Thar she blows!

Thermal imagery provides 24/7 edge-AI and real‑time expert verification to address a leading cause of death for large whales.

WhaleSpotter is the latest collaborator in the Thermal by FLIR program, supporting efforts to prevent fatal whale strikes through AI‑powered thermal infrared detection. The WhaleSpotter solution combines Teledyne FLIR OEM’s Boson+ thermal camera module with WhaleSpotter’s proprietary AI and real‑time expert verification to address a leading cause of death for large whales.

Pic: Whalespotter

"WhaleSpotter’s solution embodies our mission to enable intelligent thermal with edge-based AI that addresses critical, global challenges," said Paul Clayton, president, Teledyne FLIR OEM. "The scalable, plug-and-play solution protects both the environment and the global supply chain."

The WhaleSpotter system leverages thermal imaging to reliably detect marine mammals in real time, day or night, and through light fog. The solution alerts crews to whales surfacing at distances of up to seven kilometers (four nautical miles), comparable as humans with binoculars during daylight. This provides ships and offshore operators more time and distance to adjust course or speed.

"WhaleSpotter was born from more than ten years of research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to solve the 'unseen whale' problem," said Dr. Daniel Zitterbart, co-founder and chief scientist of WhaleSpotter. "By pairing Teledyne FLIR OEM’s thermal imaging with our AI and global network of expert marine specialists, we deliver 99 percent efficacy. This ensures captains have the confidence to act without the 'alert fatigue' caused by false positives."

Boson+ Camera

Proven global scale. WhaleSpotter is a direct spinoff of Dr. Zitterbart’s work at WHOI, bringing laboratory-grade science to commercial fleets and offshore energy platforms worldwide. Following a decade of field testing, WhaleSpotter has achieved more than 250,000 verified detections. With nearly 100 systems active at more than 50 global sites today, the technology is in service with customers around the world, including Matson, a leading U.S. cargo carrier in the Pacific.

In an announcement from November 2025, Matt Cox, Chairman and CEO, Matson, said, “The technology is remarkable, and now refined to meet our zero-false alert requirements. Our crews are enthusiastic about this new tool and are already using it to help protect whales."

Beyond the tragic loss of life, whale strikes carry massive economic consequences. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) values a single great whale at more than two million dollars due to its role in carbon sequestration, fishery enhancement, and ecotourism. For critically endangered species like the North Atlantic Right Whale—of which only about 70 reproductively active females remain—a single strike can impact the future of the entire population.

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@flir @mepaxIntPR #Whalespotter #Marine #Environment

Seagrass restoration.

Mouser Electronics has announced its latest initiative supporting British seagrass conservation. In a project led by marine conservation experts, components supplied by Mouser have enabled the development of an innovative underwater harvester prototype that aims to accelerate seagrass seed collection, making large-scale restoration faster, safer, and more precise.

Seagrass meadows are among the most valuable coastal ecosystems on Earth. They stabilise sediments and reduce wave energy, protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges, while improving water quality by filtering pollutants and excess nutrients. These underwater biomes also serve as biodiversity hotspots, providing habitat and nursery grounds for fish, invertebrates, and endangered species that underpin global food security and local fisheries.

Beyond their immediate ecological benefits, seagrass meadows act as a powerful carbon sink, storing carbon up to 35 times more efficiently than tropical rainforests and accounting for around 10% of the ocean’s carbon, despite covering only 0.2% of the seabed[1]. However, researchers have found that at least 44% of the UK’s seagrass has been lost since 1936, with up to 92% likely to have vanished over longer time spans[2] – underscoring the urgency of conservation and restoration.

About the project.
One of the greatest challenges in seagrass restoration is that manual seed collection is slow and costly. This project brings together engineers Sam Rogers and Edwin Towler from Tandem Ventures, with Mouser Electronics, to develop a prototype for Project Seagrass, a global marine conservation organisation. This pioneering system aims to collect seeds up to 100 times faster than manual methods, opening the door for larger-scale seagrass restoration worldwide.

Mouser supplied the project with a wide range of components, including the Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) EVAL-ADXL362 Evaluation Board, Espressif Systems ESP32-S3-WROOM-1/1U Wireless Module, STMicroelectronics LSM6DSOTR 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), and connectors from JST and Hirose Electronics. The performance of these components ensures that the project’s requirements for high-precision sensing, data processing, and reliable operation in challenging underwater environments are fulfilled, helping to advance seagrass conservation efforts.

“We are very proud to be part of this endeavour, supporting the restoration of ‘underwater rainforest’ environments. It’s exciting to see technology helping conservation in such a tangible way,” comments Mark Patrick, Director of Technical Content, Mouser Electronics. “Mouser strives to demonstrate how innovation can accelerate ecological restoration without compromising scientific integrity or operational safety.”

This initiative is an example of Mouser’s focus on corporate social responsibility and follows on from Mouser’s previous sustainability projects, including the whale research and conservation program and the planting of thousands of trees across the United States and Europe, one for every ADI order in 2023.

How engineers built a Seagrass Harvester to restore our oceans.

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@MouserElecEU @Publitek #Marine #Research

Accelerating innovation by acquisition.

Kongsberg Discovery's capabilities for the detection and interpretation of complex underwater environments is being strengthened by expanding their product portfolio with electromagnetic sensors.

Kongsberg Discovery has reached an agreement with Argeo’s bankruptcy estate to purchase three core technologies: The Argeo Whisper, Argeo Listen and Argeo Scope. The sensors and software solutions, in addition to highly skilled personnel, will be integrated into Kongsberg Discovery.

President Martin Wien Fjell of Kongsberg Discovery describes the acquired technology as highly strategic., “The technologies, named Argeo Whisper and Argeo Listen, expand our sensor portfolio with active and passive electromagnetic sensing capabilities, strengthening our ability to detect and interpret complex underwater environments. In addition, the Argeo Scope will enhance our Blue Insight analytics platform, providing a comprehensive solution for automated dataflow and ocean data visualisation”.

Executive Vice President Audun Berg of Ocean Technologies, a division in Kongsberg Discovery, is eager to access valuable software, hardware, and highly skilled personnel. “We are pleased to continue developing and integrating the technology and expertise into Kongsberg Discovery. This will allow us to develop new products and solutions together. We will soon be able to deliver value-added solutions to all Hugin customers and continue to expand our offerings to other platforms, such as ROVs, drones, and towed vehicles.” 

The transfer of IP, software, hardware, and other assets is underway. In addition to a team of highly skilled personnel, which will soon join Kongsberg Discovery. “Their experience, knowledge, and competence will advance us significantly, and I look forward to bringing the technology to our customers,” he continued.

Argeo has developed a comprehensive software solution for automatic collection, processing and visualisation of sensor data from autonomous platforms. “These solutions will be integrated with Blue Insight, Kongsberg Discovery’s digital solution for accurate information from the oceans, focusing on internet security and seamless integration,” he says.

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@kongsbergasa #Argeo #PAuto #Marine

Extended switch product range for port technology.

An extended range of switchgear products is being launched by steute with DNV approvals. These switching devices have been developed for applications often involving exposure to damp and wet (including saltwater). Their key features also include a wide temperature range (down to -60oC, depending on the series). The DNV approval certifies that they are mechanically robust and able to withstand shocks, impacts and vibrations up to 4 g – a combination frequently, but not exclusively demanded by the maritime industry, e.g. in shipbuilding or on oil rigs.

To date, the steute range of DNV-approved switchgear comprised magnetic sensors and safety sensors, as well as foot switches in "Extreme" variants. This range has now been extended to include the three universally applicable position switch series Ex 97, Ex 98 and Ex 99. All three series are compact and robust, and can be adapted to the individual case in question by selecting different actuators. A high protection class (IP 66/67) is a matter of course, as is certification for Ex zones 1 and 21 (gas Ex and dust Ex).

Additional features of these position switches include compact and standard dimensions to EN 50047 (Ex 97) and EN 50041 (Ex 98 and 99), metal enclosures (Ex 98) and universal mounting options. All three series are also available as non-Ex variants.

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@mepaxIntPR #steute #Marine #Pauto #Automation

Template configuration for marine applications.

A free template configuration for marine applications, based on Emerson's Movicon.NExT™ HMI/SCADA system, and its PACSystems™ edge controllers, industrial panel PCs, and other control and networking products. This marine demonstration configuration provides a comprehensive user visualisation and interface experience, and it is available free of charge so designers and shipbuilders can accelerate their efforts to deliver a thoroughly modern and unified “single pane of glass” shipboard monitoring and control system.

Marine industry vessels like superyachts and ships may encompass as much automation complexity as a factory or a small city. Monitoring and control requirements are diverse, including subsystems used for propulsion, power delivery, climate control, machinery health supervision, security, and more. However, functionality is typically fragmented, and integration efforts must employ various digital communication protocols and hardwired signals. Furthermore, any visualisation system must be designed for always-on operation, even under challenging marine conditions.

These superyacht and ship characteristics are remarkably similar to the conditions found in a typical manufacturing factory, so it makes sense that industrial-grade Emerson automation technologies are an ideal fit for robust shipboard monitoring and control. The marine demo runs on redundant edge controllers and industrial panel PCs, which is a proven architecture well-suited for reliable and resilient operation.

Emerson edge controllers incorporate operational technology (OT) communication protocols, and they are adaptable to specialized marine industry protocols, so all instruments, devices, and subsystems can be integrated. Information technology (IT) protocols are optimized for conveying a large amount of data efficiently to and among PCs, supporting historizing, alarming, visualization, and other functionality. A self-healing PROFINET ring for accessing remote I/O, and redundant IT switches and rings, ensure uninterrupted communications amongst all devices. Data security is addressed because the HMI/SCADA solution carries IEC 62443-3-3 certification.

The marine demo has been developed by Emerson with numerous sample dashboards and displays, following a modern aesthetic to deliver unprecedented amounts of information in a streamlined format. Examples of systems and equipment supported include propulsion and Marex controls, electrical power generation/management, valve controls and tank volumes, schematics, fire detection, exterior/navigational lighting, interior lighting, CCTV, HVAC, alarms, data logging, and more. Here is a video depicting the marine demo.

Digital transformation is being implemented throughout factories worldwide so users can experience better visualisation and gain access to valuable data-driven insights. These same technologies are coming to seagoing vessels, and industrial automation and HMI/SCADA platforms are a superior choice. The Emerson marine demo combines proven hardware, software, and networking—providing a wealth of sample displays and concepts, which marine developers can use as templates for accelerating their designs.

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@Emerson_News @EmersonExchange @mepaxIntPR  #Marine #Automation

New CEO for supplier of zero-emission solutions.

The Board of Corvus Energy* has appointed Fredrik Witte as the new CEO, starting January 1st, 2024. Witte joins from his position as the Managing Director of Cargill Aqua Nutrition. Chairman of the Board, Mikael Mäkinen, is very happy to welcome him on board and looks forward to the start of a new phase for the company.

Fredrik Witte

Board Chairman, Mikael Mäkinen said "Corvus Energy is entering an important phase where the company will continue to build on a strong foundation and maintain its position as the market leader in a rapidly growing market. We are therefore very pleased that Fredrik has accepted to become the company’s new CEO. Fredrik brings extensive strategic and financial experience from companies in growth, something the Board believes is an excellent fit to lead Corvus Energy forward."

Based in Bergen(N), Fredrik Witte, has extensive international experience in leading growth companies. For the past eight years, he has been the Managing Director of Cargill Aqua Nutrition's operations in Norway, Scotland, and Canada, where he leads 450 employees. Witte has also served as the Chief Financial Officer for Rieber & Søn ASA in Bergen and has experience with Tomra Systems and DNB. He is excited to get started and to get to know the company better.

"Corvus is a unique global company," he said. "It is motivating to become part of a company that plays a key role in making the global maritime industry emission-free. I am therefore humbled to have been given the responsibility of leading the company and building upon a strong market position. First and foremost, I am looking forward to getting to know the business and the employees worldwide, where we together will continue to develop the company" 

Fredrik Witte starts January 1st, 2024, CFO Mette Rokne Hanestad will serve as the Interim CEO in the meantime.

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*Corvus Energy offers a full portfolio of energy storage and fuel cell systems, suitable for almost every vessel type, providing power systems in the form of modular lithium-ion battery systems and Hydrogen PEM fuel cell systems.

#corvusenergy #Energy #Norway

Strategic investment accelerates sustainability in shipping.

Emerson has made a strategic investment in Frugal Technologies, a Danish-based company that offers fuel optimisation technologies that reduce energy use and emissions in shipping fleets. The investment aligns with Emerson’s fuel management and propulsion control and optimisation expertise in its marine systems and solutions business.

“Frugal Technologies’ mission aligns very well with our commitment to drive innovation that supports our customers in their sustainability journey,” said Jon Stokes, group president of Emerson. “Our shipping customers demand the best fuel consumption measurements and data available to make better, more informed decisions, and Frugal, combined with our technologies, provides an unparalleled value proposition for fuel optimisation.”

On average across vessel types, fuel consumption accounts for approximately 60% of operating costs. Frugal’s cloud-based propulsion optimisation software uses AI technology to collect data related to dynamic conditions such as weather, cargo load and propulsion and develop optimal engine models for ships. Frugal estimates its propulsion solutions generate savings of up to 15% in fuel consumption, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

“Our propulsion solution supports two critical pain points in the market: optimising energy use to reduce fuel costs and helping ship owners comply with more stringent emissions targets,” said Peter Hauschildt, co-founder and chief executive officer of Frugal Technologies. “Our fuel optimisation technology complements Emerson’s marine expertise and automation portfolio, and together we are well positioned to help fleet performance leaders better manage their fuel costs and meet their sustainability targets.”

New global environmental regulations have sparked innovation to support shipping companies in their sustainability journey. The International Maritime Organization has stated its goals to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.

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@EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation @IMOHQ @HHC_Lewis #Marine

Testing submarine cables.

The Coherent OTDR¹ MW90010B has been introduced by Anritsu, to locate faults in submarine cables. MW90010B can evaluate up to 20,000 km and has an easily selectable wavelength that covers the full C-band². It is more portable with a 40% weight reduction for the same product size as the previous model. The instrument helps customers to improve the quality of submarine cable communications and continues to support test solutions to meet market needs.

Development background.
The volume of communications traffic is increasing due to the spread of 5G mobile and cloud services. In addition, the worldwide submarine cable network carries most data communications and is expected to expand with future technological innovations.

Nowadays, major IT vendors have not only invested in new installation projects but are increasingly installing landing stations.³

and cables to directly synchronize their data centers at high speed and low latency. As a result, the submarine cable networks become more complex and quality assurance for their installation and maintenance also become more important. To meet this market demand, Anritsu is improving the test solution.

Product outline.
The Coherent OTDR MW90010B uses the coherent (optical heterodyne) detection method and has a built-in tunable wavelength light source. Its selectable wavelength feature facilitates the measurement of all cable lines from each landing station and helps assure the quality of submarine cables.

Key features.
• Locate faults in submarine cables up to 20,000 km
- Supports faulty detection up to 12,000 km with repeaters installed at 80 km or wider intervals.
- Extends the detection distance up to 20,000km with the MW90010B-003 option.
• Wider wavelength range (1527.60 to 1567.13 nm, ITU-T grid 50GHz step)
- Covers the full C-Band measurement.
- Built-in tunable light source with ±0.05 nm wavelength accuracy.
• Reduced weight for better portability
- Weighing less than 10kg and compact size for portability (40% weight saving for same size as the previous model).
- Easy portability at landing station, submarine cable laying vessels and other maintenance sites.

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¹Coherent OTDR: The OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) uses the coherent (optical heterodyne) detection method. Ideal for measuring the characteristics of optical fibers in submarine cables with optical repeater amplifiers.
² C-band: Abbreviation for Conventional band; wavelength band with the lowest fiber loss. Used for Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) used in submarine cables.
³ Landing station: Dedicated facility for bringing submarine cables onto land and functioning as a relay point to the land network.

@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR #TandM

Positioning for a beautiful friendship.

When BTG needed their IRM400 range of positioning measurement systems to send real-time data over different industrial networks, they found Anybus from HMS Networks. And that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

The drive to increase the efficiency of international shipping relies on high-performance cranes to transfer containerized cargo quickly and safely from ship to shore. BTG specializes in developing, producing, and installing positioning measurement systems for automated container ports. Much of the company's work is based on providing sensors to enable cranes to move cargo from ships to automated guided vehicles (AGVs). But the networking is complex and demanding. The cranes and AGVs often use different industrial networks, yet they need to transfer real-time data in harsh environments. That’s where Anybus steps in. Anybus takes care of the networking allowing BTG to focus on the position measurement systems, and together they help to increase the efficiency in automated container ports.

BTG is a Dutch company specializing in position measurement systems used in all types of cranes and vehicles in automated container terminals. BTG has over 25 years of experience and has products in all the main automated container ports around the world. One of BTG’s key products is the IRM400 range of measurement systems. It is designed to control sway, skew, and inclination and thereby provide accurate position control of the crane’s spreaders and their precious cargo.

Designed as a series of modular elements, the IRM can be configured for many different types and sizes of cranes. The system consists of an infrared transmitter and a high-resolution receiver unit. The transmitter is mounted on the spreader of the crane, and the receiver is mounted perpendicular above the transmitter. The system constantly measures the sway angle of the load in flight in all directions. It also measures the spreader skew angle and optionally the trim and list angle.

To achieve this level of dynamic control of multi-ton loads traveling in three dimensions at high speed, data must be collected from several sources in real-time and processed instantly so that the exact position and velocity are always known and can be adjusted.

“We have a lot of experience and knowledge with position measurement systems in tough industrial environments, but we are not experts in industrial networks,” explains Daan Potters, chief operating officer at BTG. “That’s why we turned to Anybus.”

Networking Requirements.
BTG required a networking technology that could be embedded into the IRM sensor, allowing the sensor to communicate over PROFIBUS, PROFINET, and CANopen networks. As BTG is a global company and different networks are dominant in different parts of the world, BTG also needed the possibility to easily cover more networks in the future. The networking solution also needed to be compatible with legacy equipment, tough enough to handle marine environments, and fast enough to process real-time data communication.

The Anybus CompactCom!
Anybus from HMS Networks is a product brand specializing in connecting industrial devices to any major industrial network. There’s a CompactCom product for the integration of any major Fieldbus or industrial Ethernet network, including PROFIBUS, PROFINET, and CANopen networks.

Embedded Design.
The CompactCom is embedded into the relevant device, in this example the sensor’s receiver. The embedded design brings several benefits. It’s simple to install and therefore reduces the time to market for new products. It’s possible to reuse legacy equipment, enabling BTG to retrofit new electronic control systems to existing cranes. The CompactCom can be embedded in an IP67-rated enclosure, ensuring that the equipment can handle the harsh conditions found in marine environments.

Real-Time Communication.
The Anybus CompactCom provides high-performance data exchange that can handle even the most demanding synchronized motion applications - up to 1448 bytes of process data in each direction.

“We chose the CompactCom B40, and we’re pleased we did”, concludes Daan Potters. “The CompactCom B40 solved all our networking needs, it’s compatible with all the required networks, and it provides real-time communication, which is essential in position measurement systems. Anybus also provided excellent support to help us to implement the CompactCom B40 as quickly as possible”.

@HMSAnybus @mepaxIntPR #KLAB #Marine

Topside and hullside electrical system automation.

ABB has won a large order from Sembcorp Marine Ltd, a global provider of innovative engineering solutions to the offshore, marine and energy industries with headquarters in Singapore, to deliver the complete electrical system automation for a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility for Brazilian oil and gas producer Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras). 

The P-82 FPSO will be one of the largest vessels to be deployed in the Búzios field, an ultra-deepwater oil and gas field covering an area of 853 square kilometers in the Santos Basin, around 180 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Petrobras plans to deploy 18 FPSO vessels offshore Brazil in the next four years[1] – making up nearly half of all global FPSOs. These new-generation vessels, of which P-82 is one of the first, will be characterized by high production capability and emission-reduction solutions, such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Collectively, these vessels are expected to have the production capacity of approximately 2.8 million barrels per day.

ABB is supplying both the topside and hullside electrical systems for P-82, providing seamless project integration. The topside systems will be installed in an ABB eHouse solution – a prefabricated, modular substation that reduces costs, risk exposure and on-site work because all components are wired, tested and commissioned before shipment to the yard.

Once operational, the facility – which receives fluids from a subsea reservoir before separating them into crude oil, natural gas and water within topside facilities onboard – will have the capacity to produce 225,000 barrels of oil per day and process 12 million cubic meters of gas per day.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Sembcorp Marine to deliver this integrated solutions order,” said Brandon Spencer, President of ABB Energy Industries. “We have a proven record in electrical and automation solutions for FPSOs both in Brazil and worldwide. This project aligns with our own commitment to reduce the emissions footprint of existing hydrocarbon infrastructures as we balance the needs of the energy transition with rising consumption demands, especially in developing economies.”

@ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation @petrobras #PAuto #Marine #Oil_Gas

The blue economy.

Leagan Gaeilge

A conference on the Blue Economy will be held in Údarás na Gaeltachta’s head office in Na Forbacha,(Gaillimh IRL) on the 29th November 2022, as part of Asia Business Week. This conference, focussing on Marine Innovation and Offshore Wind Energy, will examine developments in the Blue Economy in Ireland and internationally.

Among the speakers on wind energy at next week’s conference will be Martin Murray, CEO of Asia Matters, Séamus Mc Cabe, senior development director with Corio Generation, Jayasurya Francis, India Director with the Global Council of Wind Energy and Dr. Edel O’ Connor, Business Development Director with the IMDO, the Irish Marine Development Office.

Seán Mulvany, senior investment manager with the Irish Strategic Investment Fund, will take part in the panel discussion on marine innovation, along with Máire Ní Éinniú, Blue Economy specialist with Údarás na Gaeltachta, Caroline Bocquel, Interim Chief Executive with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Sea Fisheries) agus Dr. Colin Hannon, Senior Research Fellow at ATU.

Through their participation in Asia Business Week, Údarás na Gaeltachta aims to develop and strengthen connections between Asian countries and the west of Ireland, attract Asian investors to invest in businesses in the Gaeltacht and develop new markets for Gaeltacht companies.

Martin Murray, CEO of Asia Matters siad “The Asia marketplace is responsible for half the world’s GDP, and that’s where Irish businesses should be focusing their energies on. Business across Asia is relationship-based, rather than the transactional way of doing things we are used to in the West. Any business wanting to expand in Asia, especially businesses in the west of Ireland, would benefit enormously from the invaluable knowledge and experience that our speakers will be sharing.”

“This conference in Údarás na Gaeltachta is a great opportunity to examine the potential of the Blue Economy in the west of Ireland and to see that potential in an international context," according to Colm Ó Coisdealbha, Interim CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta. “Údarás na Gaeltachta has a deep understanding of the importance of strategic connections with organisations and companies all over the world. We welcome the opportunity to be involved with Asia Matters for Asia Business Week; speakers with a wealth of experience will share their knowledge and insights, and participants will certainly benefit from their attendance at the events throughout the week.”

• Those wishing to attend virtually should register here.

@UdarasnaG @asiamatters_biz #Marine, #Offshore #Energy

An eacnamaíocht ghorm.

Mar chuid de sheachtain ghnó Asia Matters, beidh Údarás na Gaeltachta ag reáchtáil seimineár ar na Forbacha (Gaillimh) ar an Eacnamaíocht Ghorm ar an 29 Samhain 2022, ag díriú ar an Nuálaíocht Mhara agus ar Fhuinneamh Eischósta, comhdháil ag a mbeifear ag tabhairt léargais ar staid na heacnamaíochta goirm in Éirinn agus ar fud na cruinne. 

Ina measc siúd a bheas ag labhairt faoi cheist an fhuinnimh eischósta, beidh Martin Murray, Príomhfheidhmeannach Asia Matters, Séamus Mc Cabe, stiúrthóir forbartha sinsireach leis an gcomhlacht Corio Generation, Jayasurya Francis, Stiúrthóir na hIndia sa gComhairle Domhanda d’Fhuinneamh Gaoithe agus an Dr. Edel O’ Connor, Bainisteoir Forbartha Gnó leis an IMDO, Oifig Forbartha Muirí na hÉireann.

Beidh Seán Mulvany, bainisteoir sinsireach infheistíochta le Ciste Straitéiseach Infheistíochta na hÉireann ag glacadh páirt sa díospóireacht faoin nuálaíocht mhara, maraon le Máire Ní Éinniú, speisialtóir san eacnamaíocht ghorm le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, Caroline Bocquel, Príomhfheidhmeannach Eatramhach Bhord Iascaigh Mhara agus an Dr. Colin Hannon, ó Ollscoil Theicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh.

Trí rannpháirtíocht in Asia Matters, tá sé mar aidhm ag Údarás na Gaeltachta teagmhálacha a fhorbairt agus a chothú idir iarthar na hÉireann agus tíortha na hÁise, infheisteoirí as an Áis a mhealladh chun infheistíocht a dhéanamh i ngnólachtaí Gaeltachta, agus margaí nua san Áis a aimsiú do chomhlachtaí sa nGaeltacht.

“Tá margadh na hÁise freagrach as leath de Olltáirge Intíre (GDP) an domhain agus ba chóir go mbeadh gnólachtaí na hÉireann ag féachaint i dtreo na dtíortha sin," arsa Martin Murray, Príomhfheidhmeannach Asia Matters. "Tá cúrsaí gnó san Áis bunaithe ar chaidreamh pearsanta agus ar theagmhálacha – bheadh an t-eolas agus an taithí atá le roinnt ag ár gcainteoirí le linn na seachtaine seo ina bhuntáiste d’aon chomhlacht atá ag iarraidh forbairt a dhéanamh i dtreo na hÁise, go háirithe gnóanna san iarthar."

Dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach Eatramhach Údarás na Gaeltachta, Colm Ó Coisdealbha “Is iontach an deis í an chomhdháil seo in Údarás na Gaeltachta le féachaint ar na féidearthachtaí a bhaineann leis an Eacnamaíocht Ghorm in iarthar na hÉireann agus é sin a chur i gcothéacs idirnáisiúnta. Tá an-tuiscint ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar an tábhacht atá le nascanna straitéiseacha le heagraíochtaí agus comhlachtaí ar fud an domhain. Sa gcomhthéacs sin, tá muid thar a bheith sásta bheith rannpháirteach in imeachtaí Asia Business Week i dtaca le Asia Matters; beidh cainteoirí a bhfuil taithí den scoth acu ag roinnt a gcuid saineolais agus is cinnte go mbeidh an-tairbhe le baint ag na rannpháirtithe as imeachtaí uile na seachtaine.“

• Is féidir freastail go fíorúil ach clárú anseo.

@UdarasnaG @asiamatters_biz #Marine, #Offshore #Energy

Subminiature switches.

Omron Electronic Components Europe has announced a new fully sealed, ultra subminiature microswitch providing substantially higher operating and releasing forces compared to existing solutions. The new bent leaf lever versions of the compact and flexible Omron D2GW microswitch increases operating force up to 1.5N and releasing force up to 0.1N.

As with existing variants of the Omron D2GW, the new switches are totally sealed to IP67 (excluding the terminals on the terminal models) and operate in temperatures of up to 85°C. They maintain the exceptionally small size (8.3mm × 6.5mm × 5.3mm) providing the smallest switch of its type in the industry.

The new models extend the options for applications subjected to water spray or high levels of dust. D2GW switches are ideal for vending machines, smart meters, EV charging stations, security systems, HVAC equipment, white goods, and similar applications where space is at a premium.

They retain the sliding-contact construction, boasting the industry’s smallest size in its class – just 8.3 x 6.5 x 5.3mm. In addition, the lever can now be mounted on either the left or right side of the switch, on both the press-fit terminal and moulded lead-wire versions.

The D2GW switches feature a ground-breaking contact design to maximise performance. Sliding contact construction achieves quiet operation and high contact reliability, wiping away any dust or other impurities. It has double contacts, which serve to improve reliability.

The D2GW is available in a wide variety of styles, with a choice of mounting structures, actuators, and terminal specifications to maximise application flexibility. Further options include press-fit terminals to enable solder-less PCB installation, as well as solder terminals, PCB terminals and moulded wire leads. The D2GW features a symmetrical shape with the push button located in the centre, allowing levers to be added in either direction.

@OmronEurope @OmronComponents  @NeeshamPR #Marine 

Underwater pressure transmitter.

A new pressure transmitter specifically aimed at gas and liquid pressure measurement tasks in submerged instruments and equipment used in marine and offshore applications has been launched by Positek. With its protection rating of IP68 sealed to 10bar/IP69K, the new S401 series brings together their extensive application experience in challenging environment sensor technologies with a robust and durable 35 mm diameter, 316 stainless-steel housed construction and a high accuracy piezo resistive sensing element coupled with the latest ASIC circuitry.

The new pressure transmitter is available with gauge pressure measurement ranges set to customer requirements from 0.6 to 2000 bar and with a wide choice of high level ratiometric voltage, current outputs – some with a low power consumption option for use with battery powered wireless transmitting systems.

The S401 series has a specified range accuracy of less than 0.5% and a stated non-linearity of less than 0.15% of range. Repeatability and stability/year both at less than 0.10% of the measurement range. The transmitter is designed for use in temperatures from -40 to +125°C (compensated range -20 to +85°C) with temperature coefficients at less or equal to 0.15% for both offset and range. These specifications combine with a fast response time and generous burst and overpressure ratings plus exceptional shock and vibration characteristics to ensure precise and stable pressure measurement over a wide working range with an estimated life of more than 10 million pressure cycles. Installation flexibility is aided by a choice of 1/4" NPT or G1/4" threads for the wetted components and electrical interfacing is via a moulded cable to customer’s length requirement with connector/mating connector option.

The new pressure transmitter accompanies Positek’s wide range of linear, rotary and tilt position sensors, and other sensor technologies which are extensively used across oil & gas, motorsports, mining, marine, agriculture, construction, transportation, and many other demanding industries. The ISO9001:2015 designer and manufacturer has ATEX, IECEx and CSA certification across many product lines.

@positekltd @Variohm @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Marine

Paint covered!

Five-year framework agreement to implement automation software and technology will help paint manufacturer increase throughput and quality and reduce operating costs.

A framework agreement with paint manufacturer Jotun to automate and digitalize its global manufacturing facilities has been announced by Emerson. The five-year agreement will enable Jotun to implement Emerson’s digital technologies to enhance all aspects of manufacturing automation in new factories, and for selected upgrades in some of its 39 existing factories around the world.

Jotun is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of decorative paints and marine, protective and powder coatings. Through its agreement with Emerson, Jotun will increase process automation and create a standardized digital technology solution for new factory projects, which will help the company achieve increased throughput, uptime and product quality, while reducing operating costs.

“In securing a long-term automation partner with the expertise required to support our journey, we will have access to systems, competence and support serving our needs when constructing and operating technically advanced and efficient paint factories around the world,” said Fredrik Urdahl, Jotun’s group technical director - operations. “Emerson’s advanced automation technologies and focus on providing standardized project methodologies, as well as global and local support, were critical factors in our selection for collaboration.”

Jotun will initially focus on standardizing on Emerson’s modular, scalable and easy-to-use DeltaV™ distributed control system in new factory projects. The intelligent control will ensure consistent, integrated batch processes, minimizing risk to product quality and enhancing productivity.

The agreement also enables Emerson to deliver a wide range of automation solutions to improve Jotun’s manufacturing operations. These could include advanced sensor technologies, data management and analytics platforms, software applications, predictive maintenance and remote monitoring techniques and asset management tools.

“We have a long track record of helping companies introduce technologies and processes that lead to game-changing enhancements, and Emerson is committed to helping Jotun realize significant ongoing production efficiency improvements,” said Mark Bulanda, executive president of Emerson’s Automation Solutions business. “We will help support Jotun’s transformation efforts not only through our industry-leading portfolio of digital technologies and solutions, but also from our Project Certainty methodologies.”

@EMR_Automation @EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis #Jotun #PAuto #DCS

Away with the wind!

Wind-powered SP80 boat setting out to reach the phenomenal speed of 80 knots, and thereby break the long-standing world sailing speed record of 65.45 knots.

During the development of its boat that is now close to its final design phase, the SP80 team has chosen Fischer Connectors for the data-transmission solutions interconnecting the various sensors that will equip the boat and its pilot to break the world sailing speed record. The technical challenge is to sail at a speed of 80 knots (148.16 km/h), powered only by the wind. This is 14.55 knots faster than the record of 65.45 knots (121.21 km/h) set in 2012.

The carbon-fibre SP80 boat looks like a Formula 1 car combined with a fighter jet designed specially to glide on the water, featuring a super-ventilating triangular hydrofoil and towed by a huge kite wing. 

“Several projects are in the running to break the long-standing world sailing speed record,” says Mayeul van den Broek, CEO of the SP80 startup based in Renens near Lausanne, Switzerland, and created in 2019 by a team of engineers and students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). “This technological adventure is fascinating, as we’re confronted with extremely challenging physical laws. That’s why our international team of nearly 50 people, some of whom are now finalizing the innovative design of our boat which is being built in Persico Marine’s shipyard in Italy, is anxious to get the very best in terms of data-transmission performance and reliability. These technical requirements are crucial when it comes to interconnecting the various sensors with which our boat and its pilot will be equipped during the launch and the boat’s enhancement runs scheduled for the end of the year, and the record-breaking event scheduled for next year.”

The data collected by the multiple sensors and loggers monitoring the boat’s structure and the pilot’s performance will be transferred through the connectors, associated cables and electronic solutions of Fischer Connectors.

“The technology partnership with Fischer Connectors is a logical step forward in our record-breaking ambition,” explains van den Broek. “The innovations we’re putting in place to enhance our boat’s aerodynamics above water and minimize the friction of its hull and foil under water need to be monitored during the boat’s development phase as well as during the speed run itself. To ensure the efficient transfer of these monitoring data, we need a solutions provider that has not only expertise in signal integrity and data transmission and management, but also a holistic approach to electronic systems in order to provide the end-to-end connectivity solutions required for our sensing system.”

During the design phase, sensors are used to improve and control the robustness of the high-performance materials (carbon, titan, stainless steel) of the boat’s structure. Thanks to the design of the super-ventilated foil, stability is optimized and the impact of cavitation – a phenomenon in which water starts boiling around foils at extreme velocities, slowing the boat down – is avoided. During the speed run, data are collected from the various electronic modules and control sensors directly integrated into the boat, and from the monitoring sensor communications between the pilot and the technical crew on shore, including biometric data transferred through sensors worn on the pilot’s body such as vital and security parameters.

“The SP80 project is exciting and inspiring,” says Fischer Connectors’ CEO Jonathan Brossard, “as it combines innovation and performance to push the boundaries of physical laws thanks to unique solutions and daring concepts. One member of the SP80 R&D team is part of our own R&D center, making the exchange of expertise all the more efficient and easier. We look forward to discovering the technological breakthroughs on which the SP80 team is working, and which Fischer Connectors is proud to support.”

The final design of the boat for the record will be revealed to the public in spring 2022. The launching of the boat will take place at the end of 2022, while the first tests are scheduled in the South of France for the spring or autumn of 2023 – the two periods of the year that offer the best weather conditions for sailing.

@SP80_record @FischerConnect @mepaxIntPR #Connectors 

Fixed gas sensor for marine applications.

NevadaNano has announced a partnership with Recom Industrial in Genoa, (I),  to deliver the Gas Point Safe Zone system, their unique Molecular Property Spectrometer™ (MPS™) fixed gas sensor for naval and shipyard environments.

The Gas Point Safe Zone MPS-driven detection system reduces maintenance costs and increases uptime, protecting workers in virtually any environment where flammable gas mixtures are present. In addition to marine applications, the new standalone Gas Point detectors are ideal for use in the petrochemical, agricultural, chemical, oil and gas, airline, and mining industries.

“Recom Industrial has a proven track record in providing gas detection solutions across a wide range of industries and applications,” said Gary Collins, general manager, EMEA, for NevadaNano. “By integrating our MPS sensor technology, Recom is setting the highest standard in performance, reliability, and accuracy that will help save lives and ensure business operations continue without interruption.”

Using MPS sensors, a single Gas Point detection tool quickly detects and precisely quantifies more than12 different types of gases and mixtures, improving safety conditions. Those who work in a work environment at risk can rely on a single, extremely reliable device to warn promptly of the onset of danger. Unlike traditional models, the MPS sensor requires only a standard factory calibration eliminating the need for periodic field calibration for up to five years. With built-in compensation for temperature, pressure, and humidity, the gas sensor can detect methane and combustible gas with exceptional accuracy even in rapidly changing environmental conditions, minimizing false positives. Based on microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology, the gas sensor device is very robust and immune to drift, decay or poisoning.

@Recom_Ind @CorridorComms #nevadanano #PAuto 

DIN-Rail power supply for marine applications.

The new 24V, 20A DIN-Rail power supply CP20.245-R2 from PULS POwer, is developed for on- and offshore use in the marine and offshore process industries. The marine-compliant power supply meets the high requirements of EMC class B without additional external filters and can be used directly in bridge and deck applications.

The CP20.245-R2 has optimal electronic and mechanical design for the harsh environmental conditions found at sea and onshore. The power supply is characterised by its high immunity to transients and voltage peaks as well as its robust aluminium housing. The device provides full output power of 480W even with fluctuating ambient temperatures between -40°C and + 60°C. The extensive approval package includes Marine DNV, Marine ABS and ATEX, among others.

High system reliability is assured thanks to an integrated decoupling feature, which makes the CP20.245-R2 unique. An onboard decoupling MOSFET enables a safe 1 + 1 and n + 1 redundancy between multiple power supplies. This ensures the availability of all process and safety systems in the event of a fault. The innovative design removes the requirement for an additional external redundancy module, reducing cost and saving space. Special plug-in connectors allow hot-swap replacement of the devices during operation, using the sequence described in the data sheet.

The CP20.245-R2 is based on the field proven industrial version of the CP20, which is used in thousands of applications worldwide. The high efficiency of 95.2% ensures low power losses and little waste heat. In addition, the 20% power reserve from the basic version is maintained. The compact product with a width of only 48mm has been retained despite the additional, application-specific features.

For remote status monitoring two relay contacts for DC-OK and alarm signals are provided. Two additional inputs allow the power supply to be put into an energy-saving standby mode using the remote ON / OFF function and automatic load sharing in parallel operation for greater power output can be realised. Parallel operation ensures an optimised temperature balance between the connected power supplies, prolonging the service life of the devices.

All CP20 versions share the same compact housing with dimensions of 48x124x127mm (WxHxD). This is made possible by a very high efficiency of 95.2%. As a result of the low power losses, less heat is generated in the housing and the clearance and creepage distances can be reduced.

Marco van der Linden, UK Country Manager for PULS Power, comments, "The market for instrumentation, control and SMART systems in marine and offshore applications is growing. Our latest version of the proven CP20 DIN-Rail power supplies not only meets all relevant standards but offers a compact, reliable and simply to install solution. The ability to be connected for parallel redundancy with no additional components, increases system reliability while saving space and cost."

@PULSPowerSupply @proactivefleet #PSU #Pauto

Position sensors control marine engines.

Hall-based position sensors are becoming widely used in a wide variety of applications due to their contactless and wear-free measurement method. These sensors are used in outboard marine engines to control the trim level. Marine drive manufacturers rely on the Hall-based position sensors from ZF as reliable and robust components for their overall drive system.

The Hall-based position sensors from ZF have been established as a reliable sensor solution for marine applications, especially for the inclination and trim measurement of outboard motors. To ensure optimal performance of a boat depending on the speed, the outboard motor must have a certain inclination. Both angle and linear position sensors are used with an associated external magnet carrier to monitor and realign the current inclination of the motor. The sensors are completely contactless and have an almost unlimited lifetime, as no wear and tear occur caused by abrasion. For position measurement, the external magnet is attached a few millimeters above the sensor. If the magnet rotates, the magnetic field changes, which again leads to a change in voltage within the sensor electronics. Each voltage value can be assigned to a specific angle value.

Depending on the requirements and customers’ requests, ZF offers a range of different angle sensor variants with associated magnets for triggering signals. These vary in terms of the angular range (0-360°), signal redundancy (non-, semi- or fully redundant), connection interface (cable, connector), operating temperature range and form factor. Attributed to long lasting experiences and know how in hall-based sensor technology, also customized solutions can be fulfilled.

@zfswitch_sensor #Marine 

Simplifying marine vessel manouvers!

Emerson has modified its AVENTICS Marex 3D Joystick system for easy integration into existing vessels. Designed to enable single-handed operation of yachts, speedboats and pleasure craft, the joystick system provides the user with outstanding precision, for stress-free and safe maneuvers. Optional dynamic positioning features round off the convenience package.

AVENTICS™ Marex 3D provides intuitive control, dynamic positioning and easy installation

Docking vessels can be challenging, even for experienced skippers. In narrow spaces, the steering wheel, main and auxiliary drives must be operated at the same time while the ship is drifting off with wind and current. Marex 3D allows for performing such maneuvers via one control element only – the Marex 3D Joystick – and steering the vessel intuitively and precisely. The captain can give the maneuver his full attention while Marex 3D takes control of the drives - a plus in safety. An integrated vector control intelligently manages engines and thrusters to ensure the vessel imitates the movement of the joystick exactly. The heading can be kept by implementing the yaw angle into the calculation.

As an option, more comfort functions can be selected at the push of a button: “3D Hold’” keeps the ship at a defined spot, removing the need to steer manually while waiting at water gates or narrow port entries. Marex 3D intelligently controls the available drives in order to keep the ship’s heading and position. The virtual anchor mode allows the ship to drift around a defined point as if attached to an invisible anchor chain. The main engines will be operated economically in order to minimize fuel consumption and noise.

Marex 3D is a supplement to the AVENTICS ship controls Marex OS and Marex ECS by Emerson. It is suitable for use with most engines and thruster brands in conventional shaft line, fixed-pitch propeller applications in combination with ON/OFF and proportional thrusters. Marex 3D Joysticks can easily be retrofitted as the wiring effort is low if a Marex OS system is already on board. Compared to other offerings, the single-source solution of remote control and joystick system combined reduces installation and start-up time.

“With the easy-to-use Marex 3D, maneuvering is very simple,” explained Norbert Volkmer, director of global business development, marine at Emerson’s Automation Solutions business. “Whether integrating into a new design or retrofitting to an existing vessel, the Marex 3D is quick and easy to install and provides vessel designers and owners a simple way of enhancing operational convenience and safety.”

#Marine #Recreation