The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The administration says the plan reflects the goals and strategies necessary to foster, develop and promote the United States maritime industry and merchant marine. MARAD’s report says it recognizes that a strong U.S. maritime industry is critical to America’s national security strategy.
“Our nation’s maritime industry faces many challenges, not least of which include aging Ready Reserve Force ships and a mariner shortage which reduces our ability to adequately crew those ships during a national emergency,” the group said in a press release.
MARAD also said it “remains committed to exercising new and existing authorities to narrow these shortfalls. In response to today’s challenges and continuing the work already underway, this plan establishes the strategic priorities and framework necessary to meet MARAD’s mission and help shape the future of the maritime industry.”
Cargo security keeps goods safe. On freighters, docks, trucks, railcars, warehouses, and ports, cargo shipments are vulnerable to theft during several stages of the transit process. If a container isn’t properly and securely sealed, it can be opened many times during transit with its contents stolen and easily sold on the black market.
Stolen cargo can cost suppliers thousands to upwards of millions of dollars. An estimated $223 million in cargo was stolen during 2022, according to a new analysis by Verisk’s CargoNet. CargoNet recorded 1,778 supply chain risk events in the U.S. and Canada in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021. The average value of cargo stolen in an event was $214,104, CargoNet said.
The consequences of not sufficiently protecting cargo can be devastating, ranging from financial loss and damaged reputation to long-term, intricate legal disputes. And, today’s thieves are now highly tech-savvy and constantly developing modern ways and strategies to steal cargo from shippers. Because of this, more advanced container security measures have been developed helping to reduce burglaries and resulting theft claims.
High security bolt seals, like this one by J. J. Keller, help protect cargo against tampering and theft. J. J. Keller image.
Best Practices
Josh Lovan, industry business advisor at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Fort Smith, Arkansas, explains that ensuring cargo security during transit is crucial and cites the following best practices to make this happen:
• Use High-Quality Seals: Invest in security seals made of durable materials like metal or heavy-duty plastic. Avoid using seals that can be easily tampered with or broken.
• Proper Application: Apply seals correctly, ensuring they are securely fastened to prevent tampering or unauthorized access.
• Unique Identification: Use seals with unique serial numbers or barcodes for easy tracking and identification. This helps in verifying the integrity of the cargo.
• Regular Inspections: Conduct routine inspections of seals and locks throughout the transit process to detect any signs of tampering or damage.
• Multiple Layers of Security: Utilize multiple layers of security, such as container locks in addition to seals, to provide added protection against theft or unauthorized access.
• Security Protocols: Implement strict security protocols and procedures for handling, loading, and unloading cargo to minimize the risk of tampering or theft.
• Monitoring and Tracking: Employ GPS tracking systems or other monitoring technologies to track the location and status of cargo in real-time, providing visibility throughout transit.
• Training and Awareness: Train personnel involved in handling cargo on security protocols and the importance of maintaining the integrity of seals and locks.
Seals, like the ones shown here made by J. J. Keller, are simple, cost effective ways to secure containers. J. J. Keller images.
Seals and Locks
Security seals and container locks are requisite to keep cargo secure in transit. Not all seals and locks are created equally. Each type of seal or lock offers different levels of security and suitability for specific applications.
Different industries employ a variety of security seals tailored to their specific needs and cargo requirements. For instance, the transportation industry relies on heavy-duty seals like bolt seals or cable seals to secure shipping containers and trailers, safeguarding valuable goods during transportation. Industries dealing with retail and consumer goods prioritize tamper-evident seals with unique identification features to maintain the integrity of products as they move from manufacturers to retailers.
“Pharmaceutical and healthcare companies often opt for advanced seals equipped with RFID technology, enabling real-time tracking and monitoring of sensitive pharmaceutical products to comply with stringent regulatory requirements and maintain product integrity,” Lovan says. “The food and beverage industry may utilize seals designed to withstand environmental factors and provide clear evidence of tampering, ensuring food safety and compliance with regulatory standards.”
The Equipment Lock Company produces this heavy duty cargo door lock built to secure semi-trailers and sea containers by locking the innermost vertical locking bars together. The Equipment Lock Company image.
It’s essential to assess your cargo security requirements and choose the appropriate seals and locks accordingly. Overall, Lovan believes the choice of security seals varies across industries based on factors such as cargo value, sensitivity, transportation mode, and regulatory compliance needs, with each industry selecting seals that best meet their unique security requirements. He cites the following types of security seals and container locks available for cargo security.
• Bolt Seals: These are high-security seals that require bolt cutters to remove, making them difficult to tamper with.
• Cable Seals: Made of steel cables, these seals are flexible and suitable for securing irregularly shaped items. They offer high tensile strength and are resistant to tampering.
• Bar Seals: These seals feature a metal bar that is inserted into a locking mechanism, providing a secure closure for containers and trailers.
• Plastic Seals: These seals are commonly used for securing shipping containers, trucks and trailers. They are lightweight, cost-effective, and offer tamper-evident features.
• RFID Seals: These seals are equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, allowing for electronic tracking and monitoring of cargo in real-time.
• Kingpin Locks: These locks are installed on the kingpin of a trailer, preventing unauthorized access to the container when it is attached to a truck.
• Wheel Locks: These locks are placed on the wheels of trailers or containers to prevent them from being moved or accessed without authorization.
Below are criteria for determining the best seal for your application:
• Determine if an indicative or barrier seal is required.
• If using a barrier seal, determine what strength level is needed.
• Make sure that the seal type that you choose fits the device.
• Choose a seal that has the appropriate level of strength and security.
• Measure seal cost vs. security risks.
• Use a manageable locking system considering the tools and resources you have at your disposal.
• Consider the durability of the seal in relation to its environment.
• Below are criteria for handling and use of cargo seals:
• Know the locking procedure, design and features of this seal.
• Give seals only to authorized persons.
• Document all seals taken from storage.
• Apply seals securely according to instructions for this model. Note any problems or unusual visible damage like bent hasps, worn holes, unusual conditions or cosmetic damage to seals in applying.
• Destroy seals completely after use. Do not simply toss them out or leave parts or cut seals intact; or under conditions where they may be collected by others. Ideally it is good practice to return them to a central facility for destruction by an authorized and trained inspector.
PassTime’s GPS solutions utilize technologies to help connect, monitor and protect a wide range of mobile assets. PassTime image.
Reliable Line of Defense
While these locks and seals are a reliable line of defense, criminals can compromise security seals and container locks through various methods such as brute force, and tools like bolt cutters to break seals or manipulate locks. They also employ tampering techniques, like duplicating seals or picking locks, to gain unauthorized access to cargo.
C-TPAT stands for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. Founded shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, C-TPAT is a voluntary, collaborative effort between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and commercial shippers to develop comprehensive cargo security programs for imports into the U.S. To further prevent theft, C-TPAT seals are security seals affixed to cargo containers by C-TPAT certified entities, signifying compliance with rigorous security standards. These seals serve as an indicator of a secure supply chain, facilitating expedited customs clearance and reducing the risk of cargo tampering or terrorism-related threats. C-TPAT seals may feature unique identification numbers or barcodes, allowing for easy tracking and verification of cargo integrity.
GPS Tracking
With numerous companies and transportation methods involved throughout the transportation chain, pinpointing when and where a cargo security issue occurred can be daunting. Implementing a GPS tracking solution on cargo shipments provides suppliers with the ability to track their cargo throughout the entire journey, adding invaluable insight and security.
“With so many transportation methods and entities involved, cargo can be lost or delayed along the way,” says Jeff Karg, director of marketing and communications, PassTime, Littleton, Colo. GPS tracking devices for cargo shipments give the supplier their own tracking solution and are not reliant on the varying and sometimes non-exist tracking solutions from their transportation providers.”
Solutions like PassTime’s battery-powered Encore, are completely self-powered, can last up to five years without recharging, and at the size of a deck of cards, can quickly and easily be placed on just about any cargo shipment.
“Utilizing battery-powered GPS tracking solutions on the cargo itself means suppliers know if their cargo is still in transit, or more importantly, if it isn’t,” Karg says. “Locks and seals are an important aspect of cargo security. However, if the cargo container itself is lost those safeguards may have limited impact. Adding an additional layer of security, like a GPS tracking solution, can provide unparalleled visibility, control and protection to locate and recover missing cargo.”
Smart Containers
Smart containers are equipped with sensors that can detect intrusions like unauthorized door openings as well as anomalies such as a sudden change in container pressure or temperature (like when a hole is cut into the side wall of a container) that could indicate a breach.
Smart containers also have other integrated sensors such as GPS as well as additional internal sensors to measure the condition of the cargo inside. Data from the container’s sensors are either logged on a data module within the container, or it’s broadcast to a central monitoring platform via handheld readers, fixed scanners, or GSM/cellular connections.
Another, probably more viable option to (expensive) smart containers is the use of portable smart sensor kits that can be fixed to/within any standard container or truck trailer. These “smart kits” can turn any shipping container, truck trailer, or rail car into a “smart container,” giving logistics operations greater supply chain visibility for high-value cargo like pharmaceuticals, volatile chemicals, frozen food and other cold chain products.
The Human Element
Most theft crimes are not investigated because of manpower issues, so it is imperative that carriers take the necessary measures to prevent theft. Provide security training to all personnel, because everyone should be involved with protecting customer freight and company assets. Lovan says drivers can proactively deter theft by adopting the following prevention measures:
• Check the cargo seal and padlock during pre-trip and after being away from the unit.
• Never leave the tractor running when unattended.
• Always lock the doors and roll up windows when away from tractor.
• Always park in well-lit areas where other motorists are present.
Fleets can deter theft by implementing the following security polices during closed hours:
• Ensure trailers are docked, butted, and blocked at the terminal.
• Utilize kingpin locks for trailers that contain high value freight.
• Ensure that alarm systems are functional by conducting weekly tests.
• Utilize GPS technology to geofence equipment on the yard.
While no cargo being transported is completely immune to the risk of theft, the right technology will help to mitigate these problems to a great extent and help to ensure safe transportation of cargo. Anticipate and use security developments to your advantage, stay one step ahead and keep your cargo secure.
Critical events can affect any transport operator. Accidents, problems with infrastructure including vandalism, fires — such as those seen recently on electric buses in London — extreme weather events and cyberattacks have an immediate and often highly disruptive impact. While many incidents are resolved quickly, the knock-on effect on the reputation of the operator can be long-lasting, inconveniencing employees and passengers, and, in extreme cases, even threatening their lives.
It is therefore essential for transport organizations to build in resilience measures. This is, in part, the ability to anticipate the types of emergencies that might arise and adopt practices that minimize the impact of these crisis events on their operations. This type of approach ensures the safety of their employees and passengers and assists in resuming normal services quickly.
The success of operational resilience relies on several factors, the first of which is corporate culture. An organization’s resilience reflects the resiliency of its people, so public transport operators must invest in training programs, mentoring, and delivering resources that are inclusive for employees, and promote their well-being. Employees who are engaged and listened to will be better able to manage emergencies and equipped to confidently put practices in place to minimize disruption. Adopting an approach of employee collaboration through which teams and individuals are recognized for their successes and able to learn from their mistakes helps to cultivate collaboration and enables better teamwork in a crisis.
Continuously Assess Potential Risk
Proactive risk management coupled with agreed contingency plans that are regularly assessed and updated is essential. A list of the appropriate experts, technicians and helpers should be drawn up and these will be the first port of call when a critical event occurs. If companies fail to communicate in a timely manner during a crisis, they will lose control of the incident and the agreed response plan. Aligning actions to the right people ensures clarity of message, averts rumors, such as on social media, and keeps employees and passengers updated with accurate and timely information.
A comprehensive communications plan for use during a critical incident should be devised by transport operators. This outlines processes and those with responsibility for communication, who talks to whom and when, and what information they share. In addition to internal contacts, there may be external groups, such as passengers, partners of employees, or the public, that will require communications and updates. As public transport companies operate critical infrastructure, there may also be an obligation to report to the authorities.
Planning saves time and effort in an emergency. Messaging templates, for example, can be created in advance to help employees communicate efficiently and accurately. These will need to contain specific information to suit a variety of audiences and situations, but key messages must be consistent and not contradictory so everyone involved can be kept on the same page. Transport operators should plan for multimodal communication. The more channels they use, the more likely they are to reach all audiences. Ideally, messages should be sent through the most used channels today such as SMS texts, push messages, email, and voice messages and on both personal and work landlines and mobile phones. Practicing the procedures that have been agreed upon will allow transport operators to ensure they work efficiently without the pressure of a crisis. Any problems can be identified and addressed.
Building Resilience with Technology
Organizational resilience can be enhanced immeasurably by technology. Transport operators will benefit from an integrated critical event management (CEM) software solution that connects business continuity, disaster recovery, and risk management tools. This allows them to assess risk, seamlessly disseminate information across teams, and avoid disruptions that get in the way of responding quickly to a critical event. At the core of a CEM platform is a data hub that collates all the information relevant to an emergency and manages all the necessary processes.
Information that informs a CEM platform ranges from IoT device data monitoring traffic infrastructure and vehicles through to employee location data. It also includes police channels on social media, traffic information, or severe weather warnings. The platform brings this data together and visualizes it so transport companies can be quickly alerted to likely crises, assess the impact on their own systems, and initiate responses. From this, teams with responsibility for communicating critical events can coordinate activities, teams, and resources within a single application.
Emergency processes can be quickly implemented and controlled in a CEM solution in the form of rules, guidelines, and templates and it will automate those processes using a workflow system. This reduces the time that might be lost to manual activities. The CEM platform should support two-way communication allowing people to respond, which is helpful in terms of knowing who is safe, where people still need help, and whether the level of response needs to be escalated.
Transport operators face many risks but with intelligence, strategic planning and a robust crisis communication plan in place, they will be able to maintain operational resilience and protect both employees and passengers in the event of a crisis.
Tracy Reinhold is chief security officer at Everbridge. He is responsible for advancing Everbridge’s enterprise-level security strategy, as well as working closely with customers and partners to optimize their organizational approach to managing and responding to critical events.
Digital identity solutions are not only the basis for secure and convenient travel, they are also the key to important services and greater control over personal data. Four key trends are currently crystallizing in identity technologies.
Digital identification and identity solutions are an important part of global technological progress. In addition to simplifying and streamlining processes such as dealing with government agencies or traveling, proof of identity is directly linked to fundamental human rights. For these reasons, the development of technologies and solutions plays a crucial role. And there has been a lot of progress. Veridos, a global leader in identity solutions, outlines here the four most important trends and developments in the field of identity technologies:
Travel is becoming more digital and more secure. New technologies are paving the way for a new level of security in electronic passports. Self-check-in terminals and biometric data on microchips, for example, are helping to speed up the boarding process at airports. The next step in this development: the physical passport will no longer be the only way for travelers to verify their identity. With Digital Travel Credentials (DTC), the travel document of the future can also be displayed completely digitally and much more conventiently – on a mobile phone or smartwatch, for example.
The passport is becoming more sustainable. The travel and tourism industry is responsible for an estimated eight to eleven percent of global emissions. To meet the industry’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, research is increasingly focusing on recycled materials for documents that can ensure more sustainable supply chains. The days of passports with virgin plastic-based components may soon be numbered in favor of new, eco-friendly ID documents. The digitization of ID documents can help reduce the need for physical ID cards.
Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) is becoming relevant. Self-sovereign identity puts individuals back in control of their data. This revolutionary concept allows individuals to choose what information to share, when, and with whom. Presenting an ID card to a car rental company, for example, reveals a great deal of sensitive information about an individual, whereas an SSI solution allows for the selective release of required information. With this zero-knowledge proof approach, citizens will be able to protect themselves very effectively against data mining and misuse of their information in the future. But SSI also has great advantages on the digital level – for example, the technology can be used as an identification process in the Internet of Things. Drivers could use it to confirm their identity at electric charging stations, for instance, without having to do anything themselves.
Identity is becoming increasingly digital. People without legal proof of identity are denied access to essential services and human rights, such as voting, education and banking. That is why the United Nations has set a goal of enabling everyone to register their identity by 2030. Universal solutions from leading providers are increasingly focused on digital and phygital technologies – a mix of digital and physical technologies. Not only are they more secure and convenient than purely physical ID cards, they also open doors to electronic services, are easier to manage and offer higher levels of security.
“The world is becoming increasingly digital. We see a growing expectation among users to be able to store important documents on mobile devices,” said Marc-Julian Siewert, CEO of Veridos. “There is certainly still a long way to go before government documents are fully digitized, but the groundwork has been laid and research is making great strides.”
er of cutting-edge AI and robotics solutions, has announced its expansion into the North American market. Dexory is set to disrupt the market through its autonomous robotics and AI-powered analysis solution, DexoryView. The company is already working with global partners with a significant U. S. presence such as DB Schenker, Menzies Aviation, Maersk and ID Logistics. To lead the expansion, Todd Boone has joined the team as its Head of North American business.
The driving force behind the expansion is the rapidly evolving landscape of logistics and warehousing. End customers continue to demand quicker turnaround times while warehouses address the urgent needs for improved space utilization and increased efficiencies while wrestling with ongoing labor scarcity. Dexory combines powerful analytics with autonomous robots capable of capturing rich image and sensor data from across a warehouse. This powerful combination provides comprehensive visibility across warehouses of any size, as well as connecting warehouses across the global supply chain through Dexory’s digital platform, DexoryView.
One customer that has recently deployed Dexory’s solutions in its warehouses is the international contract logistics group, ID Logistics. The collaboration aims to increase warehouse operation accuracy and enhance overall efficiency to improve the service provided to their customers.
Benoit Boiron, group Innovation manager at ID Logistics commented, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of inventory management and warehouse data acquisition. The precision and real-time monitoring capabilities have transformed our day-to-day operations, bringing accuracy to new heights.”
“Following successful customer deployments in Europe, we have seen an increased demand from the North American market,” said Andrei Danescu, CEO and co-founder of Dexory. “We are excited to be expanding our offering and see that there is tremendous opportunity in the region. Organizations across the globe are getting to grips with the challenging demands of modern supply chains, and DexoryView allows businesses to gain rapid insights into their operations and make informed decisions that drive better efficiencies across their businesses.”
Dexory says their technology helps businesses to understand, in real-time, what happens in their warehousing operations, which is imperative to closing the visibility gap that occurs when there is a misalignment between expectations and reality. The ever-increasing pace within warehouses is causing the visibility gap to grow, and so worldwide, companies are embracing Dexory’s solution to unlock real-time visibility and insights that minimize the visibility gap while maximizing warehouse performance and reducing costs.
As part of the expansion, Dexory has appointed Todd Boone to lead its North American business. Boone joins Dexory from Zebra Technologies, where he served as director of product management in robotics and automation. With Zebra Technologies he held several leadership roles and worked closely with Fetch, an established AMR provider in North America. Along with his experience in large organizations such as Motorola Solutions and Psion Teklogix, Boone has also acted as an independent advisor for technology companies, providing advice on go-to-market strategies.
“Having an industry veteran such as Todd Boone lead our expansion in the North American region is paramount to our success,” adds Danescu. “Boone has in-depth knowledge of the landscape and the challenges our customers are facing. In addition to this, he is a proven leader and has a track record of delivering value to customers as well as devising strategies that are disruptive and value-driven for our industry. We are pleased to have him on board to spearhead our growth in the region.”
“Many businesses across the globe are struggling with a visibility gap, where they do not have the necessary insight into their warehouse and supply chain operations,” comments Todd Boone, head of North America at Dexory. “The opportunity to lead Dexory’s expansion into the North American market comes at an exciting time for the industry. The technology is truly innovative and disruptive. The combination of robots and DexoryView has already delivered significant benefits to customers in Europe, and North American businesses can expect a transformative effect on the everyday efficiency, productivity and accuracy of their warehouses.”
Two people were stuck in middle of icy fjord after escaping a sinking car. Then a floating sauna showed up and rescued the people. According to Reurters, a Tesla crashed into frigid waters in Norway on February 1. The floating sauna then came to the rescue. See image.
Academy Securities, a registered broker-dealer, certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), announced the addition of Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck to its Advisory Board and Geopolitical Intelligence Group.
Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck retired from the United States Navy after more than 40 years of commissioned service. His active-duty career culminated with his role as the 63rd Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. He has over a decade of service in the Pentagon with tours of duty on the Navy Staff and the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he specialized in strategy and policy development as well as personnel management. He additionally leveraged unique opportunities in his career by earning a designation as a member of the Navy’s Space Cadre while serving at the National Reconnaissance Office. Admiral Buck’s operational service was as a Naval Flight Officer in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance naval aviation community, where he accumulated over 4000 flight hours and command-level leadership including command of the US FOURTH Fleet.
“We are honored to welcome Admiral Buck to Academy’s Advisory Board,” stated Academy’s Chairman and CEO Chance Mims. “His extensive experience in strategy and policy development will add incredible value for our clients and team.”
Admiral Buck commented on joining Academy Securities: “It’s an exciting honor and privilege to join Academy Securities as an Advisor. I see joining the team as a win-win-win. I’m looking forward to contributing to their continued success advancing the needs of veterans with employment in the financial sector, helping Academy support their clients with analysis and discussion of the ramifications of the global geopolitical environment, and contributing to the overall growth and expansion of the firm.”
Admiral Buck graduated from the United States Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree from The George Washington University. He passionately supported collegiate sports by serving as a Division I athlete (Tennis), a member of the NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors, and a member of the Executive Committee of the American Athletic Conference.
“Admiral Buck will make a tremendous asset to our team, enhancing our mission and our capabilities in advising clients on the impacts of an ever-changing geopolitical environment,” stated Phil McConkey, Academy’s president.
Volvo Penta unveiled its new IPS Professional Platform, an advanced technology and propulsion platform for superyachts and commercial marine vessels. The Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform builds on the company’s proven Inboard Performance System (IPS) and Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) technology with unique enhancements for larger vessels.
The IPS Professional Platform is the next evolution of Volvo Penta’s fully integrated helm-to-propeller experience, designed to deliver unparalleled comfort, performance and sustainability for professional vessels and super yachts. The flexible platform enables a vessel to have up to eight power sources, and includes perfectly matched software, services and support, all integrated via the company’s proprietary EVC technology. Highlights of the new platform include:
An intelligent dual power drive system – Installed as a twin, triple or quad, the system enables each vessel to have four to eight power sources. The solution is prepared for a mix of power sources – from combustion engines running on renewable fuels to fully electric or hybrid solutions, enabling unparalleled efficiency and providing the option to combine traditional internal combustion engines (ICE) with electric power sources – a unique approach to efficiency for this class of vessel.
Intelligent technology features of the platform also include Volvo Penta Assisted Docking, Dynamic Positioning and a professional-level Glass Cockpit helm display on some models to ease manual operation and semi-automated features for every level of operator. Beyond the bridge, this system also offers remote diagnostics and improves maintenance.
Future-Proof Vessels – The platform architecture can future-proof vesselsthrough its versatile dual-power configuration. Vessels can be designed for the ultimate level of efficiency with today’s ICE technology. Captains or technical engineers can then upgrade with hybrid and electric options in the near future without the need to redesign or scrap a vessel.
Smart power sources – All Volvo Penta ICE engines can run on renewable diesel or bio-diesel today, enabling the path to sustainability to start immediately, even before fully electric power sources are ready for deployment.
Getting eco smart – A new smart Eco Mode feature that automatically starts/stops individual engines based on the power needed for a given situation, optimizing fuel consumption and engine running hours. In addition to increasing the benefit of Volvo Penta IPS at lower speeds and reducing fuel consumption across the majority of the drive cycle, Eco Mode is visible through an interface at the helm. This makes it is easy for the captain or operator to monitor.
New levels of efficiency – Together the Volvo Penta IPS driveline and Eco Mode ensure new levels of efficiency never seen in the industry – they complement each other.
Commitment to sustainability – Volvo Penta has been committed to sustainability and decarbonization. With the complete system, users will experience up to 30% total fuel savings and emissions.
A New Approach to Power
Commercially available in 2025, the Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform was developed with ease of operation, versatility, and efficiency in mind. The first of its kind, the platform includes an innovative new concept in marine propulsion design built on the industry-leading Volvo Penta IPS system and developed for use with dual power inputs. This new design unlocks a range of possibilities for managing the power to the water in the most efficient way by enabling different combinations of power sources to be connected to one energy efficient drive. Depending on mission parameters, power combinations could include:
Traditional ICE power sources, including renewable fuels such as HVO or Renewable Diesel
A hybrid of ICE and electric power sources
Fully electric power sources
Additionally, Volvo Penta’s dual power input design is supported by a smart Eco Mode feature that will automatically manage and optimize the use of power based on real-time needs during operation. Eco Mode optimizes fuel consumption and engine running hours. Approximately 50% of the time, half of the power sources will be on standby. This gives the potential to operate a vessel with unrivaled new levels of efficiency and leads to extended service and maintenance intervals.
Designed Around You
The Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform is designed to deliver a seamless and intuitive experience, making operations easier, safer and more enjoyable for even the most seasoned professional. Intelligent features like Volvo Penta Assisted Docking, Dynamic Positioning and Volvo Penta’s professional-level Glass Cockpit helm display, make manual operation easier. The system’s innovative new design and dual power inputs unlock a range of possibilities for managing the power to the water in the most efficient way possible, increasing confidence and trust for every level of operator. Beyond the bridge, advanced connectivity enables predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics and remote monitoring, all contributing to premium level support and increased uptime.
“Our aim has long been the relentless pursuit of innovation. We are absolutely focused on delivering sustainable solutions that create an exceptional experience for our customers. Building on the success of the legendary Volvo Penta IPS system, this new Professional Platform will also provide new options for energy efficiency and aid in efforts to achieve decarbonization at sea in marine industries,” said Johan Inden, president of Volvo Penta Marine. “We see this as a major step towards decarbonization in superyachts and commercial vessels between 25-55 meters.”
A History of Innovation and Trust
The complete Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform is designed, developed, verified and serviced by one company – ensuring an optimized experience throughout the complete lifecycle of the vessel. Volvo Penta’s EVC is available across the full range of Volvo Penta-powered vessels and offers a seamless on-water experience across a variety of marine applications. Backed by its worldwide authorized service network, Volvo Penta will offer global parts availability and 24/7 customer support – delivering peace of mind out on the water and beyond.
Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “OSG”) continues to promote women to receive training to enter the maritime industry with a three-year pledge in the amount of $90,000 to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. OSG’s pledge will go to undergraduate and sea term scholarships and sponsorship of the Academy’s Women’s Network and Sea, Science and Leadership Career Exploration Program. Scholarship recipients will have ongoing interaction with OSG and the opportunity to become familiar with OSG’s business and fleet of vessels. The OSG Scholarship Program is intended to ease the financial burdens as well as encourage young women seeking opportunities to enter an industry that offers a non-traditional workplace and opportunity for growth.
“We are grateful for the generosity of Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. in their commitment to establishing an OSG Scholarship Program at Massachusetts Maritime Academy,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We are focused on creating more access for women and people in regions who may not be aware of the opportunities offered by a career in the maritime industry. The OSG Scholarship Program will help us advance this goal, by providing more opportunities for more people at every level in the maritime industry, whether through undergraduate and sea term scholarships, sponsorship of our annual Women’s Network Event, and support of our Sea, Science, and Leadership/Maritime Career Exploration Program, geared toward high school students.”
“OSG has a vision to contribute to the efforts of making life at sea a more realizable opportunity for young women. This new partnership with Massachusetts Maritime Academy builds upon the momentum we have established previously to provide support for women in the industry,” says Sam Norton, OSG’s President and CEO. He added, “As a leading U.S.-flagged shipowner, OSG believes it is our responsibility to promote the longevity and sustainability of the maritime industry with programs such as the OSG Scholarship Program aimed at increasing the presence of women at sea.”
The scholarships will promote a variety of financial aid efforts offered by Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Eligible recipients, which include current academy students, high school students, and alumni, are encouraged to apply. More information on the scholarships will be made available on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s website at https://www.maritime.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate-aid/awards.
NEC Corporation of America (NEC), a provider and integrator of advanced IT, biometrics, communications and networking solutions announced that several of its top-ranked solutions have received Level 2 Certification from the Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program (TX-RAMP). The certification encompasses Integra-ID, NeoFace Reveal (NFR), and Insights for NEC Advanced Recognition Systems (ARS). This expanded certification underscores NEC’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions with a rigorous security-by-design approach to ensure privacy for all.
Integra-ID provides users with multimodal biometric search and storage services. Designed for accuracy and speed, data and transactional archiving, and auditing and reporting, all with cloud hosting capabilities. Integra-ID is backed by a comprehensive range of tools for editing, selection, image enhancement, comparison, and verification.
NeoFace Reveal is a face recognition application providing government agencies the ability to identify facial images (ranging from good to very poor quality) by performing either a one-to-many (1:N) search or one-to-one (1:1) verification against a database of any size. NFR can be used by government agencies to support investigations and detect and prevent fraud. NFR stands out for its ability to provide reliable face recognition, capturing, enhancing, organizing, and matching video and graphic images to specific individuals.
Insights including Archive, ERT and Workbench, is a super suite of applications for system administrators to manage, operate and use the NFR system. From a secured web browser, administrators can ascertain overall system status from a customized dashboard, manage user accounts, monitor processed transactions and perform auditing and reporting of all user activity and events.
The TX-RAMP certification is a significant achievement for NEC, as it highlights the company’s dedication to meeting and exceeding the stringent security and compliance standards set by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). The program, established in response to Texas Senate Bill 475 passed during the 87th Legislative Session, sets forth a standardized approach for the security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of cloud computing services processing state agency data.
TX-RAMP security criterion requirements are derived from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). FedRAMP is a United States federal government-wide compliance program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.
“We are proud to receive Level 2 Certification from TX-RAMP for our ARS Law Enforcement Biometric Product Suite. This recognition reflects NEC’s unwavering commitment to providing advanced and secure solutions while prioritizing privacy,” said Gary Lac, NEC vice president of solutions development, ARS. “We understand the importance of safeguarding sensitive data, and this certification reinforces our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance in the industry,” he added.
With the TX-RAMP certifications in place, NEC is well-positioned to support state agencies and law enforcement in Texas, ensuring that they have access to cutting-edge technology that meets the rigorous security standards mandated by the state.
