DIGITAL SHIP NEWSLETTER August 23, 2002, subscriber version INSIDE THIS ISSUE SOFTWARE * Baltic Exchange acquires Strategic Software * BP Marine joins Marine Transaction Services * Xantic launches shipowner management information system * BP shipping buys ship handling training simulator * Tribon Solutions signs French manufacturers organisation * Marine Software installation with Hebridean cruises SHIP SHORE COMMUNICATIONS * Lockheed Martin completes final test for vessel traffic system * MTN provides OceanNews to ResidenSea * Stratos launches prepaid service for Mini-M * Seafarers can permanently "say it with flowers" via Inmarsat * JRC launches Inmarsat Fleet terminal * The Public Warehousing Company and Danisat offer fleet tracking and security * L-3 Communications acquires Ross Engineering * Norcontrol develops "any language" VTS * JRC launches Fleet terminal * Satamatics opens in US MARITIME OPERATIONS * Videotel warns shipowners over security training requirements * Xantic and Faslink to provide online banking facilities via satellite CONTAINER SHIPPING * Horizon Services Group extends logistics management software * Maersk Sealand expands Descartes relationship _____ *** FORTHCOMING DIGITAL SHIP EVENTS *** The virtual box : integration in container shipping Hamburg, sept 18-19 2002 If you are involved in container shipping as part of your work, then you are probably also involved in the technology increasingly being used to link the container shipping supply chain together. At this event you can meet, have lunch with, discuss and learn from similar executives like yourself involved in container shipping technology in the relaxed, informal, and wide ranging environment of a Digital Ship conference. We believe that there is a lot of value to be gained with people from shipping lines meeting and talking informally about what they are doing with other shipping lines and have tried to create an environment which will make this possible. In the conference, representatives of shipper Otto Versand and freight forwarder A Hartrodt will present their perspectives and what they are looking for. Senior executives from technology provides INTTRA, LINE, GT NEXUS, OPTIMUM LOGISTICS, EMODAL, FREIGHT TRADERS, SAVI, CARGOSMART, G-LOG, CCEWEB, INTERNATIONAL ASSET SYSTEMS, MERCATOR, DAKOSY, HANSESTAR, SYNCHRONET, TRADESHIP, SOFTSHIP and NAVIS will give their perspectives and talk about what they are doing. Issues covered include container shipping security, different technologies for systems integration, electronic documentation, changes to the shipping procurement process, RFID tags, integrations with terminals and depots and approaches to computer networking. The event is a medium sized one and places are limited, so if you're interested we recommend that you contact us now to reserve yours. Contact Kaara Barbour in Digital Ship's London office on barbour@thedigitalship.com, tel (+44 207) 510 2363, or follow the instructions below to register online. We already have delegate bookings from Klaxon IQA, GloMaP, INTTRA, Hapag Lloyd, Lufthansa, NYK Line, Port of Barcelona, Uni Feeder (United Shippping Agencies), Antwerp Shipping Federation, PT Terminal Petikemas Surabaya, University of Applied Sciences Good Profile, Paulfred Services and more _______ DIGITAL SHIP 2002 http://www.thedigitalship.com/digitalship2002.htm London Nov 4-6 2002 This three day event covers MARITIME SECURITY, SOFTWARE and SHIP SHORE COMMUNICATIONS The online program is being continually updated with new speakers and information _______ DIGITAL SHIP SINGAPORE http://www.thedigitalship.com/singapore.htm Singapore, December 12-13 2002 Effective management of ship-shore communications and maritime software _______ Baltic Exchange acquires Strategic Software http://www.balticexchange.com The Baltic Exchange and Strategic Software have announced that they have agreed on the terms of Baltic acquiring full ownership of Strategic. This follows discussions with shareholders of Strategic and with Lloyd's Register-Fairplay, which withdrew from its interest in the software company. The proposed acquisition of Strategic, which is now subject to due diligence inquiries, is reported to be a further stage in the Exchange's strategy of developing its electronic platform for shipbrokers, balticexchange.com, which was launched a year ago. Jim Buckley, chief executive of the Baltic says, "This acquisition is important to the future development of the Exchange internationally and we are confident that our ability to develop a new suite of software while at the same time enhancing the level and quality of support for our existing electronic platform will make our products and services extremely attractive. "The Exchange plans to invest a significant sum to support new software development. The Exchange's acquisition will also safeguard this important channel of distribution for data provided by LR-F. That data is also used in the Baltic's e-platform." Peter Rygaard Andersen of Strategic comments, "I am delighted that we have reached this agreement with the Baltic Exchange. Many of its members and subscribers to balticexchange.com are long-standing customers of Strategic and this agreement secures the continuity of supply of Strategic desktop systems and their further development. The complementary expertise of the two organisations will constitute a formidable combination in the international market place." On completion of the transaction, Strategic will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Baltic Exchange Limited. For a more in-depth story on this latest development, read the next issue of Digital Ship. ____ BP Marine joins Marine Transaction Services http://www.e4marine.com BP Marine has joins Marine Transaction Services (MTS). MTS, a new initiative in marine e-commerce launched in June, aims "to bring greater efficiency into e-procurement and marine supplies. In addition to BP Marine, MTS is supported by marine suppliers Alfa Laval, Wartsila and Unitor, technology and integration provider Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and e-procurement provider e4marine. Peter Davy, e-Business Manager of BP Marine, says: "BP Marine always look to the future and remain abreast of emerging technologies. Our association with MTS gives us the perfect opportunity to explore the opportunities presented and to position ourselves for the future." ____ Xantic launches shipowner management information system http://www.xantic.net Maritime software and communications company Xantic will launch AMOS F-MIS, a web hosted management information system for shipping fleet owners. The system provides complete business information from maintenance to purchasing and stock. Taking data from Xantic's AMOS maintenance and purchase software, the tool provides at a glance information to shipowners and shipmanagers about the status of their fleet, including main performance indicators. The data is accessible over the internet, so shipowners can monitor their fleet at any time and make management decisions more quickly. There is no software installation. The reports are built around a technology called OLAP cubes, which allow data to be analysed from different perspectives, for example the manager can look at a report showing the total maintenance costs of each vessel, or total costs per ship over the last 5 years. The owner can find out which particular class of spares is costing the most money. All overview data has drill down buttons enabling users to immediately find out reasons for any problem, right down to accessing the original data. Data can be displayed in any format, including charts, pies, histograms, line charts. ____ BP shipping buys ship handling training simulator http://www.bmtseatech.com PC Rembrandt, a ship handling training simulator developed by British Maritime Technology's (BMT) subsidiary BMT SeaTech, has been supplied to BP Shipping for its new gas vessels. The office-based system will enable the assessment of risk during port entry and departure and the establishment of operational limits for proposed new LNG terminals. It will also be possible to present simulation results to pilots, harbourmasters, coast guards and regulatory authorities for approval and to support the operation of new ports. Additional systems to be installed on LNG newbuilds will be supplied with a dedicated control console and electronic charts of each or all the ports that the vessels are likely to visit. ____ Tribon Solutions signs French manufacturers organisation http://www.tribon.com The Association of French Marine Equipment Manufacturers (COFRENA), a non-profit organisation comprising 55 industry members, has joined Tribon.com. Mr. Claude Petit-Jeannot, President, COFRENA, says: "We are constantly looking for ways to improve the productivity and profitability for our members. By joining Tribon.com our members will be able to market their products world wide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year." ____ Marine Software installation with Hebridean cruises http://www.marinesoftware.co.uk Marine software house Marine Software has been commissioned by Hebridean Island Cruises, Scotland, to install its Marine Planned Maintenance system onboard HV Hebridean Spirit, as a replacement for the Xantic AMOS software. Installations have also been made by Midocean (IOM Ltd), which manages vessels on behalf of the Delmas Group, and has installed the Marine Purchasing System software on 9 further container and ro-ro vessels. It now has 13 vessels in total using the software. Other installations are with 3 Stena Line's ro-ro freight vessels running between Felixstowe, UK, and Europort, Netherlands. ____ *** SHIP SHORE COMMUNICATIONS *** Lockheed Martin completes final test for vessel traffic system http://www.lockheedmartin.com Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of the final Site Acceptance Test (SAT) for the Gulf of Suez Vessel Traffic Information Management System (VTIMS), which will monitor and control ship traffic in all major port and harbour waters. The $50 million maritime safety system is the foundation of the Arab Republic of Egypt's total port management program. "The oil rigs on the Gulf of Suez and the tourism that surrounds our popular coral reefs help make up the backbone of our economy," said Admiral Sherin El Kady, chairman of the Ports and Lighthouses Administration, the customer for the project. "This maritime safety system supports Egypt's quest to promote tourism and commerce while preserving the environment and preventing disasters such as oil spills that could harm our natural resources." The new VTIMS will be complemented by a Search and Rescue (SAR) system, which Lockheed Martin will provide under a $50 million contract signed in February. ____ MTN provides OceanNews to ResidenSea http://www.mtnsat.com Maritime Telecommunications Network has announced it will provide newspaper services for ResidenSea's new vessel, The World, a "first resort community at sea continuously circumnavigating the globe." MTN will deliver current, digitally imaged, full-format newspapers on board via satellite internet. ____ Stratos launches prepaid service for Mini-M http://www.stratos.ca Stratos will be providing a seamless prepaid airtime services for Inmarsat Mini-M. The service supports voice, fax, and data under one account. No additional account numbers are required. The terminal dial number or the SIM card is the account identifier. There are no short codes to dial, no PINS, no calling cards, and no special software or hardware is needed. The service allows for the caller's prepaid account to be recharged via electronic payment, including credit cards and wire transfers. ____ Seafarers can permanently "say it with flowers" via Inmarsat http://www.inmarsat.com Inmarsat has announced the permanent availability of a service that enables seafarers to send flowers to loved ones anywhere in the world from onboard a ship. The service, run in conjunction with Interflora, builds on a three-month pilot project launched in May 2001. "Of the estimated 1.3 million seafarers who go to sea annually, many can be are away from home for up to 12 months at a time", says David Walker, maritime business development manager at Inmarsat. "Whilst e-commerce, or the buying of goods over the Internet, is any everyday communications need for many of us based on land, it's a very different story for seafarers for whom even basic things like sending gifts to loved ones on birthdays is often difficult. With the Interflora service, the maritime community can now buy and send flowers to friends and loved ones anywhere in the world." The service is currently available through Inmarsat's global partners KDDI, SingTel and Xantic. ____ JRC launches Inmarsat Fleet terminal http://www.jrcamerica.com JRC has launched its Fleet antenna, JUE-410F, a High MTBF antenna with automatic positioning by an internal GPS sensor. JRC's new JUE-410F Fleet 77 Inmarsat offers audio, telephone, fax and data transfer, high-speed packet communications (HSPC) at 64 Kbps, mobile packet data service (MPDS) and ISDN link 64 Kbps HSD communications. ____ The Public Warehousing Company and Danisat offer fleet tracking and security http://www.danisat.com Danisat, a producer of Thuraya-based fleet management systems, has announced it is providing the Public Warehousing Company (PWC) with solutions to assist their customers in tracking their fleets of vehicles moving across international borders. ____ L-3 Communications acquires Ross Engineering http://www.l-3com.com L-3 Communications reports it has acquired all assets of Ross Engineering to extend its market share for Universal Automatic Identification Systems (UAIS) and Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radios to the maritime industry. The acquisition also enables L-3 to extend its product portfolio into other new product areas within the maritime industry. ____ Norcontrol develops "any language" VTS http://www.norcontrol.no Norcontrol IT reports it will be providing its latest vessel traffic service (VTS) Operator Workstation software application in any language the customer requires. "There was no special magic to it, just a lot of hard work and international co-operation," says Rune Langøy an engineer on the translation project. ____ JRC launches Fleet terminal http://www.jrcamerica.com Japanese maritime electronics company Japan Radio Company (JRC) has launched its Inmarsat Fleet terminal. The antenna has an internal GPS sensor, to help it point continually at the satellite. Over 30 per cent of Inmarsat -A and -B installations on ships worldwide are manufactured by JRC, the company claims. JRC offers a remote diagnostic online maintenance function, enabling engineers and technicians to dial into the terminal from their shore office for repair and maintenance. ____ Satamatics opens in US http://www.satamatics.co.uk Satellite tracking service provider Satamatics has started service in the US, following a granting of US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorisation. It becomes the sole provider in the US of tracking services using Inmarsat D+. The company has opened a US office in Ocala, Florida. ____ *** MARITIME OPERATIONS *** Videotel warns shipowners over security training requirements http://www.videotel.co.uk Maritime training provider, Videotel Marine International, has advised shipowners to prepare themselves for the fundamental changes expected in ship security regulations. In the aftermath of terrorist attacks and increased piracy activities, "we expect that every vessel above 500 gt will be required to have a designated security officer to take responsibility for security issues and the vessel's formal security plan," says Len Holder, chairman of Videotel. "The officer will have to take on these responsibilities in addition to their normal duties. Shipowners will need to demonstrate that security responsibilities are being met and this will mean an extensive training program will have to be implemented across the world fleet." Currently, only passenger ships and nuclear vessels are required to have a trained ship security officer onboard. But the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is widely expected to announce in December 2002 that the role of ship security officer will become a mandatory requirement on all vessels. ____ Xantic and Faslink to provide online banking facilities via satellite http://www.xantic.net Xantic has announced it will contribute satellite airtime and business support to Faslink Communications, which is providing communication facilities to banks and financial institutions across the Philippine archipelago. The solutions offered are based on Global Area Network (GAN) terminals, with Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) capabilities. This will provide the missing link to banks located in rural areas, where the current communications infrastructure is neither economical nor reliable. This is not yet a service provided to the maritime community but represents a possible application for Inmarsat Fleet and / or the upcoming Inmarsat B-GAN solution. ____ *** CONTAINER SHIPPING *** Horizon Services Group extends logistics management software http://www.horizonservicesgroup.com Horizon Services Group, has launched the second phase of CaptainSuite solutions for transportation management. This includes an additional six software packages designed to solve management and operations issues specific to logistics and transportation companies. The new, web-based applications are for managing online content, sales and accounts management, route planning, and specifically for the management of automobile shipments. ____ Maersk Sealand expands Descartes relationship http://www.descartes.com Maersk Sealand, the largest shipping line in the world, has developed its relationship with software provider Descartes Systems Group, to use its systems for rate management and retrieval across the entire company operations. The software makes it easier to do rate calculations and improves rating accuracy. THANKYOU FOR READING DIGITAL SHIP NEWSLETTER Digital Ship, 213 Marsh Wall, London E14 9FJ Tel (+44 207) 510 0015 Fax (+44 207) 510 2344