Container shipping First 100 "smart and secure" containers shipped http://www.savi.com The first 100 "smart and secure" containers have been shipped across the Pacific Ocean from Hong Kong to Seattle under the Smart and Secure Tradelanes (SST) initiative with real time tracking and detection. STT is an initiative which combines the international network of container radio tag readers, put together by the US Department of Defence as a means of tracking US military cargo, together with electronic bolt seals made by Savi. If the container is forced open, the electronic seal sends a radio message, which is picked up by the nearby radio tag reader. The data is then made available to authorised persons over web based software. The containers have carried car parts, electronic equipment, toys and other consumer products. Other Companies involved in the transportation include Hutchison Port Holdings, Maersk Logistics and Mitusi OSK. "As the largest port operator in the world, we have a vested interest in making sure that ocean-going cargo operations worldwide are conducted in the safest and most efficient manner," says Hutchison. At the time of sealing the container, data is captured about the time, date, location, container ID, booking and contents. The seals were read by radio tag readers both in Hong Kong and Seattle, and data is captured every time the seal is read. The container is finally unlocked using an encrypted code. Horizon develops software for submitting US Customs manifests http://www.horizonservicesgroup.com Horizon Services Group, the IT subsidiary of CSX Lines, has completed a system for submitting US Customs data in compliance with the 24 hour filing rule. A web based data interface has been integrated into Horizon's existing AMS system. Horizon claims to be the first third-party service provider certified by U.S. Customs to meet the new criteria. INTTRA partners with freight forwarder Transaxiom http://www.inttra.com Ocean freight portal INTTRA has tied up with Transaxiom, a producer of freight forwarder IT systems. Through the tie up, Transaxiom's axsFreight application is integrated into INTTRA's INTTRA-LINK system. This enables Transaxiom customers to do business with INTTRA. "In our opinion INTTRA will strengthen its position in the global ocean carrier market and extend its business to cover other valuable processes within the logistics chain," says Transaxiom. HIT launches ship planning system http://www.hit.com.hk/ Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT) has launched a new container ship planning system, Guider. The system was designed to enable HIT to react quickly to changes as the vessel is being loaded. It was developed by the terminal operations department, operations development department and information services, and runs on a PC, replacing an old mainframe system. The tool improves information flow between HIT and shipping liens, because the system can provide electronic reports in different formats. It can handle vessels of over 10,000 TEU in size. Maritime operations CSX Lines uses Ulysses Task Assistant software http://www.ulysses-systems.com US flag shipping line CSX Lines has decided to deploy the Ulysses Systems Task Assistant Quality and Safety package on all of its 17 vessels in land based offices. The deployment follows a review of all safety management software on the market, Ulysses says, and CSX Lines found the Task Assistant to be most effective and provide the most significant cost and time savings. "We chose Task Assistant primarily because of its potential to reduce confusion and help focus our crews on the critical, task-specific instructions contained in our Safety Management System," says CSX Lines. "They can quickly reference the material they need for each specific task without having to wade through all the procedures and policies that are in place." CSX Lines currently publish their SMS in pdf format. Although this provides an easy to use front-end, it is an extremely labour intensive process to set up all the links that need to be in each document connecting them to other ones. The Task Assistant automates this process allowing manuals to be easily written, updated and controlled. Mike Marco joins OceanConnect http://www.oceanconnect.com Mike Marco, who writes a daily column for bunker e-procurement service OceanConnect (and is also former president and vice chairman of McQuilling Brokerage Partners) has joined OceanConnect as senior strategic advisor. Fleet Management wins website design awards www.fleetship.com Fleet Management, the shipping company subsidiary of Noble Group of Hon Kong, has received a Gold iNOVA website design award for its web based monitoring system, which provides information about vessels, including position and engine data, over the web to shipowners. "What more would managers and ship owners want? This site has everything for them," one of the judges is reported to have noted. BIMCO produces CD-ROM with shipboard information http://www.bimco.dk The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) has launched an updated version of its CD-ROM for shipboard use. The CD-ROM can be used to provide shipboard staff with access to the same information and databases available on shore. This includes details of the various IMO conventions to which each flag state is a signatory to, and information about international, regional and national regulations about discharge of ballast water and sewage within international waters. Information about ship security, with respect to piracy and armed robbery, drug smuggling and stowaways, is available. BIMCO's cargo database is also enclosed, which provides information about the IMO's "code of safe practise for solid bulk cargoes". The CD-ROM is priced at USD 90 each with bulk discounts. Norcontrol IT launches VTS training e-Learning tool http://www.norcontrolit.com Vessel traffic system manufacturer Norcontrol IT has launched an e-learning system for training vessel traffic service operators and providing refresher training. The course is web based, or available on CD-ROM, and designed for training operators of the Norcontrol vessel traffic system operator workstation. Many vessel traffic system companies buy a whole new workstation for training purposes; this development makes that unnecessary. The course simulates what a VTS operator will see and do when using the workstation. Trainees can test their skills in a scored evaluation of each exercise. Shipboard electronics Sperry Marine to supply navigation systems for Brazilian vessels http://www.northropgrumman.com Sperry Marine has won orders to supply navigation electronics for four new marine vessels in Brazil. It will supply a complete suite of bridge electronics for three 2,500 gt vessels being built at Fels Setal shipyard in Rio de Janeiro, including radar, gyrocompass, autopilot, speed log, echo sounder, anemometer and DGPS. It will also supply an integrated bridge system for a new tugboat. NMEA introduces Level B certification http://www.nmea.org The US National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has introduced a Level B certification for easier and potentially reduced cost implementation of the NMEA 2000 interface. The new certification level allows manufacturers to design NMEA 2000 into new or existing products with minimal investment in engineering time or product components due to the reduced requirement for large amounts of memory capacity. Xenex launches Windows radar/electronic chart system http://www.xenex.com Vancouver based electronic chart software company Xenex has launched a Windows based radar/electronic charting system called WinHorizon. The software combines radar plotting (ARPA) of up to 30 targets, with raster and vector electronic chart support and navigation features, including route planning and monitoring. Ship shore communications Weather Routing : IMO stipulates minimum standard http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id=6562/1063.pdf The International Maritime Organisation has issued a circular, MSC/Circ.1063, aimed at establishing minimum standards for weather routing services onboard ship. The initiative follows the wreck of the Derbyshire in 1980 in a typhoon, despite the ship having been provided with weather routing advice. The IMO's concern is that shipping companies can take advantage of weather routing services to make suggestions to masters that they take routes which are more dangerous, but quicker. The circular notes that ship masters retain the right to deviate from advice which "might conflict with his/her professional judgement." IMO has stipulated minimum standards for weather routing services, including providing the first information prior to the vessel sailing from the first port of departure, and providing information about the data's source, accuracy and likelihood of change. Significant swell height and direction should be included. Advice should take into consideration the speed and handling characteristics of the ship. Clear instructions should be given to master as to communication channels with the weather routing service. Advice should be provided at regular intervals, and varied according to the rate of change of conditions. Masters should be able to make requests for advice. The system should be interactive; submissions of advice from the weather routing service should require a response from the master, at minimum providing the ship's position, course and speed. The master should also be encouraged to provide information about weather conditions at the ship's location. Advice should take into consideration: providing the vessel with sufficient sea room to make safe passage; all known navigational hazards and adverse weather conditions; the need for the ship to operate in accordance with constraints imposed in the interest of environmental protection; the need for essential maintenance that affects the ship's safe operation; and the need for the ship to operate within constraints resulting from compliance with the International Load Line Convention. TEAMtalk Satellite to tell seafarers about Super Bowl http://www.teamtalksatellite.com Maritime news and information service TEAMtalk Satellite is providing special coverage of the Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26 in San Diego. It will provide daily 2 page bulletins commencing on January 20 with match reports, game stats and team news. From Jan 21 coverage will build up with previews, team and player news, stats and records, facts and figures and gossip.