The winners of 2022 SMART4SEA Awards announced

The winners of the 2022 SMART4SEA Virtual Awards are:

Wärtsilä Voyage received the 2022 SMART4SEA E-Navigation Award for its ‘Wärtsilä BridgeMate’ providing situational awareness, decision support and docking aid via one app, as part of the Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) integrated operations and navigation platform. This is a smart back-up and decision support tool to enhance safety and efficiency onboard. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Singapore Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS), Hamburg Port Authority, Ports of Auckland and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.

Accepting the award, Mr. Vladimir Kolyada, Solutions Manager, FOS (Fleet Operations Solution), Wärtsilä Voyage, stated:

It is an honor to have been recognized for our dedication to simplify the everyday life of seafarers, and help them keep an eye on everything at all times. Wärtsilä FOS also addresses the trend towards maritime digitalization, while providing shipowners with support for integration with ECDIS. All this could not have been possible without the dedication of our highly-skilled team.

Sustainability is gaining a stronger foothold in the maritime industry with ever increasing need for data and reporting. Wärtsilä Voyage is taking on this challenge and reduces the need for manual administrative work, to ensure compliance to key environmental standards and navigational safety without additional effort. That is possible by using Wärtsilä BridgeMate which provides situational awareness, decision support and docking aid. With only one app, operators can get a smart extra back-up bridge station in case of emergency and enhance safety with navigational hazards warnings. Also, with Wärtsilä BridgeMate, operators can get all the information from AIS infrastructure onboard and receive information about vessel’s movement. When on the bridge, a Wi-Fi connection to the ECDIS / Planning and Data Management station is required to keep your BridgeMate up and running. Cyber security is ensured via the certified firewall. When offline, the application operates via the built-in GPS (in case of the main navigational system blackout. Wärtsilä BridgeMate is part of the Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) an integrated operations and navigation platform to optimize every movement of the entire fleet. FOS onboard provides a fully transparent navigational infrastructure and intelligent automation. It increases efficiency and improves safety, enhances equipment maintenance and operational processes.

Marlink received the 2022 SMART4SEA Connectivity Award for its ‘‘Network of Networks’ standalone solution that supports digitalization by combining satellite signals from GEO, LEO, MEO, 4/5G and WiFi service providers into one seamless service. Marlink’s solution supported the first voyage of Le Commandant Charcot polar exploration ship, operated by PONANT. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Columbia Shipmanagement, Kongsberg Digital, Navarino and UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO).

Accepting the award, Mr. Tore Morten Olsen, President,Maritime, Marlink, commented:

We are very proud on what we are able to bring to our clients in terms of connectivity and solutions. Today there are a number of choices, but no single satellite operator has an optimal solution for any of the maritime market we serve, whether it is the merchant market, the cruise or the energy market. We really enjoy to work together with our clients to understand their existing and future needs and then build the best network in the industry to serve those needs.

Consistent connectivity designed for the challenges of digitalisation does not come from a single satellite provider alone. This realisation drove Marlink to create the ‘Network of Networks’ as a standalone solution. The solution supports digitalisation by combining satellite signals from GEO, LEO, MEO, 4/5G and WiFi service providers into one seamless service. No other integrator can offer similar depth and range of satellite and connectivity providers within a single network. Marlink demonstrated the Network of Networks concept in support of the first voyage by polar exploration ship Le Commandant Charcot, operated by PONANT. Le Commandant Charcot features a new level of connectivity, enhancing the experience for guests and keeping them connected when at extreme latitudes. Marlink also deployed the Network of Networks concept for Scorpio Shipmanagement, upgrading bandwidth to meet an increasing level of business need for higher data rates and usage volumes. Scorpio ‘s fleet of 150 vessels will now be able to satisfy current and future requirements from charterers and regulators, while also providing cost-efficient crew communications. Constructed as a bespoke service, each network reflects the market vertical it serves and the specific demands of the vessel operator.

WinGD received the 2022 SMART4SEA Energy Efficiency Award for offering advanced hybrid solutions that surpass IMO’s 2030 carbon intensity targets, meet EEXI reduction requirements and safeguard strong performance. For example, WinGD’s LNG-battery configuration is expected to cut overall CO2 equivalent emissions by around 40% operating on heavy fuel oil. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: ABS, DeepSea Technologies, Propulsion Analytics and Weathernews.

On behalf of WinGD, Mr. Stefan Goranov, Program Portfolio Manager – Digital & Hybrid said:

Across the shipping industry we are united by urgent calls to reduce the impact of climate change. Together with our customers and business customers, this responsibility affects some of the biggest decisions we face. The complexity of this landscape requires full guidance and expertise. In WinGD for the last years we have been engaging with our customers on a journey to maximize the efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of their operations.

Over the past few years WinGD has evolved from a leading designer of two-stroke engines into an integrator of marine power systems, capable of designing hybrid configurations that incorporate alternative power sources, such as batteries charged by wind, solar, cold ironing. WinGD’s development of hybrid solutions has involved building a new team with digital, control, and electrical engineering skillsets. Now WinGD can now offer energy and propulsion arrangements that surpass IMO’s 2030 targets, meet EEXI reduction requirements and safeguard strong performance for the forthcoming Carbon Intensity Indicator. WinGD’s debut system integration contract, with NYK Line, is an example of the benefits that can be achieved. WinGD will integrate hybrid energy systems on four new LNG-fuelled car carriers. Combined with other ship design enhancements, the LNG-battery configuration is expected to cut overall CO2 emissions by around 40% compared to conventionally powered vessels operating on HFO. WinGD believes that the low-speed two-stroke engines will remain at the heart of any hybrid energy configuration for deep-sea merchant vessels. WinGD brings unrivaled expertise in these engines, incorporating batteries, shore power interfaces, solar or wind power generation, fuel cells, frequency converters and energy management systems. The hybridisation and system integration offering developed by WinGD marks a step-change in the company’s technology offering. Furthermore, it dramatically improves access to energy efficiency for ships previously relying solely on two-stroke marine engines.

Navarino received the 2022 SMART4SEA Cyber Security Award for offering a complete portfolio of maritime cyber security services, featuring Angel, which is for vessel cyber security and Angel Office, which is a 24×7 Cyber Security Defense solution, completely dedicated to monitor and respond to threats and attacks in our customer’s shore-based offices. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: ABS, CyberOwl, Cydome and GTMaritime.

Accepting the award, Mr. Alexandros Giouzenis, Chief Technical Officer, Navarino, stated:

The decentralization which maritime in undergoing is making cyber security ever more important. This is something that Navarino recognized early and dedicated considerable resources in order to help make the industry as safe as possible. While there are many cyber security solutions out there, we have focused on the essence of the service making it simple to use and deploy, in order to make the lives of maritime IT departments as easy as possible.

In 2021, Navarino made several enhancements to its portfolio of maritime cyber security services in response to the evolving needs of operators. Navarino’s cyber security service, Angel has been accredited with DNV’s Type Approval, namely DNV’s Cyber Secured ‘Advanced’ notation. This means that Angel is designed to meet IMO resolution MSC. 428 (98), to ensure that even the most complex ships are cyber secure and to protect against intentional violations. Angel brings several advantages to the maritime community as it provides a dedicated Security Operations Centre to ensure less risk of cyber security threats and proof of cyber security resilience for vessels. Also, Angel offers increased charter probability due to better vetting score from charterers and oil majors. In addition to Angel, which is for vessel cyber security, Navarino has introduced Angel Office, a 24×7 Cyber Security Defense solution, completely dedicated to monitor and respond to threats and attacks. The Angel Office team is staffed with cyber-security analysts and engineers who oversee security. Navarino’s Angel services are offered together with Neurosoft, an extremely well-established Greek security firm responsible for the cyber security of major companies.

Mintra received the 2022 SMART4SEA Training Award for offering new extensive Maritime Course Library, ensuring training can be carried out both online and offline, onshore as well as onboard the vessel, including also ECIDS type specific training (manufacturer approved) which can be carried out onboard. Mintra is certified by DNV as a Maritime Training Centre. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: NSBacademy, OneLearn Global, Seably and V.Group.

On behalf of Mintra, Mr. Gareth Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer, commented:

A major project like this – to create a viable, low carbon and cost-efficient digital learning solution – involved a huge number of people, including clients, trade organisations, SMEs and, of course, our own highly skilled team of instructional designers, multi-media developers and quality assurance testers. We’re extremely proud of what we’ve created. It’s a solution that both supports the industry on its digital journey and makes maritime a safer place for millions of seafarers.

Mintra is a new player to the Maritime Industry, however the company has delivered online training to the Oil & Gas Industry for more than 20 years. Mintra now offers a new extensive Maritime Course Library, where the latest technology has been used together with highly qualified subject matter experts developing the courses. Mintra’s expanded library addressed the full scope of seafarers’ training needs. Mintra’s new technology ensures training can be carried out both online and offline, onshore and onboard. Among a wide range of maritime courses, the company also provides ECIDS type specific training (manufacturer approved) which can be carried out onboard. The new courses represent 66 hours of additional maritime online learning content and cover a wide range of safety, regulatory, operational and technical subjects. The library also includes soft skills courses – abilities which are growing in demand given smaller crews and increased automation. A number of the courses have been STCW accredited by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). Mintra is a DNV Approved Maritime Training Provider, has management systems approved by Bureau Veritas and is accredited by organisations including ECITB, OPITO, CPD and RoSPA.

MacGregor received the 2022 SMART4SEA Technology Award for developing OnWatch Scout (OWS), a service which uses data analytics to help shipowners and operators develop more proactive and condition-based intelligent strategies for maintenance. The OnWatch algorithm offers reliable predictions of equipment performance, that enables timely maintenance planning. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: Kongsberg Digital, M2Intelligence, Sea Machines and Wärtsilä Voyage.

Accepting the award, Mr. Dennis Mol, Vice President, Digitalisation and Business Transformation, MacGregor, said:

MacGregor plays a vital role in an operation, preventing downtime and advising on maintenance. I am thrilled that our customers acknowledged our work and have embraced our efforts. I would also like to thank our partners for their trust and patience to develop their businesses together with us and to pilot new technology on their vessels.

In response to industry’s challenges, MacGregor developed OnWatch Scout (OWS), a service which uses data analytics to help operators develop more proactive and condition-based intelligent strategies for maintenance. Using a unique combination of MacGregor’s experience in marine equipment engineering, advanced monitoring, and machine learning and artificial intelligence expertise, the OnWatch algorithm offers reliable predictions of equipment performance. OnWatch enables timely maintenance planning to prevent faults, maximise availability and minimise unscheduled downtime. Alongside its ability to predict failures, OWS reduces maintenance time when an incident occurs. MacGregor’s in-house experts have analysed every possible alert to provide advice, including step-by-step instructions, illustrations, spare-parts recommendations and related documents. Available round the clock via the OWS platform and covering over 1,500 alarms depending on the type of equipment, MacGregor’s guidance saves a considerable amount of time in maintenance and repair activities. Through built-in edge-computing functionality, the OWS software solution and its predictive algorithms can run for an extended period without internet connectivity on board the vessel. OWS is on board a growing number of customer vessels, with references including Load Line Marine, North Sea Shipping, MMA Offshore and Eidesvik.

Manish Singh, CEO, OCEAN Technologies Group, received the 2022 SMART4SEA Personality Award, sponsored by MacGregor, for taking outstanding action to shape the vision of digitalization within the maritime industry, investing in partnering relationships with key stakeholders and acquiring further capabilities and digital technologies to deliver new maritime solutions. Mr. Singh is a third-generation seafarer and an experienced shipmanager who has served as a Director at V.Group for many years and also held the position of CEO at Seagull and Videotel before joining OCEAN Technologies Group.

Accepting the award Mr. Manish Singh recognised the acceleration of technology adoption over the pandemic:

It has been a privilege to serve the industry at a time when it is entering a period of unprecedented change. Over the years we have seen the industry respond, improvise and prevail over the challenges that covid and the associated disruptions have thrown at us. We have made progress leaps and bounds in terms of creating future-ready digital ecosystems that allow our shore based and sea going colleagues to work despite the disruptions that we are now finding commonplace.

Manish Singh is currently the Chief Executive Officer of OCEAN Technologies Group. He was born in India, in a seafaring family. He has obtained Master Mariner CoC and MBA at Cranfield University. As a 3rd generation seafarer himself, Manish has placed the seafarer at the heart of OCEAN Technologies Group’s product evolution and brings an extensive industry network across all maritime regions and cultures. Following seagoing experience on various wet and dry tonnage types, Manish held senior management responsibilities in marine services and ship management businesses. In that time, he helped refine the operating models involving crew management, ship management and technical support services. Before joining OCEAN, he served as a Director at V.Group for many years and has been the Chairman of Cambridge Academy of Transport. In 2019, Manish was appointed as CEO of Seagull and Videotel. In his role as CEO of Seagull and Videotel, he entered into closer partnerships with customers and facilitated investment in 3D animation and the adoption of gaming technology. Manish Singh has an established track record for forging strategic partnerships and mergers with complementary marine services businesses.

Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink received the 2022 SMART4SEA Leadership Award, sponsored by Macgregor, for setting the example for a change of mindset on IT within the maritime industry, by developing IT Link, Marlink’s digital enablement strategy which allows shipping companies to develop, test and deploy IT solutions fleetwide in a secure way. Mr. Olsen is leading a global player in maritime connectivity, moving the industry towards its goal of digitalized, decarbonized and cyber-secure operation.

Accepting the award, Mr. Tore Morten Olsen said:

I am so lucky to be at the helm of an entity that has, for a long time, focused on building the best maritime network solutions in the industry. With that consistent strategy we are helping our customers meet their zero emissions targets or at least getting closer to it, meeting IMO regulations, and really working with them to understand how they can make the world a better place for all of use. The achievements of Marlink in this sector are only due to the people of the Marlink organization and to our customers that help us innovate together with them.

Tore Morten Olsen has 25 years of experience in the satellite communications sector working for Telenor, Astrium Services/Airbus Defence and Space and Marlink. He began his career in 1994 as a technical product manager and moved into the commercial field responsible for the governmental market sector in 1997. In 1999, Tore Morten moved to Slovakia to lead the international satellite communications activities of Telenor. In 2004, he returned to Norway to take responsibility of Telenor Satellite Networks AS. He held several senior positions within the company. Following the establishment of Vizada, Tore Morten took responsibility of the Maritime VSAT and Mobile Satellite Services retail activities operating under the Marlink brand. In 2016, he became President Maritime of Marlink leading the provision of smart maritime solutions to more than 20,000 vessels, including the world’s leading maritime operators. Under Tore Morten’s leadership, Marlink’s Maritime division has set the standard for provision of smart network solutions, building an intelligent hybrid network using smart edge delivery platform for a growing range of digital solutions. Tore Morten holds an MSc in Telecommunications from the Norwegian Technical University and has participated in Executive MBA programs both at Wharton Business School in the United States, INSEAD in France and Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden.

EXPLORE MORE ABOUT THE 2022 SMART4SEA AWARDS HERE