Voltage regulator achieves cybersecurity approval.

Classification society DNV has granted ABB UNITROL® 1000 excitation system Cyber Security Type Approval - becoming the first automatic voltage regulator to achieve it. This facilitates maritime operators in meeting the new IACS UR E26 requirements more efficiently and contribute to the security of their vessels against cyber threats.

In the maritime sector, ABB UNITROL 1000 excitation system is used for a variety of applications on synchronous machines ranging from 100 kVA to 80 MVA. To help ensure resilience in the face of potential cyber threats, UNITROL 1000 has been certified as of November 2024 for compliance with the DNV Cyber Security Profile 1 (IACS UR E27), which is based on industry standard IEC 62443-3-3 security level 1. DNV, also known as Det Norske Veritas, is headquartered in Norway and is the world’s leading classification society, as well as a recognised advisor to the maritime industry.*

The primary purpose of a synchronous generator on a vessel is to supply the necessary electrical power for various on-board systems, including lighting, machinery, navigation, communication and propulsion. The UNITROL 1000 excitation system ensures stable control of the synchronous generator voltage, providing rapid response to load changes and maintaining required voltage levels, even in harsh environments. This reliability makes it a crucial component for efficient and consistent power generation, and safety of the vessel.

DNV type approval speeds up ship specific certification.
UNITROL 1000 is the first automatic voltage regulator to comply with the IACS UR E27 requirements, which involves “Cyber Resilience of On-Board Systems and Equipment”. The new certification is especially relevant for the maritime sector, which is currently accelerating its digitalization with more connectivity to onboard equipment. Digitalization brings many benefits but, at the same time, it can expose vessels to new cyber threats.

To reduce cyber risk, it has been mandatory for all new ships contracted from 1 July 2024 to comply with IACS UR E26 for “Cyber Resilience of Ships”. Having assets certified according to IACS UR E27 for the on-board systems provides important support for vessel owners, designers and yards in achieving full compliance with IACS UR E26.

Werner Pretorius, UNITROL 1000 Global Product Manager at ABB Energy Industries, explains the situation. “The main purpose of these standards is to lower the risk of cyber security threats and reduce downtime in case of potential cyber-attacks. To ensure compliance with regulations, each vessel must undergo a system evaluation by the classification society. With a Cyber Security Type Approval certificate, ABB simplifies the certification process for their customers, allowing them to focus on configuration and installation rather than re-testing pre-approved security barriers."

In line with IMO safeguards.
With the DNV certification ABB mitigates the occurrence of, and downtime caused by, cyber incidents due to potential cyber-attacks. Moreover, DNV accreditation supports vessel operators, offshore operators and marine OEMs in demonstrating the resilience of their systems. This not only streamline the certification processes but also enhances overall cyber security awareness. Additionally, DNV recognition aligns well with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) resolution MSC.428(98), which focuses on safeguarding power and automation systems on board ships, as well as ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data in remote connections.

Jarle Coll Blomhoff, DNV Head of Section for Digital Ship Systems, comments on the importance of gaining this security classification. “Adhering to IACS UR E27 and IEC62443 contributes to safer and more secure on-board systems and equipment, thus reducing the risk of power outages and other safety threats due to malicious attacks. We appreciate that ABB takes lead with ABB UNITROL 1000 system being the first of its kind to be DNV Cyber Secure compliant according to IACS UR E27 and supporting a more efficient certification process.”

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* More about DNV Cyber Secure Class Notation.

@ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation  @admiralpr #Marine #Cybersecurity

Maritime decarbonization targets.

Low sulphur and nitrousoxide emission limits in the International Maritime Organization regulations became effective worldwide in January 2020.  

CEMcaptain GAA610-M is approved by all
major classification societies  (DNV GL,
ABS Group,  Lloyds Register, Bureau
Veritas, ClassNK,  Korean Register).

CEMcaptain is a powerful emissions monitoring system from ABB designed to help the maritime industry meet these new regulations and become more sustainable. Its measurement and digital capabilities increase on-board safety, provide process optimization and substantially reduce ownership costs. By consistently achieving 98 percent and more uptime, the new system not only requires less maintenance effort but also saves time otherwise spent on handling non-compliance issues. 

Designed with busy mariners and a regularly changing crew in mind, CEMcaptain is a multi-component analyzer system that continuously provides real-time data offering reliable measurement of emissions with the highest stability. Operating in even the harshest of conditions it integrates analyzer modules and sample handling components in a standalone cabinet, making installation easy.  

Equipped with ABB’s Uras26 non-dispersive IR gas analyzer, CEMcaptain simultaneously and continuously measures sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in line with regulation requirements. Each analyzer has two separate gas paths to allow for continuous CO2/SO2 measurement of separate streams, with up to four different components per analyzer module.

“Our solutions are driving the evolution of sustainable shipping, paving the way to a zero-emission marine industry. ABB has more than 60,000 Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) installed in over 100 countries that help monitor our environment,” said Stephen Gibbons, ABB’s Head of Product Management in Continuous Gas Analyzers. “We draw on 60 years of experience in emissions monitoring to provide this support in concrete terms. CEMcaptain has been combined with innovations in on-site and remote digital services. The result is a solution that provides the industry with a digital toolbox that increases regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.” 

Fast fault reporting, diagnosis and repair are achieved via the on-site and remote digital services which help operators get closer to 100 percent availability for their gas analysis instrumentation. Dynamic QR codes are integrated into the ABB CEMcaptain system display panel. All relevant diagnostic information can be collected from the analyzer via a scanned code and transferred to ABB support. This means that maritime instrumentation technicians can send real-time information to an ABB service expert to get immediate guidance on appropriate maintenance. ABB Ability™ Remote Assistance with secured connectivity direct to ABB support is also offered for real-time solutions to problems. These features reduce the costly training of changing crews as well as the number of experts required on board. They also increase on-board safety by reducing crew exposure to emissions. 

@ABBgroupnews #PAuto #Marine

Corrosion-resistant switchgear tried and tested in the North Sea!

Many of the switchgear series from the steute "Extreme" range are suitable for use in damp, wet or even saltwater environments. Corresponding corrosion tests, for example the saltspray test to DIN EN ISO 9227, control the quality of such devices and make them comparable to others regarding these features.

But how do the switching devices perform in practice? How are they really affected by intermittent waves or underwater fouling, for example? These are crucial questions for the company because their "Extreme" switches are often used in maritime applications – on ships, on oil rigs, in quayside anchoring systems, or at seaport container terminals.

In order to find answers to these questions, steute commissioned the Fraunhofer IFAM (Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials) in Bremen to conduct a 1-year exposure test at its site on the small German island of Helgoland. The test procedure was as follows: several samples from each selected "Extreme" switchgear series – including position switches, foot switches and pull wire switches – were fastened to the exposed South mole, where the North Sea waves splashed them for one year. Some of the devices were installed in the tidal range, meaning that they were sometimes submerged and sometimes not. Any potential limitations of the devices in moving saltwater would thus be revealed. Where would fouling be evident, and would it affect the functional capacity of the switches?

These are ambient conditions which switching devices are hardly ever exposed to in practice. Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Lumme, steute Product Manager "Extreme": "The objective of these tests was to expose the switchgear to conditions so extreme that they went beyond all tests required by the approval bodies, allowing us to better understand any possible weak points."

These threshold tests have now been completed. The final IFAM report is not yet available, but the appearance of the switching devices after one year of exposure to saltwater and spray, as well as some initial tests at steute of their functional capacity, have revealed the following: in all the different series, the devices are saltwater-resistant and still completely functional 12 months on. Even the labels and the laser-inscribed lettering are still legible. The pre-treated and powder-coated housings, for example of the foot switches, presented in a very good condition, and the "inner workings", such as switching inserts, plungers and pedal axes, are also free of corrosion. This is testament to the high quality of both the surface coatings and the sealing.

steute will evaluate the IFAM test results in detail as soon as they are available, and will use them for further optimization of existing switchgear series, as well as the development of new "Extreme" devices. Rainer Lumme: "We now have the confirmation we needed that the plastics we use for our housings and actuators are unrestrictedly suited to Extreme requirements. We shall therefore intensify our efforts to replace metal with plastic – also in our more heavy-duty devices."

#Steute #Maritime #PAuto  @FraunhoferIFAM

Submersible load cells!

“The DDEN series of submersible load cells was originally developed for a marine customer in Italy to measure precise mooring tension of buoys in the sea, as part of a wave energy research project. The DDENs compact design, IP68 submersible sealing and stainless steel construction made it ideal for use in this application and in numerous applications since then.” Peter Lewis Managing Director of Applied Meausurements.

"Don’t wait for better weather to do your tension and compression monitoring, use our DDEN series of submersible load cells. High humidity environments and flood risk locations are no match for this load cell."  With its IP68 fully submersible rating and robust stainless steel construction, it can accurately measure tension and compression down to 10m underwater (with greater depths available on request). The DDEN’s electrical termination is a tough IP68 multi-core cable connected through an IP68 cable gland, which further supports its fully submersible sealing.

Compact
The DDEN series of submersible load cells are unique in their compactness over their wide capacity range of 250N up to 50kN. Even at the top end of the capacity rating, the unit dimensions do not change – with a diameter of just 44mm and a length of 65mm. Along with its compact size, the DDEN submersible load cells also come with integral male threads for in-line mounting. Its compact size and in-line mounting enables the load cells to be installed in a wide variety of applications where conventional load cells such as s-beams will not fit. The image below shows our miniature ICA amplifiers fitted inside the DDEN submersible load cell. These miniature ICA amplifiers give a direct amplified output from the sensor, offering outputs in; 0-5Vdc, 0-10Vdc, 4-20mA and ±10Vdc. The DDEN submersible load cell is then sealed with ‘O’ rings to allow for permanent use underwater whilst still maintaining its compact size.

Low Deflection and High Natural Frequency/Applications
In addition, the DDEN’s low deflection and high natural frequency also makes the load cell perfect for cable tension monitoring, marine and offshore applications, mooring lines, hydrodynamic and materials testing. We are pleased to have seen the DDEN series of submersible load cells being used in a number of other applications too such as mast stays on racing yachts, which must be kept tuned to a very high level at all times.

Customisation Available
This fantastically flexible DDEN submersible load cell can be customised to suit your specific application from thread length, spherical seating rod end bearings, female adaptors, cable length, various analogue outputs such as millivolt, 4-20mA, 0-10Vdc and greater submersible depths.

Peter Lewis continues: “We can customise the DDEN series of submersible load cells for specific applications, whilst still offering the customers the same lead time as our standard range.”

Control systems for floating LNG facility!

Yokogawa in Malaysia, has received an order from a consortium comprising JGC Corporation (J) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SK) that will supply control systems and safety instrumented systems for PETRONAS’s second floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, PFLNG2.

Under the terms of the contract, Yokogawa Kontrol (Malaysia) will deliver an integrated control & safety system (ICSS) for the monitoring and control of the liquefaction facilities and storage tanks on PFLNG2. The ICSS will consist of a Yokogawa CENTUM® VP integrated production control system, a ProSafe®-RS safety instrumented system, a Plant Resource Manager (PRM®) package, a plant information management system, and other components. Yokogawa Kontrol will also be responsible for engineering, and the support of installation, commissioning, and training.

The PFLNG2 facility will be moored offshore off Sabah, Malaysia, and is designed to produce 1.5 million tons of LNG a year, with production scheduled to start in early 2018.

An FLNG facility is a new type of LNG plant that performs all operations at sea, starting with the routing of natural gas from offshore gas fields and including the refining, liquefaction, storage, and transfer of this resource onto LNG carriers. FLNG is attractive because the technology does not require the acquisition of land or laying of pipelines, making it suitable for small to medium-sized offshore gas fields that are deemed economically unfeasible to develop.

Since its establishment in Malaysia in 1989, Yokogawa Kontrol (Malaysia) has developed a solid global track record and extensive know-how of LNG processing plants, LNG carriers, FPSO vessels, and other types of offshore facilities. It has delivered numerous control systems to PETRONAS production facilities.  

In 2013, Yokogawa set up an organisation dedicated to the growing marine resource business as part of its efforts to expand its control business in this sector and offer the latest technology solutions to its customers.

New extreme foot controls for ship and port technology

As a manufacturer of switchgear for extreme and complex applications, steute provides customers with its own range of offshore products especially developed for use in offshore, ship and port technology. Features of our devices include saltwater resistance, a robust construction, the necessary approvals and - where appropriate - Ex versions.Product photo: Extreme-foot switch for mooring-systems

This product portfolio contains for example the offshore version of our GFSI foot control (fig.). The metal housing of this switching device is extraordinarily robust. A protective guard prevents accidental actuation, while various switching inserts mean that the switch can be adapted to individual applications. The housing, made of saltwater-resistant aluminium with stainless steel screws and mounted parts, is designed for reliable operation at sea and/or in ports. In their Ex-protected version, these foot controls can be used in gas-Ex zones 1 and 2, as well as dust-Ex zones 21 and 22.

A typical application for this product is the electromechanical actuation of winches controlling docking lines in ports, as well as the releasing of mooring hooks. A winch reeling in the docking line can be started and stopped using one foot control; with a second foot control, the mooring hook attached to the anchor chain can be released - either to put the ship out to sea or because the chain needs to be freed quickly in a storm.

The use of highly robust foot controls, tried and tested in extreme applications, guarantees absolutely reliable operation of mooring hooks in such an application. As an alternative, wireless foot controls using radio technology, also tried and tested in many other extreme applications, are additionally available. This comparatively new technology means greater flexibility when positioning the switchgear. And it eliminates the risk of power and signal cables becoming damaged in the rough environment of a port.

Maritime appro

Ethernet switches receive DNV approval for use on board ships

Several ranges of Harting Ethernet switches have now received approval for use on board ships under the ship certification scheme administered by Det Norske Veritas (DNV): a leading independent worldwide authority of approvals and certifications in the maritime area.

The type approval is granted according to special guidelines that have been developed for international shipping, and covers areas such as temperature, air humidity and vibration characteristics as well as EMC properties. The subsequent product approval applies to areas such as machine rooms, decks and bridges.

In addition to the demands stipulated by DNV, the requirements of the standard for navigation and wireless communication equipment for maritime shipping (DIN EN 60945:2003-07) have also been confirmed for the respective products.

The Ethernet switches covered by the approval, which was granted in September 2009, are the eCon 2030-A, eCon 2040-A, eCon 2050-A, eCon 3080-A, eCon 3080-A1, eCon 3080-A4, sCon 3100-AA, mCon 3100-AAV, mCon 3082-ADV and mCon 3082-AEV.