Southampton maritime energy efficiency firm, Azurtane, has joined forces with the School of Media Arts and Technology at Solent University to leverage the skills of student game developers in a high precision kinematics (HPK), marine vessel docking project. The objective of the development work is to convert high precision positioning data generated by Azurtane’s HPK technology into a user interface that will enhance the vessel commander’s visualisation of the docking movements, reducing docking time and fuel consumption, as well as increasing safety.
Azurtane approached Solent University to ascertain if one of the programming degree courses utilised software that could be adapted to convert the positional data transmitted by Azurtane’s HPK into a highly visual digital twin – a screen or tablet interface that mimics the typical visual information available to a ship’s navigator when he or she is observing and managing docking manoeuvres.
“Our aim is to develop an intuitive, highly visual interface that presents positional information produced by our HPK in the most quickly assimilated way in order to make coming alongside easier for navigators on the bridge of a vessel,” Don Gregory, Azurtane’s MD says when explaining the concept for the vessel docking interface. “The students are taking the real time data from the HPK technology to produce an aerial 2D visualisation that acts as a navigation guide, displaying heading, speed and rate of rotation of the vessel in relation to the dockside. This will allow the navigator to dock the vessel with a 4 cm accuracy, even without direct visual contact of the dockside.
Azurtane will be working with two students in the 3rd year of the BSc (Hons) computer games (software development) course to undertake the initial visual design, prior to progressing to coding the input of millisecond data streams that will position the trial vessel with pinpoint accuracy. The user interface is due to be delivered for user trials on Red Funnel’s high-speed ferry, Redjet 7, in March 2020.
Explaining the reason for the collaboration with Solent University, Mr Gregory says that “any industry needs fresh ideas and up to date communication methodology. Without specialist in-house digital design expertise, where better to get the very best than from students on computer game development courses. We have been in contact with several universities in the gaming field including the highly rated Leuven University in Belgium. But Solent University proved ideal due to its close proximity to our business and a very “can do” attitude by both teaching staff and students.”
Dave Cobb, Course Leader for Computer Games (Software Development) at Solent University says, “Students at Solent University, learning the techniques, languages and mathematics of game software may not be aware how transferrable their skills can be. Gamers must be captured by and drawn into a game. That is also true in navigation. The closer an interface is to the user’s mind’s eye, the more likely it will be embraced.”
Azurtane is not only funding this industrial placement opportunity for students but is looking to continue and build on the partnership with Solent University with the aim of collaborating on future projects that will advance the safety and efficiency of deep-sea vessels.
Caption: The Azurtane vessel docking user interface will be trialled on Red Funnel’s high-speed ferry, Red Jet 7, in March 2020. Photo credit: Red Funnel
About Azurtane
Azurtane is the developer of market leading technology to reduce and prevent marine emissions. Its solutions help the shipping industry to achieve greater fuel efficiency, cut energy costs and comply with national and international environmental legislation. The company’s particular expertise lies in tailored marine measurement systems and data analysis, performance benchmarking, marine gas sensing technologies, SOx & NOx emissions determination, emissions compliance assurance and marine energy efficiency management. Further information is available at www.azurtane.com.
Azurtane is located at:
Unit 14, City Commerce Centre
Marsh Lane
Southampton SO14 3EW
info@azurtane.com
Press enquiries:
Mr Don Gregory +44 (0)7884 113690
Can we afford to wait for IMO EEXI?
/in Commentary, Energy efficiency /by AzurtaneShips are wasting fuel & emitting unnecessary CO2 today!
The current EEXI proposals going through the IMO are planned to enter into force on 1st January 2023. With no enforcement being considered any serious reduction in CO2 emissions may still be way over the horizon.
Detailed studies by Azurtane have concluded that every ocean-going vessel is wasting from 2% to over 5% of its annual fuel consumption. Putting this into context, International shipping’s contribution to immediately reducing CO2 emissions could be as much as 40Million tonnes per year. This is not only an accelerated path to zero CO2 but also a significant cost saving.
“Today most ships are sailing blind” says Don Gregory from Azurtane. He said “ships typically measure and report fuel consumption on a daily basis”. The so called “noon day report” has little detailed information on the intervening 24-hour period on the conditions the vessel encountered and the minute-by-minute carbon emissions. In terms of management of cost, greater granularity of operational data and application of scientifically calculated solutions is required in real time to enable both fuel savings and reduction in CO2 otherwise ships will continue to operate inefficiently burning fuel, contaminating the atmosphere and soaking up huge amounts of cash.
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Gulf Oil Marine says shipping needs ‘Amazon approach’ to cut emissions
/in Commentary, Partnerships /by AzurtaneTesting new lubricants ahead of IMO’s cap on sulphur in fuels led Gulf Oil Marine into a partnership with marine technology firm Azurtane, and global technology manager Don Gregory sees the potential for technology to make an even bigger impact across the sector
Gulf Oil Marine global technology manager Don Gregory was unequivocal on the potential impact of a digital revolution in shipping: he said he believes business strategies enabled by technology are a means of rapidly achieving lower emissions throughout the maritime sector.
“From the work we have done, it is very clear that if the maritime sector adopted the Amazon approach and tracked all movements and waypoints to achieve a just-in-time arrival and [optimal] vessel utilisation, the industry could cut bunker consumption overnight by 20%,” Mr Gregory said.
With the industry facing increasing pressures to limit emissions, Mr Gregory said efficiencies generated from technology would help to bridge the gap during the next decade, cutting fuel use and emissions while low- and zero-emissions technologies are developed.
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Marine technology firm Azurtane and Solent University Game Developers collaborate on vessel docking project
/in Vessel Positioning /by AzurtaneSouthampton maritime energy efficiency firm, Azurtane, has joined forces with the School of Media Arts and Technology at Solent University to leverage the skills of student game developers in a high precision kinematics (HPK), marine vessel docking project. The objective of the development work is to convert high precision positioning data generated by Azurtane’s HPK technology into a user interface that will enhance the vessel commander’s visualisation of the docking movements, reducing docking time and fuel consumption, as well as increasing safety.
Azurtane approached Solent University to ascertain if one of the programming degree courses utilised software that could be adapted to convert the positional data transmitted by Azurtane’s HPK into a highly visual digital twin – a screen or tablet interface that mimics the typical visual information available to a ship’s navigator when he or she is observing and managing docking manoeuvres.
“Our aim is to develop an intuitive, highly visual interface that presents positional information produced by our HPK in the most quickly assimilated way in order to make coming alongside easier for navigators on the bridge of a vessel,” Don Gregory, Azurtane’s MD says when explaining the concept for the vessel docking interface. “The students are taking the real time data from the HPK technology to produce an aerial 2D visualisation that acts as a navigation guide, displaying heading, speed and rate of rotation of the vessel in relation to the dockside. This will allow the navigator to dock the vessel with a 4 cm accuracy, even without direct visual contact of the dockside.
Azurtane will be working with two students in the 3rd year of the BSc (Hons) computer games (software development) course to undertake the initial visual design, prior to progressing to coding the input of millisecond data streams that will position the trial vessel with pinpoint accuracy. The user interface is due to be delivered for user trials on Red Funnel’s high-speed ferry, Redjet 7, in March 2020.
Explaining the reason for the collaboration with Solent University, Mr Gregory says that “any industry needs fresh ideas and up to date communication methodology. Without specialist in-house digital design expertise, where better to get the very best than from students on computer game development courses. We have been in contact with several universities in the gaming field including the highly rated Leuven University in Belgium. But Solent University proved ideal due to its close proximity to our business and a very “can do” attitude by both teaching staff and students.”
Dave Cobb, Course Leader for Computer Games (Software Development) at Solent University says, “Students at Solent University, learning the techniques, languages and mathematics of game software may not be aware how transferrable their skills can be. Gamers must be captured by and drawn into a game. That is also true in navigation. The closer an interface is to the user’s mind’s eye, the more likely it will be embraced.”
Azurtane is not only funding this industrial placement opportunity for students but is looking to continue and build on the partnership with Solent University with the aim of collaborating on future projects that will advance the safety and efficiency of deep-sea vessels.
Caption: The Azurtane vessel docking user interface will be trialled on Red Funnel’s high-speed ferry, Red Jet 7, in March 2020. Photo credit: Red Funnel
About Azurtane
Azurtane is the developer of market leading technology to reduce and prevent marine emissions. Its solutions help the shipping industry to achieve greater fuel efficiency, cut energy costs and comply with national and international environmental legislation. The company’s particular expertise lies in tailored marine measurement systems and data analysis, performance benchmarking, marine gas sensing technologies, SOx & NOx emissions determination, emissions compliance assurance and marine energy efficiency management. Further information is available at www.azurtane.com.
Azurtane is located at:
Unit 14, City Commerce Centre
Marsh Lane
Southampton SO14 3EW
info@azurtane.com
Press enquiries:
Mr Don Gregory +44 (0)7884 113690
Do you know which way you are pointing? Azurtane is developing the answer.
/in Vessel Positioning /by AzurtaneApril 2019 Press Release
Southampton marine technology firm Azurtane is developing an advanced vessel positioning system. Working in conjunction with Red Funnel, the Isle of Wight ferry company, first trials are set to begin on the ferry operator’s high-speed craft RedJet7 in late April 2019. Azurtane’s new technology will be capable of positioning vessels within 4cm of a given location, something even the most experienced seafarer would struggle to achieve.
Azurtane managing director, Don Gregory, believes that there are two critical aspects to maintaining an efficient high-speed ferry service.
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