Global Hydrographic Innovation and Technology Laboratory Established in Singapore
Singapore and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) have launched the Joint IHO-Singapore Innovation and Technology Laboratory.The Laboratory seeks to optimize the resources of IHO Member States to harness and develop emerging technologies in the hydrographic domain that support safe maritime navigation and the protection of the marine environment. In accelerating innovation in the field of hydrography,
How Much Microplastic is in the Ocean?
How much microplastic is in the world's oceans? Twenty-four trillion pieces and counting, according to a recent study.A global team of oceanographers led by Kyushu University researchers have been sailing the open seas equipped with a tow net and flowmeter in an effort to create and publish the most detailed dataset to date for assessing the amount of microplastics in the world's oceans and their effects on marine life.
Dutch Offshore Service Firm Designs Renewables-powered Semi-submersible Mussel Farm
OOS Group, a Dutch-based offshore services company, known to Offshore Engineer readers for its semi-submersible heavy lift crane and accommodation vessels, has developed a semi-submersible mussel farm (SMF) to grow mussels in the North Sea. The SMF will also feature solar panels, wind turbines, and tidal turbines."Mussels are traditionally grown in sheltered waters such as the Oosterschelde and the Waddenzee.
Blogs
MTR100: Applications Available
13th Annual MTR100 set to publish in the July/August 2018 edition of Marine Technology Reporter -- the world's largest circulation b2b subsea publication. Top companies in the global subsea sector are invited to apply now for the "MTR100". Marine Technology Reporter's annual MTR100 awards edition is the subsea industry's most awaited annual ranking of the leading companies serving the global subsea industry.
Offshore Energy
PGS, Magseis Fairfield Team Up for Hybrid Towed Streamer and OBN Seismic Surveys
Offshore seismic services companies PGS and Magseis Fairfield have agreed to collaborate in the growing hybrid towed streamer and OBN seismic market. The hybrid market is defined as the simultaneous use of towed streamer and ocean bottom node acquisition technologies.The strategic collaboration has a global scope with an initial focus on the North Sea, and a duration of one year with options to extend by two plus two years.
Subsea Defense
MTR100: When it Comes to Drones, Big is Good. <1m is Better.
Over the last couple of decades, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) have become fully established work horses of ocean mapping and surveillance. That doesn’t mean there’s not room for some innovation. Elaine Maslin takes a look at some activity in the sub-1m collaborative drone market.New breeds of AUV are on their way. Some are bigger, but there’s also a host of companies developing small (<1m),
Unmanned Vehicles
World First: Saildrone Captures Video from inside a Cat 4 Hurricane
Saildrone Inc. and NOAA have released the first video footage gathered by an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) from inside a major hurricane barreling across the Atlantic Ocean.The Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 was directed into the midst of Hurricane Sam, a category 4 hurricane. SD1045 is battling 50 ft. waves and winds of more than 120 mph to collect scientific data, while giving a new view of one of earth’s most destructive forces.
Innovation
Greensea Inks Deal with Ocean Infinity
Greensea signed a contract with Ocean Infinity to collaborate and develop the Armada Dynamic Payloads Control software suite on OPENSEA. “Greensea is excited to collaborate with Ocean Infinity on this pioneering technology,” said Ben Kinnaman, Greensea CEO. “Their plan is the most radical shakeup to the way work has been done on and under the sea since ROVs were developed.
People
Robotics: Bringing Navigation Accuracy to Petroleum Tank Inspection
An autonomous robot outfitted with a DVL is looking to revolutionize fuel tank inspection – while eliminating potential operational hazards.Boston-based Square Robot has deployed Nortek’s Doppler Velocity Logs (DVLs) – already established in subsea applications – for this different and challenging environment, developing a robot that can provide detailed assessments of the conditions in above-ground petroleum storage tanks.
