The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published its liner shipping connectivity index (LSCI) for 2019, showing countries that have improved or worsened their positions in maritime transport networks.

Eckerö Linjen has chosen Telenor Maritime to provide high-speed internet access onboard its vessel, Eckerö, which operates between Grisslehamn, Sweden and the Åland islands situated between Sweden and Finland.

Shipment management software solutions provider, CargoSmart, has announced the execution of Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) Services Agreements with maritime industry operators CMA CGM, Cosco Shipping Lines, Cosco Shipping Ports, Hapag-Lloyd, Hutchison Ports, OOCL, Port of Qingdao, PSA International and Shanghai International Port Group.

Veson Nautical has announced that new features are being added to its a cloud solution for fleet management, Veslink IMOS Platform, to help users navigate the IMO’s 2020 Sulphur regulation.

A series of ten feeder ship newbuildings for a Taiwanese liner operator will include TotalWatch functionality for enhanced information display and option of remote diagnostics. 

Cloud-based maritime software provider Hanseaticsoft has launched a new app for its Cloud Fleet Manager - CFM Go - to make it easier and faster for customers to access relevant data about their fleet from their mobile phones.

Intellian and Hyundai Global Service (HGS) have signed a satellite communications agreement to support vessel performance optimisation and management.

An Internet of Things (IoT) platform known as SMARTShip, which enables the onboard operation of multiple systems with varying degrees of autonomy, has received type approval certification from ClassNK.

MAN Energy Solutions, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and HSD Engine (HSD) have agreed to cooperate in the field of marine engine systems digitisation.

The companies will define a framework for a future long-term strategic digital cooperation in the areas of marine engine solutions and auxiliary systems data, the collection and analysis of the data and the integration of it with smart ship platforms and intelligent diagnostic solutions.

“MAN Energy Solutions is determined to drive the digital transition of the marine industry”, said Brian Østergaard Sørensen, head of R&D 2-Stroke Business at MAN Energy Solutions. “We strongly believe that this transition can best be achieved through cooperation and collaboration including customers and providers across the industry. The agreement at hand is a step in this direction and brings together market leading expertise in the fields of shipbuilding and engine design, manufacturing and operation to explore options for a joint digital development in an important segment of the maritime market.”

K. Choi, head of DSME’s R&D Institute, commented: “DSME is conducting R&D activities to combine digital technology to various fields in shipbuilding including collaboration with marine engine makers.”

W. Park, head of design & R&D at HSD, stated: “Through this strategic cooperation agreement, HSD will share our own service experiences to DSME and MAN Energy Solution. Furthermore, we will also continue our role as a pioneer engine manufacturer in the field of smart ship in order to serve our customers a real-time monitoring service with remote supports through the advanced engine diagnosis technology and it will consequently give us safer and more economical engine operation accordingly.”

MAN Energy Solutions’ new digital platform, MAN CEON, will play a part in the companies’ transition to digital operations. The solution collects and evaluates operating and sensor data and enables the real-time monitoring of marine and power-plant engines, turbines and compressors.

“Digitisation is often reduced to a technical level but is really about providing more valuable services to our customers. Thanks to MAN CEON, we can provide our customers onshore and on-board with even more timely and insightful support in their daily operations, and optimise the availability and efficiency of their installations,” said Per Hansson, head of digital and strategy at MAN Energy Solutions.

The signing took place in Copenhagen.

Ship design and building services provider Ulstein and manufacturer of propulsion and steering systems Schottel have announced a new cooperation to deliver automated and digitalised services to the maritime industry.