3 minute read
Batteries on board
Kongsberg Digital announces CEO and MoU
As a new CEO joins the software firm, Kongsberg announces an MoU with an oil giant.
Software developer for maritime and oil and gas sectors Kongsberg Digital has appointed a CEO, the firm has announced.
Shane McArdle (below) steps into the job, replacing Hege Skryseth, who left to join Equinor last week. McArdle was formerly head of Digital Energy at the firm, where he has built a customer and product portfolio and ‘secured a leading global position’, Kongsberg says.
The software firm followed the announcement with another revelation a couple of days later – that they had joined forces with oil giant Shell ‘to help decarbonise the maritime industry’.
“The new partnership will see KDI bring its digital data infrastructure solutions, applications and open ecosystems together with Shell’s portfolio of technical and digital services, which improve performance and reduce running and maintenance costs for its marine customers,” says a statement – without giving details of what this will actually entail.
The statement did go on to say that Kongsberg already provides a digital twin for Shell on several of its assets, including the Nyhamna gas facility in Norway.
FULLY-ELECTRIC BATTERY FERRY DELIVERED
8 The zero-emission Wellingdorf
Dutch marine battery system supplier EST-Floattech has delivered 1092kWh of battery capacity for a new, fully-electric ferry in a contract with system integrator Holland Ship Electric.
The zero-emission Wellingdorf, the fifth in a series of six hybrid and fully-electric vessels for the German tug and ferry operator SFK, was designed and built by Holland Shipyards Group. The last vessel, Schilksee, is expected to be delivered in early 2026.
The 24.7 metre Wellingdorf can transport 140 pedestrians and 60 cyclists. The split battery system removes the need for a diesel engine and the propulsion system does not require power when moored, resulting in even lower energy consumption.
The vessel also has an automated electric-hydraulic mooring system and 20 solar panels on its roof to meet onboard power requirements.
Earlier this year Holland Shipyards Group, in collaboration with Holland Ship Electric and EST-Floattech, delivered the hybrid ferries Friedrichsort, Gaarden and WIK.
The series of six also includes the emission-free passenger ferry Dürstenbrook and is part of SFK’s fleet renewal plan focusing on lower environmental impact and upgraded services. This plan is tied to the City of Kiel’s environmental goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
MoU SIGNED FOR GREATER SECURITY
Tech companies have agreed to work together for better security.
British marine technology company Kraken Technology has signed an MoU with Thales to develop bespoke systems for Kraken’s maritime precision engagement platform.
The K50 has been developed for modern green-water security operations, and is just the first area of collaboration between the two firms.
“Further areas of collaboration and development will include the development of advanced composite high-performance craft, in addition to bespoke electric and advanced hybrid powertrain solutions, all of which will be built at a new advanced engineering and technology centre,” the firms say.
Thales will provide the ability to integrate a range of sensor and weapons equipment with scalable command and control, communication and networking systems.
“We are exceptionally pleased to be teaming with one of the most well-respected names in the defence and security industry and looking forward to working together to address the growing requirement for advanced powertrain and modular composite structure solutions for the precision engagement sector,” said Mal Crease, Founder and CEO of Kraken Technology Group.
INCAT CROWTHER BUILDS DINNER BOAT FOR SYDNEY
Land and marine tourism and public transport provider the Kelsian Group has launched a dinner cruise vessel built by Incat Crowther.
The Jackson can accommodate 700 passengers and 60 crew and was envisaged for dinner and cocktail-style events to be held in Sydney Harbour. From the design phase onwards, Kelsian and Incat worked together Kelsian general manager of Business Development Marine and Tourism Anthony Haworth said.
The Jackson has a steel hull and aluminium super structure engineered to navigate the waters of the harbour in an environmentally sensitive way, the firms say.
Inside it has ‘pillarless accommodation spaces’ with high ceilings, a multi-level galley configuration and integrated drainage, water, electricity and communications systems.
8 The Jackson dinner cruiser in Syd-
