HEADLINE NEWS * IMO addresses maritime security * Thrane and Thrane discontinues Nera acquisition * France Telecom acquires Inmarsat activities of DeTeSat ELECTRONICS * nView launches virtual bridge * Offshore Systems wins 2nd largest order * Transas installs 360-degree simulator * STN Atlas launches new AIS system * Kelvin Hughes produces free SOLAS pocket guide * South Korean orders for STN Atlas * Broadgate appoints Radio Holland Marine as distributor SHIP-SHORE COMMUNICATIONS * Xantic and GMA sign content delivery agreement * Alatto Technologies sends weather data to mobile phones * Guide to websites for use at sea * Xantic connects Inmarsat -C with mobile phones * Rydex appoints Japanese agent SOFTWARE * Ulysses opens Singapore office * HydroComp enhances propeller modelling tool * Seamanship training software on 150 ships * Deals for Marine Software E-BUSINESS * Chapter 11 for Enron * CargoSmart allows users to control coverage * eModal in Charleston and Jacksonville * GloMaP offers booking services * CMA CGM uses Celarix * TT Club appoints e-commerce director * Updates on Castalia Partners website * K-Line plans bunker ordering system * AMOT Controls association with Tribon Solutions * MarineProvider wins Marine Equipment News award ********* BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE NEW INMARSAT FLEET HAMBURG, JANUARY 30, 2002 ********* What is Inmarsat Fleet? How can Inmarsat Fleet save you money? How can Inmarsat Fleet earn you money? ENGINE AND VESSEL TROUBLESHOOTING ON SHORE - MANAGING SHIP SUPPLIES - LINKING A VESSEL TO CORPORATE NETWORK - TRAINING SEAFARERS ONBOARD WITH REMOTE INSTRUCTORS - PROVIDING REMOTE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE - RECEIVING ELECTRONIC CHART UPDATES - REMOTE ENGINE MONITORING - REMOTE FUEL MONITORING A Digital Ship conference sponsored by Inmarsat Find out more on http://www.thedigitalship.com/Inmfleetconf.asp Delegate fee Euro 400 + VAT (£250) To book contact Rebecca Clarkson tel (+44 207) 538 1124, fax (+44 207) 510 2344, clarkson@thedigitalship.com ASSOCIATED HALF DAY SEMINAR ABOUT BUILDING APPLICATIONS FOR INMARSAT FLEET, see website for details ****** SUCCESS IN E-BUSINESS FOR SHIPPING London, February 2002 ****** FINDING A CARGO - SHIP SUPPLY MANAGEMENT - BUNKERS - HELPING CUSTOMERS MANAGE THEIR CARGO - ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION - INSURANCE - CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES - SHIP AGENTS - LUBRICANTS * A one day review of the most exciting maritime e-business ventures * contact jeffery@thedigitalship.com if you have anything interesting to say * shipping companies willing to talk about their experiences especially welcome ******* SATELLITE MONITORING OF ENGINES AND CARGO Copenhagen, March 2002 ******* TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS ON SHORE - REMOTE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF ENGINES - REMOTE AUTOMATION - REFRIGERATED CARGO MONITORING - EUROPEAN UNION RESEARCH - SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND HARDWARE - INMARSAT FLEET AND D+ - ORBCOMM - IRIDIUM contact jeffery@thedigitalship.com if you would like to get involved ****** HEADLINE NEWS ****** IMO addresses maritime security http://www.imo.org The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has announced its plans to address the maritime security issue. It follows a high interest in maritime security at the IMO's 22nd assembly, in London November 19-30. During the assembly, the delegation of the United States identified a number of specific areas that it felt should be considered, including automatic identification systems on ships; security plans on ships, port facilities and off-shore terminals; identification, verification and background security checks for seafarers; and ensuring a secure "chain of custody" for containers from their port of origin to their destination. It will hold a maritime security conference in December 2002, adopting new regulations on ship and port security intended to "avert shipping from becoming a target of international terrorism." This conference will meet alongside the scheduled session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). An intersessional working group will meet 11-15 February next year. A resolution calls for a review of existing legal and technical measures to prevent and suppress terrorist acts against ships at sea and in port, and improve security onboard and ashore. The assembly also agreed a boost of £1.5m to the organisation's technical co-operation program, to "help developing countries address maritime security issues." ------ Thrane and Thrane discontinues Nera acquisition http://www.tt.dk Thrane and Thrane has decided not to go ahead with its planned acquisition of Nera SatCom AS. No reason has been given. Thrane comments that for the 6 months ending October 31, 2001, it expects a turnover of DKK 510-520m ($61m-62m), with an operating profit of DKK 25-30 ($3-$3.6m). The company will now focus on extending its position as a leading developer and manufacturer of communications equipment for Inmarsat, including development of a Radio Access Network (RAN) and user terminals for a Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) running over Inmarsat's next generation satellite system. Nera has already stated that it is considering legal action against Thrane and Thrane. "Nera's perception is that this is regarded as a clear breach of agreement. We consider it to be very serious that Thrane & Thrane breach an agreement which both is signed and approved by the board of directors, and which expressly obliged them to work actively to give effect to the agreement," comments Nera CEO Bjorn Ove Skjeie. ----- France Telecom acquires Inmarsat activities of DeTeSat http://www.francetelecom-mobilesat.com Inmarsat land earth station operator (LESO) France Telecom has acquired the Inmarsat communications activities of fellow LESO DeTeSat, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. Agreement was originally reached between the two parties in July this year. DeTeSat's Inmarsat traffic will be routed via France Telecom's earth stations in Pleumer Bodou and Aussaguel. The activities are grouped under a new company in Germany, France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, directed by Jean-Louis Charléty, currently director of France Telecom's Mobile Services Unit. The new company will employ 30 former DeTeSat employees and be dedicated to marketing Inmarsat voice, data and image services and providing customer services. France Telecom has a 16 per cent market share among the LESOs for Inmarsat operations. The new company expects to offer lower prices, due to economies of scale resulting from the acquisition. It expects 20 per cent growth in turnover during 2002. France Telecom has already launched a new service, Navimail, which provides vessels with data files (e-mail attachments) giving information about wind, pressure, waves, sea surface temperature, security bulletins and satellite images. To use the service, users request a free CD-ROM from France Telecom with software they install on their shipboard computer. ****** ELECTRONICS ****** nView launches virtual bridge http://www.nview.com nView, which develops automation systems for recreational vessels, has launched a "Virtual Bridge" display system for its SiMON ship's monitoring systems. The "Virtual Bridge" comprises four large flat panel displays mounted end to end, running from the same computer. Information from the ship's operating systems is shown on the displays, which link together like one enormous screen. . Users can see radar display, electronic chart and SiMON information all together and move the information around the display with a mouse. The SiMON system collects data from systems all over the vessel and formats it for display on the ship's computers. ----- Offshore Systems wins 2nd largest order http://www.osl.com Vancouver-based electronic chart company Offshore Systems International has won its 2nd largest ever order, worth US$3.2m from the Canadian Department of National Defence, to supply its Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS) software onboard vessels. The software will also be installed on navy training systems and simulators in Canada. The contract follows a $3.3m deal from the Royal Danish Navy, received in August this year. OSI recently announced that BlueFire Research, a financial investment advisor registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given OSI an "attractive" buy rating for its stock for speculative investors, forecasting "significant revenue growth." ---- Transas installs 360-degree simulator http://www.transas.com Transas Pacific has completed installation of the first ever 360 degree seafarer training simulator in SE Asia. It was installed at International Development and Environmental Shipping School Maritime Centre in the Philippines. A completely new bridge layout has been built for the simulator. There are two simulator rooms which can be used as secondary bridges. It can be used to train ECDIS, GMDSS and tanker operations. ---- STN Atlas launches new AIS system http://www.stn-atlas.com German maritime electronics company STN Atlas has launched a new automatic identification system (AIS), called Debeg 3400. It works standalone or as part of an integrated bridge, transmitting data about ship operations and receiving data from other targets. The received data can then be integrated with radar data to create a display of all ships nearby. The system was trialled in Alaska onboard Holland America and P&O Princess cruiseliners. Orders have already been received for a series of new container vessels being built at Hanjin for Hapag-Lloyd. ---- Kelvin Hughes produces free SOLAS pocket guide http://www.kelvinhughes.com Maritime electronics company Kelvin Hughes has produced a free pocket guide to SOLAS (safety of life at sea) Chapter V, enabling vessels to easily see which navigational systems and services they need to carry after July 1 2002. The requirements depend on the vessel's weight and are different for new ships, passenger ships and tankers. The carriage requirements include charts, automatic identification systems and voyage data recorders. For a free copy contact Kevin Robertson on Kevin.Robertson@kelvinhughes.co.uk ---- South Korean orders for STN Atlas http://www.sam-electronics.de STN Atlas has received orders worth approx $10m from South Korean shipyards to supply its NACOS integrated bridge systems, including radar, ECDIS and sensors, taking the total number of orders to over 700. The commissions include a series of LNG carriers and oil tankers being built by Daewoo for Exmar, Golar LNG and Chandris for delivery in 2002-2003, as well as 12 container and crude oil newbuildings under construction by Hyundai Heavy Industries for delivery to Costamare Shipping, MSC and the National Iranian Tanker Co. Another order is for 4 50,000gt container vessels ordered by NSB from Hanjin's Busan yard. ---- Broadgate appoints Radio Holland Marine as distributor http://www.broadgate-uk.com UK maritime electronics company Broadgate has appointed Radio Holland Marine as distributor and servicer of its VER3000 voyage data recorder. The collaboration follows the recent appointment of SAIT Marine NV in a similar capacity. ******* SHIP-SHORE COMMUNICATIONS ******* Xantic and GMA sign content delivery agreement http://www.xantic.net Satellite communications company Xantic has signed a distribution deal with GMA of Belgium, which offers a remote medical assistance service to seafarers. Under the deal, Xantic will distribute GMA's medical assistance software package over Xantic's AmosConnect messaging system. The software package contains health details about every seafarer onboard; when an accident happens, the ship captain is taken through a series of questions on screen, asking about blood pressure, temperature and details of the illness. This information, along with digital photographs of any injury and other relevant information is e-mailed back to GMA's medical specialists who can provide advice 24 hours a day. The doctors can respond, again using AmosConnect, with a tentative diagnosis and assist in the planning of treatment, recording messages in a patient Electronic Medical Record. The software can also be used to manage the on-board medical chest as required under ISM regulations. ----- Alatto Technologies sends weather data to mobile phones http://www.alatto.com Alatto Technologies of Dublin, Ireland, has completed a trial project, gathering weather data from buoys in the Irish Sea and sending it out to mobile phones and portable digital assistants, where the data was displayed graphically. The project was part of a trial of 3G mobile services held on the Isle of Man, an island between Scotland and Ireland. Alatto is currently seeking a business partner to help take the project beyond a trial stage. ---- Free guide to internet access onboard vessels http://www.thedigitalship.com/webguide The Digital Ship guide to making best use out of internet access onboard vessels, produced in association with Inmarsat, is now live at http://www.thedigitalship.com/webguide. Information and recommendations are provided, including downloading cost, for sites which could prove useful to seafarers. This includes medical and ship safety information; ship supply management services; classification society data; weather and tide data; seafarer training services; seafarer community sites; port webcams, information and city guides; local, general, sport and shipping news and online banking. The guide is produced in association with the forthcoming Inmarsat Fleet service which is likely to make web browsing onboard vessels much more cost effective. The guide can both be perused online and downloaded as a pdf file free of charge. ---- Xantic connects Inmarsat -C with mobile phones http://www.xantic.net Ship-shore communications and software company Xantic has signed a contract with Norwegian company Unified Messaging System (UMS), to connect its Inmarsat-C ship-shore communications system with short messaging service (SMS) messages which can be delivered to mobile telephones. Xantic claims to handle 40 per cent of international Inmarsat-C traffic. The service works in both directions (SMS to Inmarsat -C and Inmarsat -C to SMS). Fees are charged per message, with no registration or subscription fees. The service is intended to enable easy communication between vessels an on shore agents, suppliers and families. ----- Rydex appoints Japanese agent http://www.rydex.com Ship-shore messaging and data communications company Rydex has appointed Nautical Training Systems as sales agent in Japan, taking responsibility for its new product suite, Rydex express and Rydex rmx2. Messaging company Xpedite also represents Rydex in Japan, operating a public messaging hub. It will continue to do so. ***** SOFTWARE ***** Ulysses opens Singapore office http://www.ulysses-systems.com Maritime software company Ulysses Systems has opened an office in Singapore. Ulysses was originally founded by Lyras Shipping, a shipping company, with many ex-seafarers among its staff. The ambition is to help seafarers spend less time fiddling with paperwork and software, and more time running the ships. The software is provided configured to what every individual seafarer actually does on their job, with their daily tasks. Instead of providing software in a series of different modules (eg planned maintenance, crew and payroll, inventory), the task assistant turns the idea on its head, providing all the functions each individual seafarer needs, according to their specific job functions (chief engineer, master, procurement officer and so on). Ulysses has worked together with specialist psychologists and artificial intelligence experts to build the system, taking into account how the mind works, how a job is processed and how learning occurs, rather than curriculum-based, drill-orientated methods used in today's work processes. Users can customise the software, but they normally find that it meets their needs straight out of the box, configured for the specific job functions of crew onboard, following its use with Lyras Shipping. The software can also be used to help ISM (International Safety Management) compliance, because it keeps records of every form, message, policy and procedure. This record can also be used as a corporate memory. ----- HydroComp enhances propeller modelling tool http://www.hydrocompinc.com Marine performance analysis software company HydroComp has launched new capabilities in its propeller modelling tool. The new version has software to define suction and pressure surfaces of different chord length, and a cupping "wizard" in its design builder. ----- Seamanship training software on 150 ships http://www.seamanship.com Seaman Ship (previously Todday Publications), a Scottish maritime training software company, reports that it currently has software onboard 150 vessels. The company recently launched two new products for Marine Engineer Officers: Chief Engineers Assistant, a training module for onboard engineers, covering monitoring fuel, water and lubricants, as well as voyage planning, maintenance and personnel management. It has also launched a module called "engineering examiner," for studying US Coast Guard engineer exams, the STCW officer of The Watch other exams. The business was originally founded in July 1999 in Glasgow, UK by Iain Macneil, a seafarer with 14 years experience at sea, who saw the need for up to date information for deck and engineering officers. The business currently has 10 staff, half working on developing products and the other half in sales. The keynote product is CORIFS (compendium of reference information for ships), a software tool intended to work onboard vessels. CORIFS includes a library of reference information and training materials. The reference information includes UK, US and other maritime regulations; guidance and information notices; codes of safe practise; information about hazardous chemicals, IMO documents, first aid information. The training section includes training for deck officers, engineers. There is also software for passage planning. ----- Deals for Marine Software http://www.marinesoftware.co.uk UK maritime software house Marine Software reports that it has supplied its planned maintenance system to Seabulk Offshore SA of Switzerland, to be installed on 7 vessels. Other new clients are Midocean Ltd, using the system on 2 vessels and Isle of Man Steam Packet, using the system on one vessel. The company has also completed a four day software training course for shipping company Reederei Nord Klaus E. Oldendorff in Limassol, Cyprus, introducing all of the company's technical staff to the maintenance system. ******* E-BUSINESS ******* Chapter 11 for Enron http://www.enron.com Energy trading organisation Enron, which trades shipping futures, has filed for Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) protection. There is likely to be a major effect on Enron's shipping futures trading business; shipping's exposure to Enron is estimated at $100m, including $8m to one counterparty and about ten debts of $5m each, said to be mainly through charters of LNG ships. `Many shipping companies will go bust because we can't fulfil our obligations,'' Enron shipping director Pierre Aury is quoted as saying to news agency Reuters, IMAREX, which offers a rival online futures trading system (trading with other counterparties, rather than Enron itself), is expecting to build its business after these events. "The collapse of Enron is a loss for shipping, but we can learn from and build upon the momentum they generated," says IMAREX. ---- CargoSmart allows users to control coverage http://www.cargosmart.com Online container management portal CargoSmart, backed by shipping line OOCL, has developed functionality to allow system administrators at importer and exporting companies to control what information users can see about shipments. Administrators can select each user's coverage by carrier, location, cargo type and traffic mode. The ambition is to ensure that information and notifications can be delivered quickly to the people who need to see it, without wasting the time of people who don't. It is also intended to help maintain information security. The system is already been used by Canadian forest products exporter Canfor, to improve the efficiency of is shipping logisitics processes. "Having current, relevant shipment milestone information automatically delivered to our groups will save us time and help us serve our customers better," says the company. ---- eModal in Charleston and Jacksonville http://www.emodal.com Port information service emodal.com is now providing information for the Port of Charleston and Jacksonville Port Authority. ---- GloMaP offers private and open platforms http:/www.glomap.com Hamburg-based online container shipment management service GloMaP has divided its service into open and private platforms. Carriage of small consignments of cargoes (up to 20 containers) are negotiated on the open platform; parties may deal with companies they know, or new partners; the platform acts as a sales channel. Larger consignments are negotiated over a private platform. The negotiation functionality is more complex, often including contracts covering a specific period of time, with only specific carriers being invited to participate. The tool is intended to help manage large contracts with permanent, familiar business partners. ---- CMA CGM uses Celarix http://www.celarix.com Shipping line CMA CGM has announced that it will be using Celarix software to manage its rates internally, rating bills of lading automatically from the service contracts. Celarix will perform all tariff and contract publishing activities. ---- TT Club appoints e-commerce director http://www.ttclub.com TT Club, a transport insurance mutual society operated by Thomas Miller in London, has appointed a director of e-commerce strategy, Louise Bradley, previously in the business development unit of Thomas Miller in London. Ms Bradley, a law graduate, will take responsibility for leading development and implementation of the TT Club's e-commerce tools, including identifying and evaluating new products and strategic alliances, and management, development and delivery of existing services. E-commerce services offered by TT Club are TTXpress.com (aimed at small and medium sized operators to obtain quotes for insurance online), ClaimsTrac, for accessing and managing claims and risk management information, and eClaims, a tool for members and their brokers to submit claims electronically. TT Club also established secure electronic documentation service bolero.net (working together with SWIFT). ---- Updates on Castalia Partners website http://www.castaliapartners.com Shipping financial consultancy Castalia Partners is providing new information on its website, including commentaries on competitive strategy for shipping companies, Enron Corporation, Russian Oil Production, tanker rates of return for newbuildings, natural gas storage levels and dry cargo market commentary. ---- K-Line plans bunker ordering system http://www.k-line.com Japanese shipping line K-Line has announced plans to develop its own online bunker ordering system. The system will be developed by K-Line's IT subsidiary KIS Corporation. The ambition is to improve efficiency of bunker purchasing and share associated information, from request for bunkering to account settlement. The system will work over K-Line's intranet and website. K-Line has decided to strengthen its IT support by merging its 40 per cent owned IT subsidiary KIS Corporation with another IT company called TOPS Software, to create a new organsation called "K" Line Systems, effective Jan 1, 2002. This new company, with about 100 IT staff members, will gradually take over all IT activities, including support, of the shipping line. ---- AMOT Controls association with Tribon Solutions http://www.amot.com AMOT Controls, which manufactures control systems and safety equipment for vessels, has announced an association with Tribon Solutions, which has developed an online database for parts associated with shipbuilding. Under the agreement, AMOT Controls will provide its part information through the Tribon system. ---- MarineProvider wins Marine Equipment News award http://www.marineprovider.com E-procurement company MarineProvider has won a Marine Equipment News award for excellence and innovation in marine equipment supply. by Yana Lenzner and Karl Jeffery lenzner@thedigitalship.com / jeffery@thedigitalship.com thankyou for reading the Digital Ship newsletter published by Digital Ship Ltd, 213 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9FJ, UK Tel (+44 207) 510 2315