Inmarsat hires Ben Palmer as the President of Maritime Business Unit

Inmarsat announces Ben Palmer as the President of their Maritime Business Unit

15 Oct 2021

Inmarsat, the pioneer in global, mobile satellite communications, announces that Ben Palmer OBE will be joining the company as President of its Maritime Business Unit on 8 November 2021.

Most recently head of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems division across Europe, Ben brings 25 years’ experience of driving transformational change in technology-heavy industries, including maritime, with a strong customer-centric focus and a track record of delivering results.

Maritime satellite connectivity

“Inmarsat is a company with growing momentum and I am delighted to welcome Ben Palmer to our executive team and as president of our maritime business at this pivotal time”, said Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat. “Supported by our market-leading technology platforms, including the recently announced ORCHESTRA and ELERA networks, Inmarsat is driving a step-change in growth."

Inmarsat has been a pioneer in maritime satellite connectivity for over four decades

"Customer-centricity is central to everything we do and Ben is the ideal leader to support our maritime partners and customers as they navigate a rapidly changing world and embrace the benefits of digitalisation.” Inmarsat has been a pioneer in maritime satellite connectivity for over four decades, delivering the most flexible and reliable communication services for ship operations and crew welfare.

Digital connectivity platform

Since the introduction of Fleet Xpress (FX) in 2016, it has become the pioneer digital connectivity platform and is now installed on over 11,000 vessels. Rajeev Suri continued: “I wish to pay tribute to Ronald Spithout for his long and distinguished career at Inmarsat and his years of service to our maritime customers and partners. His leadership helped make Fleet Xpress the success it is today and I am delighted to report that our maritime business continues to show enhanced performance which forms a solid foundation for the future. We wish Ronald every success in the future.”

Ronald Spithout has been with Inmarsat since 1988 (including his time at Stratos, Xantic and Station 12) and his numerous career highlights as a voice in the maritime industry include the rollout of Fleet Xpress and the work he has done spearheading the digitalisation of shipping

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Kongsberg Maritime is pleased to announce the launch of two innovative waterjet control systems based on its new JCS (Jet Control System) common technology platform: JCS Compact and JCS Extended. The use of standardised components across both systems keeps costs down and enhances operational simplicity. About JCS Compact JCS Compact is a tailored, closed-loop control system solution designed to manage the steering, reversing bucket and optional interceptor functions on small- to medium-sized waterjets. It can be used with either one or two control stations and a single waterjet propulsion unit or, for full redundancy and operational safety in the event of unforeseen issues, a dual-waterjet configuration. Each JCS Compact, complete with waterjet unit and hydraulic components, is factory tested and pre-calibrated before delivery. Its modest dimensions, plug-in assembly and easy-to-follow system start-up instructions make installation and commissioning simple. System operation A high-contrast 2.8” display panel provides a visual representation of the steering angle and reversing bucket position In use, the system works together with the waterjet propulsors to provide accurate, smooth and reliable control. A high-contrast 2.8” display panel provides a visual representation of the steering angle and reversing bucket position and shows informational parameters and alarms, with a variable brightness control to ensure optimal visibility in both direct sunlight and night-time operations. Functionality JCS Extended applies the same seamless functionality but on a larger, more advanced scale. Just like its smaller sibling, JCS Extended is used to control waterjet steering, reversing bucket and optional interceptor functions, but can accommodate up to three control stations and four waterjet propulsion units. Similar to the JCS Compact, the integrated feedback signals provide maximum accuracy in operating the waterjet hydraulic valves. In addition, the Extended system allows for an optional GNSS antenna. Advanced features JCS Extended also offers a variety of advanced, built-in optional functions for optimal operational smoothness and stability. Auto Positioning, Anchor Point, Auto Heading and Trim Assist provide optimal craft operability and can lead to lower operational costs in terms of fuel savings. Park Mode enables hydraulic cylinder rods to be withdrawn to prevent fouling when vessels are docked in areas with a high concentration of bio-organisms. An optional secure remote access solution provides users with Kongsberg servicing support and enhanced alarm traceability Each control station used with the JCS Extended solution will have its own high-contrast 7” display, with dedicated views providing detailed information for each specific function. On the bridge, design factors such as joystick and armrest integration have been ergonomically updated, while an optional secure remote access solution provides users with high-level Kongsberg servicing support and enhanced alarm traceability. Meets customer requirements “These sophisticated but tough new waterjet control systems are constructed with our usual care to ensure top performance even in the most extreme conditions,” says Gunder Norrbygård, Technical Product Manager, Kongsberg Maritime. “Flexibility is also key, with advanced optional functionalities and the ability for customers to adapt the systems to fulfil their requirements.”

BAE Systems challenges Scottish apprentices to innovate for carbon net zero drive

The Company has joined with Fuel Change, a unique platform for the next generation to create a low carbon future, to challenge young people from across Scotland to use their skills and ingenuity to help lower the carbon footprint of its shipyards in Glasgow. The Naval ship's business has a long and proud history of shipbuilding in Glasgow, and as a result, some of the buildings at the Govan and Scotstoun sites are now over 100 years old. That’s why, as part of Fuel Change Challenge 2, the Company is asking teams of apprentices from companies across Scotland to develop innovative yet practical ways to upgrade our buildings in order to lower their carbon footprint and benefit our local communities in Govan and Scotstoun. Moving towards net-zero BAE Systems making changes and investing in new technologies to ensure the products help customers move towards net zero "Historically, shipbuilding would not have been considered the most environmentally sustainable of industries but we recognize that we need to play our part in tackling the threat from climate change. We’re making changes and investing in new technologies to ensure our products and facilities can help us and our customers move towards net zero." "We’d like the teams to think creatively and consider other energy sources that could be used such as opportunities for renewable power from the river. We want them to challenge us with new ideas and innovations that we should be considering,” said Sharon Young, Head of Environmental Sustainability, BAE Systems Naval Ships. Net zero GHG emissions by 2030 The Company recently announced the target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its operations by 2030 and across the value chain by 2050 and has already begun reducing emissions at its sites across the UK through the use of solar panels and other renewable energy sources. More efficient, cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence are also being used to improve operational efficiency while reducing carbon emissions. Last month, the Company joined the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign, by signing up to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C which commits businesses to set targets aligned with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. Investing in zero energy carbon products Supporting supply chains to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and new technology to move towards net zero In order to achieve these goals, the Company is investing in low to zero energy carbon products and renewable energy solutions, supporting supply chains to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pioneering new technology to help customers move towards net zero. Apprentices can bring diverse and creative solutions to complex problems, and this challenge will provide them with an opportunity to use their skills and ideas for meaningful change in a year which will see Glasgow hosting COP26. The Fuel Change Challenge The Fuel Change Challenge was launched last year, and the main aim of the project is to hit the target of a low carbon Scotland and create real and deliverable environmental solutions, which can not only be implemented by partner companies, both nationally and potentially internationally and make a real difference to climate change. "The Fuel Change Challenge has been a really worthwhile experience to be a part of. It gave me the chance to co-lead a project that I really believe could make a big difference for our future, helping the Company and country take a step closer to reaching our net-zero target." The company commits to tackle climate change with talented and innovative people that can help create a sustainable future "The company is absolutely committed to tackling climate change and we have some hugely talented and innovative people that can help create a sustainable future for our communities. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to make a contribution to the last Fuel Change Challenge and I look forward to seeing what this year’s teams produce!" said Ellis Folan, BAE Systems Project Management apprentice. Participation in the challenge Eight BAE Systems apprentices took part in the challenge, developing a novel proposal, which would recycle decommissioned aircraft into miniature vertical wind turbines, reducing waste and providing clean energy. With support from the company, the team is turning its proposal into reality, designing two prototype turbines which will then be produced and tested at the Scotstoun and Govan sites.

World’s first large container ship converted to LNG by Hapag-Lloyd to arrive in Hamburg

During the weekend, the 15,000 TEU “Brussels Express” sailed into its homeport of Hamburg for the first time. It is the first large container ship in the world to have been converted to gas propulsion. In September 2020, when it was still named the “Sajir”, the ship went into the Huarun Dadong Dockyard in Shanghai. There, all the preparations had already been made to have a floating crane hoist the 1,300-tonne LNG tank into the belly of the ship as well as to carry out other work related to the conversion. Retrofitting and testing Hapag-Lloyd has renamed the ship the “Brussels Express” and the phrase “Shipping for a cleaner future!” adorns the harbour “The fact that a retrofitting of this scale had never been done before meant that we faced numerous challenges – from the planning to the implementation. We have broken new ground with the conversion, and we will now be testing it very precisely in real-world operation,” says Richard von Berlepsch, Managing Director Fleet Management at Hapag-Lloyd. “Fossil LNG is currently the most promising fuel on the path towards zero emissions. The medium-term goal is to have CO2-neutral shipping operations using synthetic natural gas (SNG).” Ship renamed In a nod to the European Green Deal, Hapag-Lloyd has renamed the ship the “Brussels Express”. In addition, the phrase “Shipping for a cleaner future!” adorns the breakwater on the forecastle. Operation and services The ship is not yet operating exclusively with LNG, as the final guarantee works will be performed at the end of this round voyage. The first complete LNG bunkering will then take place in Singapore on the next round voyage. In the future, the ship, which is currently operating in the Far East 4 service between Asia and North Europe, will bunker twice per round voyage: in Singapore and in Rotterdam.

Infor shares insight on overcoming the challenges of managing global freight

Managing global freight and ocean container movement now requires more dedicated insight as companies have expanded internationally. And no event outside of COVID-19 has exposed just how extensive, yet fragile, logistics networks and capacity flows have become over the last several decades. To adapt, some manufacturers have adopted progressive supply chain approaches that move away from "lean models to more flexible ones like "sense and respond." But not all businesses have successfully met the challenges. Globalisation forces supply chains to consider all events from regional holidays and ocean weather patterns to geopolitical turmoil and currency fluctuations. The year 2020 introduced yet another element: navigating a global pandemic. Challenges and changes Sophisticated supply chain features place added pressure on logistics operations and strive for cost reduction Supply chains, or rather supply networks as they exist now, are multi-national and prioritise agility, resilience, and flexibility just to keep the lights on. Sophisticated supply chain characteristics often place added pressure on logistics operations and the constant strive for cost reduction. In addition, there are several other challenges to manage. The SKU explosion: Customers want all options now, not just a few colors, sizes, designs, you name it. What’s harder is preferences can vary by country, by region, and even by the city in many cases. Customer expectations: Customer satisfaction, and retention, rides on availability and speed. Essentially “I want this now.” Ensuring global goods are on-hand so fulfillment can execute in hours rather than days or weeks places enormous pressure on companies today. Cost compression: Business revenue and profitability are paramount and supply chains exist to drive both. Margins are constantly attacked by a myriad of forces. Even small increases in margin can translate to large shifts in shareholder value and market capitalisation, which in turn can fuel R&D, market expansions, M&A activity, and other avenues to growth. Hyper-competition: With technology driving innovation, many once-stable industries have been upended by novel competitors. The digital-first models that blow-apart traditional market barriers to entry add more pressure to companies and rapidly compressing innovation cycles continue to mount. Global supply chain A global health crisis has highlighted how fragile most extended supply chains really are A globalised supply chain puts many critical product and raw material streams far away from the final customer. As distance increases, and visibility lessens but not knowing what inventory is in motion and where it’s located is unacceptable. A global health crisis has highlighted how fragile most extended supply chains really are. Those that invested in more agile sense and response capabilities have been able to rapidly scale down and back up again as opportunity arose. Bullwhip effect What those companies have in common is the ability to compress the time required to re-set when the ground beneath them shifts. As global supply chains continue to navigate the bullwhip effect causing price increases, freight capacity challenges, and port congestion, having a global freight management platform that allows for increased visibility and streamlined data sharing has become a critical need.

Hapag-Lloyd joins TradeLens platform

Hapag-Lloyd joined the TradeLens platform. TradeLens offers shippers, consignees and freight forwarders direct access to digitised, multi-carrier visibility and documentation processes for their maritime supply chains through a single platform. Clients can also easily connect their key supply chain partners to the digital platform giving much earlier visibility to their inbound supply chains. All members of the Tradelens ‘ecosystem’ contribute their planned, estimated and actual milestone events, which can then be consumed by all other permissioned members.Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, says: “The TradeLens platform has great potential to enable supply chain processes and documentation handling to be digitised. Our customers will clearly benefit from increased transparency, accuracy, speed and efficiency in their supply chains - leading to reduced cost.” permissioned access systems Just recently Hapag-Lloyd successfully completed the pilot program to test the complex data provisioning and permissioned access systems and is now working to bring the benefits of TradeLens to its clients and business partners across all major geographies. Until today five of the six biggest container shipping carriers have joined TradeLens.There are many further products and service offerings in the Tradelens pipeline, including an electronic bill of lading (TradeLens eBL) that offers clients an end to end digital process for the issuance, transfer and surrender of original bills of lading.Launched in 2019, the TradeLens ‘ecosystem’ now includes more than 300 organisations – encompassing ten ocean carriers and data from more than 600 ports and terminals. TradeLens has already processed 35 million container shipments, 2 billion events and 16 million documents. It was jointly developed by IBM and A.P. Moller–Maersk, with strong input from participating global shipping carries, in order to accelerate the digitisation of maritime supply chains.

MAN Energy Solutions and ANDRITZ Hydro agree on hydrogen cooperation

MAN Energy Solutions and ANDRITZ Hydro have completed a strategic framework agreement to jointly develop international projects for the production of green hydrogen from hydropower. Frank Mette, CEO of ANDRITZ Hydro in Germany, and Dr. Uwe Lauber, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of MAN Energy Solutions, signed the agreement in Ravensburg. A pilot project in Europe will mark the start of the collaboration. Subsequently, the companies want to jointly identify further projects and implement them in the context of the German Federal Government's H2 Global initiative. Hydrogen energy partnerships H2 Global is a market-based funding platform, which aims to efficiently promote the market launch of green hydrogen and hydrogen-based power-to-X products. For this purpose, hydrogen energy partnerships are to be established with countries with a correspondingly high potential to provide a long-term, cost-effective and reliable green hydrogen supply to Germany and the EU. Frank Mette: “Hydropower is one of the few completely climate-neutral forms of energy, which is capable of providing base load power. We, therefore, see excellent potential for worldwide expansion – in new construction projects just as much as in repowering. By adding the possibility of producing hydrogen to hydropower plants, we are taking the next step and also making the energy generated there ready for export and storage without restriction. Together with MAN Energy Solutions, we can open up new markets and opportunities for the operators.” Cost-effective manner The installed electrolysis output is expected to increase to up to 100 MW in the coming years Uwe Lauber: “The economy of the future will be climate-neutral, and to achieve this it needs huge quantities of green hydrogen. Together with ANDRITZ Hydro, we want to make this resource available. Hydropower plants are ideal for generating hydrogen in a completely climate-neutral, reliable, and cost-effective manner. With ANDRITZ Hydro, we have been able to enter into a partnership with a world leader in the field of hydraulic power generation, to develop these prospects together with us.” The companies are aiming to launch an initial joint pilot project before the end of this year to provide about 650 tons of green hydrogen by using an electrolysis output of up to 4 MW, initially for local use. In follow-up projects, designed for the export of hydrogen, the installed electrolysis output is expected to increase to up to 100 MW in the coming years. Flexible electrolysis technology Frank Mette: “MAN Energy Solutions contributes scalable and, above all, flexible electrolysis technology to this partnership, along with many years of experience in power-to-X technology and plant engineering. Together, we will tap growth markets for hydrogen in Europe and worldwide, including for the production of green hydrogen, which can then be imported by German consumers.” Through H-TEC SYSTEMS, the electrolysis specialist owned by MAN Energy Solutions, the company offers PEM electrolysis technology. In locations such as Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein, stacks and megawatt electrolyzers based on the polymer-electrolyte membrane process (PEM) are developed by around 85 specialists of H-TEC SYSTEMS to cover the hydrogen demand for industry as well as for energy refiners.

Alfa Laval Ltd appoints WHP as their authorised integrator

Hygienic fluid handling technology pioneer Alfa Laval announces WHP as its latest authorised integrator, helping enhance the sustainability of the engineering solutions provider’s operations. The new partnership is the latest in a long relationship between the two companies, with knowledge being shared to manage customers’ environmental impact. By working with Alfa Laval, WHP’s clean room, clean manufacturing solutions and complex process systems will gain further visibility with the organisation’s target audiences. Turnkey process packages “This development is the latest in our strategy to expand our distribution and integration operations within the UK market,” said Leonardo Morabito, Business Unit Manager, Hygienic Fluid Handling at Alfa Laval UK and Ireland. “WHP has a sterling reputation as a world-class leader in supply and design services across a number of industries, standing out for its ability to offer ‘clean room’ managed environments and turnkey process packages. As the only authorised Alfa Laval partner within key markets, we look forward to offering WHP support providing their clients with comprehensive engineering solutions, and further strengthening our ongoing relationship.” Reducing carbon footprint This commitment has translated into the company recycling 98% of all waste produced A specialist in the modular design and turnkey projects for cleanroom construction, laboratories, R&D and suites or facilities for containment and evaluation, Gateshead-based WHP provide end-to-end design-and-build services to clients varying from blue-chips to start-ups. Following its ongoing commitment to responsible business and corporate sustainability, the engineering firm has put further reducing its carbon footprint at the forefront of its priorities. This commitment has translated into the company recycling 98% of all waste produced and reducing energy consumption by 20% over the last 12 months, alongside ISO 14001:2015 accreditation and the implementation of a mature Environmental Management System. As well as this, WHP strives to design sustainable facilities with careful consideration to materials chosen, power and water usage use, and indoor air quality. Best engineering solutions The company’s attainment of authorised integrator status is the latest in its steps to developing its sustainability strategy, and promote eco-conscious development and behaviours in its customers, workforce and larger supply chain. WHP can now make further use of Alfa Laval’s extensive in-house experience to provide internal and external upskilling, and deliver more sustainable and efficient designs to the sectors in which it operates. Ian Lichfield, CEO of WHP, added: “WHP has a long trading history with Alfa Laval and I am delighted that we are now the Alfa Laval Authorised Partner for the pharma and healthcare markets we serve. We are thrilled to be aligned with such an internationally recognised brand that stands for quality, and I am looking forward to working closely with the Alfa Laval team to enable WHP to offer customers the best engineering solutions and the highest levels of technical support.”

Kongsberg Digital adds BunkerPlanner software by BunkerMetric to the Kognifai Marketplace

Kongsberg Digital has signed a partnership agreement with BunkerMetric to add their BunkerPlanner software application to the Kognifai Marketplace. Designed to support ship operators in making optimal bunker purchasing decisions by helping to choose ports, volume and fuel grade for bunkering, BunkerPlanner by BunkerMetric can be used to minimise costs whilst taking relevant operational, commercial and regulatory factors into consideration. By using BunkerPlanner, Vessel Insight subscribers can expect cost savings of 2-4% on bunker operations, which, for a vessel burning 20 tons of fuel per day and sailing 250 days a year, translates to potential annual savings of USD 20-80,000 per vessel. The ROI is usually within a few months of operation. Benefitting vessel insight subscribers Bunker planning is a complex puzzle for shipowners while navigating operational, commercial and regulatory constraints “We are happy to welcome BunkerMetric’s BunkerPlanner as a new partner application on the Kognifai Marketplace,” says Eirik Næsje, Senior Vice President of Vessel Insight, Kongsberg Digital. “The BunkerPlanner application by BunkerMetric will benefit Vessel Insight subscribers with almost immediate effect by helping them choose the right bunker port, volume and grade. Bunker planning is a complex puzzle for shipowners, especially when navigating all operational, commercial and regulatory constraints. Having an application to incorporate these factors in the decision-making process can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of Vessel Insight subscribers making the wrong choice for bunkering.” Integration BunkerPlanner integrates with Kognifai and other relevant data sources, such as port call costs and the daily bunker market, to develop a specific bunker plan for each vessel based on calculations made from the contextualised data. A daily email communicates BunkerMetric’s recommendations to the fleet, showing vessels’ priority for bunkering. Additionally, customers can use a web interface to review plan details, access information on prices and run new scenarios at any time. In-depth understanding BunkerMetric’s BunkerPlanner models a vast number of recommendations, taking into account business rules such as commingling of fuels on board, time charter costs vs. costs for speeding up when choosing bunker ports, quarantine constraints, congestion in bunker ports, barge costs, port call costs and many others. By considering these details while taking a holistic view of costs, BunkerMetric can provide better, more authoritative recommendations. Incorporation of finance and data Operators and bunker buyers navigating in the market need good tools provided by BunkerPlanner, based on data by Kongsberg “We are excited that the combination of wealth and accuracy of data from KONGSBERG’s Vessel Insight and BunkerPlanner’s detailed calculations for bunker buyers will give direct and significant savings to our joint subscribers,” says Christian Plum, CEO, BunkerMetric. “The complexities of buying and burning bunkers are ever-growing, with new rules such as ECA Zones, 0.5% Sulphur limit and no-scrubber zones coming into force in the last few years. In the future, we will see EEXI, CII and wider adoption of new fuel types. Operators and bunker buyers navigating in this market need good tools such as those as provided by BunkerPlanner, based on good data provided by KONGSBERG.” BunkerPlanner by BunkerMetric will be available for Vessel Insight subscribers on the Kognifai Marketplace from June 8th, 2021.