V.Group is to launch a new app for seafarers, alongside the opening of an upgraded training centre in Manila, to improve crewing performance and assist in planning as part of its Project Embark programme.

Kongsberg Digital reports that it has been selected to deliver and support a package of ship’s bridge simulators for the Royal Australian Navy, to be used to reduce the costs associated with qualifying bridge watch keepers and other staff before going to sea.

Product and chemical tanker operator Ardmore Shipping is to implement the SEDNA platform to manage e-mail and team collaboration operations across its global commercial desks, including its operations, chartering and commercial finance teams.

Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) has announced that it has entered into new agreements with DNV GL, the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) and the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) to work on the development of autonomous shipping technologies and new regulatory frameworks.

KVH Videotel and OMS-VR have signed a letter of intent to enter into an exclusive agreement to produce and distribute VR (virtual reality) maritime training systems.

Executives surveyed for a new research whitepaper by maritime e-procurement platform ShipServ have rated electronic purchasing in the industry at “two out of ten” in terms of its evolution to date, though one third of respondents believe the market will change beyond all recognition in the next five years, driven by developments in advanced technology and applications.

Maritime software company Q88 reports that it has made a “substantial investment” in US-headquartered iMarine Software, the provider of the Cloud-based Seaproc e-procurement platform for the shipping industry.

SRH Marine Electronics and Inmarsat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see the companies collaborate on the management of ECDIS updates via Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband service.

Brittany Ferries is rolling out a full mobile ecosystem onboard its fleet of ferries and cruise ferries provided by Telenor Maritime, with the connectivity platform to include Wi-Fi, VSAT and mobile broadband backhaul.

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has confirmed that it has made a contribution to a new UK government-funded study on navigational requirements for autonomous maritime vessels, working on development of a prototype ‘Smart Chart’ navigational data system.