The International Maritime Organisation Facilitation Committee has published a circular (FAL.5 Circ. 19, March 2003) that e-mail addresses of various authorities in ports should be published to make it easier for electronic information exchange between shipmasters and the authorities.

For example, IMO says, the shipmasters could provide crew and passenger lists electronically to authorities in advance of the vessel's arrival, to help with security measures.

IMO suggests that e-mail addresses of port authorities could be distributed to shipping companies via the IMO.

IMO agreed that the e-mail addresses should be for specific departments of government agencies in ports, not individual employees, and member governments should also indicate what format they like the data to be in (eg e-mail attachment, submission through online form, submission by EDI. Member governments are requested to provide the information by June 2003.

NSSL to distribute EMS Technologies Fleet 55 terminal

http://www.emssatcom.com

Satellite services provider NSSL has agreed to distribute the EMS Satcom Fleet 55 terminal, along with Nera's Fleet 55 terminal.

Marlink to provide satcoms for Radisson Diamond

http://www.marlink.com

Marlink, the satellite communications distributino subsidiary of Telenor, has signed a 3 year agreement with Radisson Seven Seas Cruises to provide satellite communications on the Radisson Diamond.

Marlink already provides ship shore communications to Navigator, Mariner and new build Voyager in the Radisson fleet.

It will offer its 2 mbps VSAT solution.

MariTEL closes voice network

http://www.Maritelusa.com

US maritime radio voice communications network MariTEL is closing its voice service due to rising costs and declining revenues. The company has lost coastal maritime communications traffic to cellular and satellite phones. It will now look at developing VHF maritime data radio communications with the 5400 kHz VHF spectrum it has rights to.

Telesis software speeds up Lotus notes over satcoms

http://www.telesis.ca

Ship shore communications optimisation company Telesis North has released Overdrive, a tool to speed up Lotus 6 and Domino 6 data sent over satellite, thus reducing the communications cost by up to 3 times.

Subsea 7 uses Nowcasting‘s' weather forcast shipboard data

www.nowcasting.ie

Aberdenn offshore shipping company Subsea 7 has signed a contract with Nowcasting for its shipboard weather information service.

"Nowcasting Pro is the best product we have seen enabling us to improve our weather sensitive decision making," says Subsea 7.

Subsea 7 Ltd will equip the bridge and operations rooms with the computer based weather system, which will graphically display the data, which is updated every six hours and is accessible 24 per day.

Digital Ship conferences

More exhibitors and delegates for Digital Ship Athens

http://www.thedigitalship.com/athens.htm

Exhibitors and delegates are booking for Digital Ship Athens, Digital Ship’s 2 day conference and exhibition in the Metropolitan Hotel, Athens, May 21-22, 2003..

Latest delegates: IT manager from NOL Shipmanagement (Singapore), customer support manager with Globe Wireless Hellas, ICT manager, DNV East Meditteranean and Black Sea –

The conference room is now approaching capacity – if you are considering attending the conference, please get your booking into us shortly, e-mail to soldo@thedigitalship.com

Latest exhibitors: Saab TransponderTech, Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems

Latest speaker information: Stephen Evans, head of customer support, Stratos, will be talking about making financial transactions over a satcom link (eg for seafarer banking), also developments with Inmarsat Fleet MPDS and Fleet 55

Digital Ship European container shipping security conference

Plans are under way for a second Digital Ship container security conference in Hamburg or Rotterdam, late September or early October this year, organised by container shipping industry veteran Tim Power (career includes senior positions with P&O Nedlloyd and International Asset Systems).

In a two day conference delegates will be able to separate the fact from the fiction in container shipping security, what what the risks are, what is likely to be legislated, what will genuinely be required, and what you need to know to carry it out, how much it will cost and who will pay. Contact Tim Power on tjpower@attglobal.net

DIGITAL SHIP 2003 plans now underway

Plans are now underway for Digital Ship 2003, our three day conference about maritime information technology and security in London in November.

Programs currently on the drawing board are relationships with charterers and using IT to improve them; safety and efficiency in ship navigation; technologies in ship security; managing effective maritime training programs; ship shore communications and software technologies; improvements to the type approval process.

If you think a presentation from your company would be appealing to delegates, send your proposal to the Digital Ship team for consideration

Software and the web

Brostrom to use ShipNet's vessel reporting systém and maritime workstation

http://www.shipnet.no

Broström AB has entered into agreement with ShipNet AS for the ShipNet Vessel Reporting System and Maritime Workstation.

Broström AB and its affiliated companies including Broström SAS in Paris and Iver Ships AS in Sandefjord, will use the slution on board all the Group's vessels for the daily reporting to the ShipNet Operational System as well as complete management and control of all documents and forms.

The ShipNet Vessel Reporting System is an on-board system for the reporting of daily noon positions and arrival/departure reports for the continuous updating of the ShipNet Operational System including a position book and a post-fixture voyage account.

ShipNet Maritime Workstation is a forms/document management and control system. The Group will utilise this system to mange and control all reporting from/to the vessels in a structured and cost efficient way.

BalticExchange.com to focus on freight information

http://www.balticexchange.com

The Baltic Exchange has formally announced that future development of its BalticExchange.com electronic platform will just be geared around providing freight market related data. It will not be developing further the vessels and cargoes matching / data management service.

The decision stems from a detailed review of its business strategy undertaken by the board earlier this year, which concluded that the Exchange should focus on providing certain core services to its members.

The provision of market information, including the daily fixture list, dry and wet indices and route rates - and the development of new indices and routes - publication of freight futures settlement prices and the development of mark-to-market pricing for derivatives are among features on which the Exchange will concentrate using the e-platform.

Membership costs are now linked directly to access and use of the Exchange's freight market information. Strict copyright and distribution restrictions will be applied.

There are two membership categories. The basic one is for those who do not want access to freight market information and this will be cheaper than the existing fees. The second will offer access to the Baltic indices and related freight market information. For example, some member companies may choose to use the information within the company only; others may choose the right to communicate freight market information to their clients.

OceanConnect hires MOBCO bunker broker team

http://www.oceanconnect.com

Online bunkers trading service OceanConnect has hired four buinker brokers Bill Wakeling, Robin Sargeant, John Bright and Jackie Gooby.

Bill Wakeling is managing director and joint founder of MOBCO and a bunker broker and trader since 1974. Rob Sargeant is a director and joint founder of MOBCO. Jackie Gooby has been a bunker trader at since 1992. John Bright was a bunker broker at MOBCO since 1994.

Indian Register of Shipping launches onboard software tool

http://www.Irclass.org

The Indian Register of Shipping is launching a shipboard software tool called "Ship_Mate".

The software is customised for each vessel, with data about ship geometry, capacity plans, loading manual, structure, rule requirements. There is software to evaluate different loadings, study effects of accidental flooding and groundings, assess hull strength and structure, manage ballast water exchange, and manage machinery maintenance.

Hamworthy KSE signs up to ShipServ

Www.shipserv.com

Maritime supplier Hamworthy KSE has signed up to the ShipServ ship supply management web portal. Spares for Hamworthy's waste treatment and Dolphin pump products can now be purchased through ShipServ.

Autoship to provide loading software to Algoma vessel in Shanghai

http://www.autoship.com

Autoship Systems Corporation and its partner CS Marine Technology has sold loading software for an Oil Products and Chemical tanker being built in Jiang Nan Shipyard, Shanghai, for Algoma Central Marine of St Catherines, Canada.

CSM will supply the associated hardware, installation and training.

BIMCO bulk cargo handling information free online

http://www.bimco.dk

Shipowner's association BIMCO has launched a solid cargo database free on its website, providing guidance about handling different dry bulk cargoes.

The database covers safe practices and appropriate precautions to be taken for hold cleaning, loading, trimming, carriage and discharge.

Included in the Cargo Database are BIMCO Reporting Forms which collect data on new or unusual cargo properties and the appropriate cargo handling procedures required such as cleaning, undue delays, inspection, loading, carriage instructions, unloading and cleaning, etc. as experienced by the ship and her crew.

Shipboard electronics

DNV type approves Transas Navi Sailor 3000 ECDIS

http://www.transas.com

Transas has received type approval from DNV for its Navi Sailor 3000 electronic charts display and information systém, which integrates chart, weather, tidal, UAIS and radar information on the same screen.

The Navi Sailor 3000 can handle route planning, radar overlay and playback, UAIS transponder interface.

QinetiQ approves Sperry radars for AIS data display

http://www.northropgrumman.com

Sperry Marine's Decca BridgeMaster E marine radars have been type approved by QinetiQ for display for Automatic Identification System (AIS) data.

"The BridgeMaster E is one of the first marine radars to be type accepted for display of AIS data," said John Robinson, who heads Sperry Marine's radar business group.

"The ability to display AIS data on the radar screen significantly enhances situational awareness for the navigator by providing real-time information on target ships' position movements and identity,"

The navigator can view additional information about a selected AIS target in a separate target tote window. Any displayed AIS targets infringing the defined CPA/TCPA limits or entering a guard zone will raise an alarm to alert the watchkeeper.

The AIS function on the BridgeMaster E radar can be switched off at any time, reverting to the standard radar presentation.

The BridgeMaster E radar is that it interfaces with the ship's AIS transponder via a simple IEC61162-2 serial cable link without the need for any additional pre-processor unit.

Bulk carriers need water ingress alarms

www.martek-marine.com

Under SOLAS regulation XII/12, adopted in December 2002, bulk carriers must have water integraess alarms fitted "not later than the date of the first annual, intermediate or renewal survey of the ship to be carried out after 1 July 2004."

Following 3 months of discussion between committee members with the input of selected equipment manufacturers, a performance standard was approved at DE46, which finished on 19 March 2003.

Martek Marine, a manufacturer of the systems, suggests fitting them in the scheulded drydocking, if it falls before the first survey after July 1 2004, when they are much easier to fit.

Offshore Systems gets CDN $1.4m business from Canada and Denmark navies

http://www.osl.com

Vancouver electronic chart company Offshore Systems has won new business for CDN $1.4m to supply services, equipment and upgrades for the electronic chart navigation systems both navies are using.

Northrup Grumman to supply bridges for ro-ro ships in China

http://www.northrupgrumman.com

Northrup Grumman Corporation has received an order from Jinling Shipyard, Nanjing, to supply navigation and communication systems for a ro-ro vessel being built for Louis-Dreyfus (France) and Leif Hoegh (Norway).

The system will include ECDIS, radar, gyrocompass, autopilot, speed log, DGPS, echosounder and GMDSS, with flat panel displays. The initial order is for one new ship, with options for three more.

Denbridge Digital supplies portable VTS display in Port of Tyne

http://www.denbridgedigital.com

Maritime VTS company Denbridge Digital is going to supply a portable VTS display to be fitted onboard floating oil production, storage and offloading platform Bonga, which is being towed from South Korea to the Port of Tyne, UK, for the installation of its topsides.

The transit of the vessel up the Tyne required specific wind, tide and sea state conditions to proceed. It was a complex task for Port of Tyne Harbour Master Capt Gary Wilson to predict possible windows of opportunity. Even with perfect wind, tide and wave conditions the team had to calculate for the sudden occurrence of reduced visibility.

Denbridge Digital's placed a Portable Radar Display aboard the Bonga, enabling the pilot to "see in reduced visibility" should the need arise. The radar data from the port systém was compressed and then broadcast to the ship by VHF radio.

JRC launches voyage data recorder model

www.jrcamerica.com

Maritime electronics c0ompany JRC has launched a new voyage data recorder model JCY-1000. The first installation was on the cruise ship Pacific Venus and is available for vessels seeking to adhere with IMO deadlines for compliance.

NMEA introduces Marine Electronics Installer Program

http://www.nmea.org

The US National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has launched a "marine electronics installer" program. Electricians with a MEI certificate must have working knowledge of NMEA's Installation Standard, which clarifies and defines competent installation practices.

Maritime operations and security

Richart Hext runs V Ships Marine Services Divison

http://www.vships.com

Shipmanagers V Ships have appointed ex- LevelSeas CEO Richard Hext as head of its marine services division.

The move follows a restructuring of V Ships into two operating divisions; Ship Management and Marine Services.

The newly formed Marine Services Division will oversee all activities of the Group other than ship management, including commercial management, ship agency, consulting, travel, insurance, IT and various other support activities.

Roberto Giorgi continues to head up the Ship Management Division, overseeing all cargo and leisure ship management activities within the group.

Before LevelSeas, Mr. Hext worked for the Swire Group from 1978-2000. He was Managing Director of P&O Swire Containers from 1991-1995, based in Sydney, and Managing Director of China Navigation Company from 1996-2000, based in Hong Kong. Mr. Hext holds an M.A. degree in History and Economics from Worcester College, Oxford.

Developments at HITT

http://www.hitt.nl

A VTS system for the port of Den Helder, Netherlands, has been delivered. The harbour management system for Hawaii, USA has been put into operation. The projects,for vessel traffic management systems for Hong Kong en Xiamen in China and Tallinn in Estonia are running on schedule.

Work for the expansion of the system for the Scheldt River, between Belgium and the Netherlands and a new harbour management system for Dublin, Ireland have started.

Vessel traffic systems manufacturer HITT reports that it lost 0.3m Euros in the first quarter of this year.

Barber offers shipboard risk assessments and training

http://www.barbership.com

Barber Shipmanagement is ofering services training seafarers to be security managers (through Indian Maritime Training Centre) and also ship security assessments and practical advice for purchasing any necessary shipboard security equipmet and building up a ship security plan.

Seagull launches ship security officer training

http://www.seagull.no

Maritime training company Seagull has launched a training package for the shipboard security officer, consisting of 3 courses on CDs and one in a classroom.

A number of 2 day courses have been set up in Seagull's offices in Horten, Norway.

The 3 CD courses cover using AIS, shipboard security awareness and the duties of a ship security officer.

Liberian registry's inspectors are ISPS auditors

http://www.liscr.com

The Liberian Ship Registry is training its inspectors to perform verification audits for shipowners, operators and managers under the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS).

It is also approving "specific" members of the International Association of Classification Societieis" as competent to carry out ISPS audits for Liberian registered vessels.

50 Liberian inspectors are being trained over the next 3 months by a specialist international security specialist to do ISPS surveys. DNV, Germanischer Lloyd and ABS are named recognised security organisations.

Container shipping

Ports of Rotterdam, Felixstowe and Antwerp equipped with Savi readers

http://www.savi.com

Terminals in the ports of Rotterdam, Felixstowe and Antwerp have been equipped with readers for Savi Technology's tags, as well as the underlying software, under the "Smart and Secure Tradelanes" initiative.

Rotterdam has 27 cranes equipped with tag readers, on an ECT terminal. In Felixstowe, 18 cranes are equipped. In Antwerp, the Hessen-Noord Natie terminal has tag readers fitted.

Meanwhile port and terminal operator SSA Marine (previously Stevedore Services of America), has announced that it will participate in Savi's Smart and Secure Tradelanes initiative, putting in radio tag readers in its terminal in Seattle, Long Beach and Manzanillo Terminal (Panama Canal).

China Merchants Holdings has agreed to install tag readers at the Port of Shenzhen, China, and Hutchison Port Holdings will put in tag readers and underlying software at the Port of Yantian, western Shenzhen.

Manzanillo Terminal uses Tideworks Technology

http://www.tideworkstechnology.com

Manzanillo Terminal on the Pacific Coast of Mexico has selected the Tideworks technology software Mainsail and Spinnaker, to replace its Navis software.

"OPM needed a proven partner that could not only deploy terminal technology, but also focus on offering IT consulting and hands-on support," said Gene Smith, General Manager at OPM.

"We knew that a customer-focused relationship would be key in addressing our business goals of improving operations while reducing costs. That's exactly what Tideworks provides."

SMDG holds 41st meeting in Italy

http://www.smdg.org

The Shipplanning Message Development Group (SMDG), a group to create a common language for EDI transmittion between shipping lines, container terminals and other transport partners, held its 41st meeting in April this year in Savona Vado, Italy and there were 52 participaants.

There was discussion about development of Ebxml standards, which allow EDI-type messages to be transferred much more cheaply over the internet.

Discussions were held about how to echange stowage data, ship data, invoice message, vessel schedule message.

Frans Jol, managing director of Salerno Container Terminal in Salerno (part of Gallozzi Group), Italy was appointed chairman of the public relations committee, assisted by Karlijn Bos, from Esowere Srl Salerno, Italy.

Next meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur on October 14/15/16 2003 and thereafter in Trieste / Koper in April 2004.

GTS appoints Meghan Barter product manager

http://www.gts-llc.com

Global Transportation Solutions, the marketing organisation built as a joint venture between Eurogate and Maersk Data, has appointeed Meghan Barter as product manager and Thomas Butler, VP sales and marketing.

Mr Butler was previously a vice president at Inchcape Shipping, where he was involved in desiginging an object orientated liner shipping software systém, as well as president of sales with shipping line ANZDL.

Meghan Barter joins GTS following 3 years of managing quality assurance testing and product support for terminal management systems at Americas Systems LLC.

New website for MOL

www.molpower.com

Shipping line MOL has launched a new website at molpower.com, intended to help facilitate the ordering process and improve shipment visibility.

Digital Ship newsletter is published this week from Banov, Czech Republic

Digital Ship Ltd, 213 Marsh Wall, London E14 9FJ, UK

http://www.thedigitalship.com tel (+44 207) 510 4935