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The Future of Ship Systems to be Smarter with Ship Bridge Simulators

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Carriers, Ocean Ports

The Future of Ship Systems to be Smarter with Ship Bridge Simulators

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The maritime industry is not new to the simulation technique and has, in reality, been using this technique in automation as well as numerous other applications. The rising implementation of advanced technologies & automation in the maritime sector has surged the need for ship bridge simulators. The Asia-pacific region has rising passenger traffic and massive import & export businesses; as a result, the region is likely to be in major need of marine systems equipped with ship bridge simulators.

The maritime sector is transiting toward autonomy by enabling assistance in navigation and decision support systems using simulations. At some point in time, if two autonomous vessels crafted by different producers come across each other, how will these vessels communicate? How intricate will the navigation be? Will the ships discuss intricate navigational maneuvers? Will the two autonomous systems be able to communicate in a proper way? Simulation or formulating mathematical models to impersonator trustworthy real-world effects can offer numerous solutions to these questions.

The marine industry is not new to the simulation technique and has, in reality, been using this technique in automation as well as numerous other applications. For example, simulation is used for coaching squads for new vessels before these vessels delivered for crane management and towing in seaports to check loopholes in ship systems and other purposes. For years, simulators are extensively used in training and certification mainly in the Maritime Education and Training (MET). They are used in numerous areas of the marine sector including cargo handling, crane operations, system control, offshore operation training on ships, bridge operations, and towing & anchor handling. Such a wide range of applications of simulators has propelled their demand in recent years. A report by Research Dive reveals that the global ship bridge simulator market growth is expected to skyrocket and the market is anticipated to garner significant revenue in the upcoming years.

Alexander Ozersky, the Deputy Director-Intellectual Systems at Wärtsilä Voyage Solutions, believes that simulation is a technique that permits to do mistakes without triggering any severe outcomes in the real world. A vessel can need nearly ten years to develop or redesign its system. However, by making use of simulation techniques one is able to do it more quickly, more safely, and at a reasonable price. This is why a simulation-based method was used to attest to the functionality of COLREGS (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) in Wärtsilä Navi-Harbour vessel traffic management system with ClassNK, a global leader in ship classification.

Panorama of the Ship Bridge Simulator Market:

There is a tremendous need for skilled ship operators or watch captains on a vessel for directing navigation, map plotting, weather monitoring, fire management, observation, search, and operation rehearsals. Also, there has been significant development in war systems and technologies; for example, electronic as well as network-centric wars use ship bridge simulators for testing systems. In addition, the rising implementation of advanced technologies & automation in the marine sector has surged the need for ship bridge simulators. Moreover, strict rules issued by maritime lawmakers for proficient coaching of electronic war workforces have propelled the demand for ship bridge simulators in recent years. All these factors portray that the global ship bridge simulator market is accelerating at a rapid pace and is expected to reach significant heights in the coming years.

In the past few years, ship makers have observed that the virtual reality simulation is considerably more proficient than conventional marine simulator training. In virtual simulation devices, a helmet is used that shows a video and is assimilated with sound effects and simulation sensor systems. With these sensors, the virtual simulation helmet can detect activities of the user’s extremities. The incorporation of such advanced technologies is opening doors to lavishing opportunities for market growth.

The Asia-pacific region has rising passenger traffic and massive import & export businesses. As a result, the region is likely to be in major need of marine systems and hence, be a major revenue contributor for the market growth. On the other hand, the North American region is projected to stand at a second position in terms of growth in the ship bridge simulator market. This is majorly owing to the stringent regulations issued by the governments in the region for upholding standard security. The LAMEA region is foreseen to witness continuous growth due to the evolving marine trades in these regions.

The Lookout of the Market during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has struck the maritime industry with various unprecedented challenges that hampered its supply chain and compelled quicker implementation of digital technologies in numerous areas of maritime operations, including the area of MET. As the virus was capable to multiply at a rapid pace with person-to-person interaction, several processes that need the physical presence of working personnel have been either postponed or limited for averting human mobility, as a protection measures against the COVID-19 virus. The termination of physical training programs, lockdown, and travel restrictions have triggered several difficulties for seafarers to obtain or uphold their certificates of proficiency. As the MET industry is also experiencing various challenges in ensuring the endurance of the MET activities, and in coping and adapting to the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ship bridge simulator market growth is expected to decline to a certain extent until the pandemic relaxes.

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Aishwarya Korgaonkar holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the esteemed Mumbai University. Being creative and artistic, she leaped into the field of digital marketing and content writing. Her love for words makes her write creative and spellbinding content that adds colors to the world.

IMO 2020
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

IMO 2020: Understanding the Impact of Cutting Sulphur Oxide Emissions

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As global shippers prepare for the busy season approaching, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has a new international regulation scheduled to begin the first of January. IMO 2020 is a regulation designed to reduce Sulphur oxide emissions from ships, which will reduce the harmful impact of the shipping industry’s byproduct fuel emissions. Lower sulfur emissions will improve air quality in port cities as well as lessen ocean acidification. With roughly four months remaining before the regulation is implemented, trans-ocean logistics companies are urging vessel owners to plan accordingly so they are not fined for surpassing the Sulphur limit specifications. 

The IMO 2020 regulation applies to all ships on international and domestic voyages. New IMO compliant fuels are being created, but due to limited supply and high demand, the price of the new fuel is expected to fluctuate. These additional costs can create a trickle-down effect, which has the potential to affect both vessel owners and shippers. Shippers will most likely find the cost of ocean transportation increasing as the marine sector must utilize these more costly fuels.

RTM Lines a respected trans-ocean transportation company providing, knowledgeable, cost-effective and professional expertise in the ocean transportation industry is committed to assisting our clients to navigate these changes. The new IMO 2020 regulation will affect the entire industry including a variety of vessel operators by reducing acceptable fuel sulfur content from 3.5% to 0.5%.  “Even the smallest amount of Sulphur will subject vessels to a fine or the ship will be pulled out of trade,” said Richard Tiebel, Head of Operations at RTM Lines. “The more proactive vessel owners are about reducing the amount of Sulphur there is in the fuel, the fewer problems they will have to deal with when the IMO 2020 regulations are in effect.” 

“Fuel treatment remains the most effective way to address compliance. However, fuel treatment is in short supply, so we will likely see higher costs for this service, ultimately coming out of the consumer’s pocket. Another solution is flushing of the tanks; this is costly in more ways than one as it has the potential to put a vessel out of commission for a significant amount of time. When weighing their options, shippers should consider capacity, as non-compliant vessels will be pulled out of service or denied entry at certain ports.” Tiebel said. 

Freight costs are already showing signs of an unpredictable landscape. Tiebel shared that, “A $20 difference between IFO 380 bunker and marine gas oil, adds an additional $2.50 per freight ton to breakbulk shipments on a booking note basis. Current and future bunker prices will be based on web-based bunker platform reports which will be provided along with the freight invoice.” In other words, shippers are starting to see an added invoice to charges previously quoted simply due to fuel changes. Furthermore, these charges are covered with right to adjust at time of quotation, time of loading, and at time of discharge.” 

Although the IMO 2020 regulation, has the potential to be more expensive, it can drastically reduce pollution in the environment. The move beyond traditional shipping fuels will transform the ocean shipping industry. These changes in the industry, though challenging, can make a significantly reduction in emissions and create a positive impact on the environment.

“I believe once IMO 2020 is implemented, it’s going to help the environment tremendously. Compliance will be a big step in bringing our industry up to date in protecting the marine environment we utilize. It is the key ingredient not only in ocean transport but in our lives and those of our families.” Tiebel concludes. 

africa
Archives, Global Shippers 101, Global Trade Daily

RTM LINES PROVIDES INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO AFRICA’S COMPLEX CARGO CHALLENGES

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Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, and boasting 38 years of trans-ocean transportation, RTM Lines continues its position as a major player among global ocean carriers. RTM Lines’ initial focus was rolling stock. Over the years the carrier added competence in breakbulk, FCL and project cargo management. Comprehensive global knowledge as well as in-depth understanding of local customs and regulations allow RTM Lines to provide innovative solutions to the complex cargo challenges facing Africa and the world today.

“We are niche players and have been doing this for many years,” says RTM’s Vice President Richard Tiebel, adding, “We know who the suppliers are, what their requirements are, how their operations work, and they know what RTM can do. They appreciate our thorough understanding of the business. Our in-house responsiveness and assistance with planning and preparation on difficult loads are what sets us apart.”

“At RTM, customers and suppliers will always be able to speak with a representative who has a working knowledge of their shipments from end to end. Our clients appreciate this and keep coming back to us with their projects and shipments year after year. I love what we do, it is an exciting industry, every shipment is unique, and ocean transport is essential to global trade.”

More recently, RTM has invested efforts in learning about untapped global opportunities, specifically within African infrastructure and breakbulk. Among the continents, Africa presents resources and opportunities in regions such as Ethiopia, Northern Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, these same regions don’t come without unique challenges to navigate. As RTM’s vice president, Tiebel understands that before tapping into this market as he knows one must first understand both its potential and roadblocks that are found within the political and economic environments.

“Right now, the DRC is sitting on some of the world’s largest natural cobalt resource, but because of political turmoil, it makes it that much harder to get this cobalt,” Tiebel observes. “Africa has a reputation of political/government instability, so if a project was approved by one political party, throughout the life of a project it could experience some instability or complete regime changes. Certainly, this will be a big risk because if a government changes overnight, this market could change overnight. You may have a license for an exploration of a resource, and then the next government could have a different plan.”

Furthermore, Tiebel shared the importance of local knowledge as a driver behind success in international markets, such as Africa. Reiterating the company’s core value of local expertise, RTM places an emphasis on all players involved in the shipping and trading process.

“Africa is showing the exponential growth of any other continent,” Tiebel says. “Right now, markets like Ethiopia have shown eight percent GDP growth, per annum. Taking a deep dive and analyzing what is driving this growth there are a number of things within urbanization, ICT (telecommunications) and the extractives industry (oil, gas and mining).”

Diving even deeper into the region’s shifts and opportunities, Tiebel highlights key areas that need attention and research for successful utilization and navigation.

“In the next four to five years, city populations will double. This places a lot of pressure for infrastructure and the need to develop. Right now, most cities weren’t built for these amounts of people. That in of itself is an amazing opportunity, because it places a need on power, water and sanitation, housing developments, and around that the buildup of industries for support to serve these populations.”

He continues: “Most governments couldn’t support fixed-line infrastructures, but now Africa is going through an ICT revolution. Now the private sector is supporting this revolution and its allowing Africans to conduct business in a normal way, using technology. Companies like Microsoft have been investing in some African tech sectors, to develop talent and to take Africa forward.”

“Additionally, Africa has a lot of stranded resources in the middle of nowhere, no infrastructure whatsoever. The gas in Northern Mozambique is the world’s 12th largest natural gas resource. A lot of infrastructure will need to be built in order to get this gas, because the town itself is very small and barely has roads to it, no port, no airport or even power and electricity. The town of Palma will literally be built up in order to access this gas resource offshore.”

As African regions maintain a position of opportunity, industry players must continue to provide regular service at a good price by MPV conveyance while anticipating shifts, according to Tiebel. As IMO 2020 draws closer, he shared his perspective on how Africa’s natural resources could potentially offset some of the unidentified challenges to come.

“The cost of the IMO’s regulatory change on the shipping industry in unknown, but every analyst expects it to be large. As well as shipping lines, the IMO’s decision will also impact refiners, crude producers, bunker suppliers and emissions and air quality affecting the health of millions of people. With Africa sitting on many different natural resources and this new emergence of investment to extract these resources, hopefully these resources in Africa will help with the industry with the spike in fuel costs, in 2020.”

Bringing the conversation back to the core of the RTM difference, Tiebel positions the local community and its needs as a priority before changes can take place in unpredictable and shifting markets. This further confirms the company’s continued success and robust, satisfied customer base. RTM Lines is a prime example of what it takes to conduct global operations while catering to a variety of customer needs. Instead of limiting customers, RTM provides its customers timely options.

“The issue with Africa is it’s a place with a lot of internal issues that need to be dealt with,” Tiebel concludes. “To get things done, one must have local knowledge and knowing the local people to get things moving. Without local knowledge and understanding what people need, you won’t be able to move on.”