Tag: drones

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed what they call the first unmanned, fixed-wing aircraft, capable of traveling both through the air and underwater, transitioning repeatedly between sky and sea. The EagleRay XAV holds promise for use in applications such as tracking and observing wildlife.

A broad range of industries has been showing increased interest in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - or mostly known, drones- in last years, mainly due to the relaxation of stringent regulations around their use. The total addressable market for drone powered business operations is valued at over $127 bn, according to PwC estimates.

Digitalization asks for industries to redefine the way they operated, and even find completely new businesses to work with, said Maersk Tankers’ first Chief Digital Officer, Peter Schrøder. Utilising existing technologies can make a profound difference while leveraging partnerships from other industries to drive customer- and partner-centric digitalization, he noted.

USNI news informed that the Iranian drones in the Persian Gulf and other critical waterways around the Middle East, conducting surveillance flights close to US warships crossing the Strait of Hormuz and operating around the region, have increased. Overall, 14 unsafe and unprofessional interactions were reported in 2017 and 36 in 2016.

The Saildrones are solar and wind powered and can be at sea for up to a year at a time, assisting in science missions, such as stock assessments, uploading data from subsurface sensors or responding to marine emergencies.

Stena Bulk conducted a digital naming ceremony for its IMOIIMAX tanker 'Stena Immortal' at the company's new office in Hellerup in the north of Copenhagen. When the ship was named, it was not physically present in Copenhagen, but in Houston where it is already in service.

Port operator PSA Singapore will showcase its future port vision, with new technologies for the container terminals in Singapore, including amphibious drones, automated quay cranes, exoskeletons for port staff, and robotic arms for related container activities. 

Using a drone to connect the towline to an assisted vessel will drastically improve the safety margin of tug operations, as this will avoid the need for manoeuvring in the so-called danger zone, the company explains.

In a bid to respond to the industry-wide trend to use more unmanned technology, the Korean Register launches inspection services using drones, after collaboration and research conducted with the University of Gyeongnam Geochang. The drone inspection is expected to save time and money and will enhance workforce safety.

Following several trials using drones to survey cargo tanks of ships, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is developing the acceptance criteria for the usage of such remote inspection techniques on board Singapore-registered ships. The acceptance criteria will be ready by first quarter next year.