Wärtsilä partners with CCS and Tianjin Port
(Posted on 30/11/21)
The intelligent marine technology company, Wärtsilä Voyage, has signed an MoU with the China Classification Society (CCS) and Tianjin Port to advance China’s intelligent vessel technology and deploy next-generation tugboat technology at one of the busiest ports in the world. The project’s scope includes delivering advanced situational awareness technology, and providing highly advanced digital simulators, which will significantly enhance and expedite vessel concept testing, including intelligent and autonomous algorithm testing, training, and safety. The next-generation intelligent tugboat is expected to begin operation in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The larger aim of the partnership is to enhance safety, productivity, and efficiency in China’s busy ports with intelligent vessels and smart sensor technology. Wärtsilä Voyage will, thus, also contribute to and support CCS in developing the first-of-its-kind intelligent vessels standards and guidelines for domestic vessels.
Wärtsilä Voyage will conduct systematic and human-centric user research to help optimise workflow and improve overall work performance and safety. Developing these intelligent ship standards will also involve establishing international collaboration and knowledge exchange on safety standards and best practices of such smart vessels.
“The signing of this MoU is incredibly significant as it elevates our relationship with CCS and Tianjin Port Group from a traditional supplier-customer relationship and towards a deeper and long-term strategic partnership. Considering the Port of Tianjin is one of the top ten busiest ports in the world, as well as its strategic importance in China’s shipping scape, this is an excellent pilot case which opens many other opportunities for collaborations in the region,” said Sean Fernback, President, Wärtsilä Voyage and Executive Vice President, Wärtsilä.
China and Finland jointly endorse the project under the China-Finland Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation MoU, and the China-Finland Flagship Project on Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Strategy, 2019-2023. The MoU was virtually signed on 25 November 2021 in the presence of the dignitaries from the Ambassador of Finland to China and the Ministry of Transportation, People’s Republic of China.
Asia has nine out of ten busiest ports in the world, and seven of those are in China. The Tianjin Port as a success case will thus offer an enormous opportunity to engage all other maritime ecosystem leaders.
Increasing traffic, congestion, the unpredictability of weather conditions and emissions have become major challenges for ports worldwide. During the pandemic, vessels in Asia had a waiting time of 5 to 7 days. All this has acted as catalysts for ports to adopt innovative technologies that help mitigate delays and disruptions. The Tianjin Port has stayed at the forefront of such technological innovations — be it becoming the world's first port to get approval for an autonomous driving demonstration zone with 25 unmanned electric trucks, to more recently unveiling the smart zero-carbon terminal that shows its commitment towards preserving the planet.
“This project complements our larger vision of safer and more sustainable port operations, as well as gives us the opportunity to explore further collaborations to enhance our smart port services in the future,” said Yang Jiemin, Vice President, Tianjin Port Group.
Latest News
Superior opens new manufacturing facility in Minnesota
(Posted on 20/11/24)Superior Industries, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and... Read more
Low-friction coatings set to improve RightShip GHG rating
(Posted on 20/11/24)RightShips’ EVDI methodology is familiar to most drybulk ship owners, with chartering customers... Read more
Great Lakes bulk carriers continue to “Thordonize”
(Posted on 12/11/24)Thordon Bearings has delivered its COMPAC water-lubricated propeller shaft bearing solution to the final... Read more
ShipMoney appoints Karen Martin as Global Brand Ambassador
(Posted on 12/11/24)ShipMoney, the innovative digital payments platform for the maritime industry, has announced the appointment... Read more
50 years of the Liebherr mobile harbour crane
(Posted on 04/11/24)The global market for mobile harbour cranes has seen Liebherr rise to prominence, thanks to the consistent... Read more
Breakthrough makes possible wireless monitoring of seawater-lubricated bearing wear
(Posted on 31/10/24)Thordon Bearings has unveiled a new wireless propeller shaft bearing wear measurement system, marking... Read more
Partnership to deliver integrated maritime solutions
(Posted on 31/10/24)Global HR, payroll, and crew management software specialist Adonis under the Ripple Operations brand... Read more
TwinShip aims to improve access to reliable data for aiding decarbonisation
(Posted on 26/10/24)A consortium, including technology group Wärtsilä, will develop a new system for the maritime... Read more
K Line to trial Inmarsat Maritime's new bonded network service
(Posted on 26/10/24)Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, have announced that “K&rdquo... Read more
First LPS 600 in Germany boosts logistics for J. MÜLLER
(Posted on 23/10/24)In order to remain ahead of its time, J. MÜLLER Weser GmbH & Co. KG has received the first... Read more
