water treatment systems. The agreements comprise firm orders to deliver Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 to about 40 vessels, with options covering another 40 systems.

Even as the shipping industry has been heavily hit by the current pandemic, Alfa Laval has continued working closely with its marine customers to secure their daily operations and keep them prepared for tomorrow.

“We are proud to have secured these orders – especially in these challenging times,” says Sameer Kalra, President of the Marine Division and continues; “This confirms PureBallast 3’s status as a market-leading solution, while also proving that our focus on business continuity has been successful. We have worked hard to ensure that we remain close to our customers and can support them when they need us, despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic.”

The value of the firm orders is approximately SEK 100 million, including Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 systems and in some cases, also deck houses and booster pump units. The orders will be booked in the Marine Separation & Heat Transfer unit.