What is ECDIS?

An Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a computer-based navigation system that complies with IMO regulations and can be used as an alternative to paper navigation charts. Integrating a variety of real-time information, it is an automated decision aid capable of continuously determining a vessel’s position in relation to land, charted objects, navigation aids and unseen hazards.

An ECDIS includes electronic navigational charts (ENC) and integrates position information from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other navigational sensors, such as radar, fathometer and automatic identification systems (AIS). It may also display additional navigation-related information, such as sailing directions.

ECDIS is defined in the IMO ECDIS Performance Standards (IMO Resolution A.817(19)) as follows:

Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) means a navigation information system which, with adequate back up arrangements, can be accepted as complying with the up-to-date chart required by regulation V/19 & V/27 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, by displaying selected information from navigation sensors to assist the mariner in route planning and route monitoring, and by displaying additional navigation-related information if required.

IMO - Solas Chapter V Regulation 19.2

At its 86th session from May 26 to June 5, 2009, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee approved new regulations for the mandatory carriage requirements of ECDIS.

2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have:

2.1.4 Nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship’s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage; an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) may be accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph

2.1.5 Back-up arrangements to meet the functional requirements of subparagraph 2.1.4, if this function is partly or fully fulfilled by electronic means.

The amendment to SOLAS Chapter V regulation 19.2 will require ships engaged on international voyages to be fitted with ECDIS according to the following timetable:

ECDIS Compliance Timetable

For more information about the ECDIS regulations and requirements visit www.ecdis-info.com.

Martek goes the extra 18,000 miles in the name of customer service

Martek Service Engineer Mick English

Martek Marine prides itself on always meeting its customers’ requirements, but service engineer, Mick English, went beyond the call of duty making a 40 hour 18,000 mile round trip to Malaysia to hand deliver spare parts to ship management company  V Ships.

“We’d promised to get V Ships their parts on time and the only way to do it was to do a hand-over at Kuala Lumpur. It was pretty exhausting, but worth it,” said Mick

V Ships manager Mohammed Haque said: “it was the best service we've ever received!”

Marine Tankscape offers automated on-board tank reading certificates for 7 gases

Marine Tankscape™ - Inert Cargo Tank
& Confined Space Gas Monitoring 

Martek Marine has released Marine Tankscape™, a new gas monitoring system for tankers and reefer vessels which removes the need for seafarers taking hand notes on deck by producing a certificate for Port State Control and other inspectors as well as storing the information for download. The new Marine Tankscape™ system incorporates seven instruments for confined space and cargo monitoring and inert gases into one instrument and allows up to five gases to be measured and displayed at the same time.

Marine Tankscape™ can detect Oxygen, Hydrogen Sulphine, Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide levels. The hydrocarbon range, which uses the latest infrared technology for inerting and purging operations, can be calibrated with Butane, Propane or Methane gases.

Martek Marine director Steve Coulson said:

“The tragic deaths this week of five Indian seafarers aboard the LNG tanker MV Maharshi Krishnatreya, apparently due to asphyxiation by poisonous gases, sadly highlights the importance of robust gas detection systems. Marine Tankscape™ has been designed after extensive consultation with shipowners, ship managers and shipping personnel and have come up with a product which is versatile and simple to use. By using infrared technology, the system is able to take accurate readings from the atmosphere within the tanks.”

The Marine Tankscape™ also comes complete with an impressive and practical suite of application software. The bespoke software not only allows simple on-board calibration, but crucially provides the ability to print calibration certificates. In addition, complete data-logging software comes as standard allowing logged gas readings, with vessel locations, to be uploaded to a PC.

The system has ATEX and MED approval.

Find out more about Marine Tankscape™.

Martek Marine wins >$1M in Korean orders for emissions monitoring system

UK maritime equipment manufacturer Martek Marine has won a series of large orders for its MariNOx Evolution™ on-board emissions monitoring and engine efficiency system with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

MariNOx Evolution™

Amongst the seven orders is the world’s largest and most complicated emissions monitoring system ever to measure SOx, NOx, CO2, CH4, NO2, THC, H2S, Benzene and N20. MariNOx Evolution™ is the world’s leading ship emissions system designed to enable simple and automated Marine Equipment Directive (MED) certified compliance with the MEPC 177(58) NOx Technical Code 2008, as well as MARPOL Annex VI and MEPC 103(49).

Commenting on the order, Martek Marine’s Managing Director Paul Luen said:

“Korean yards continue to choose Martek over other fledgling competitors because of our vast experience and the unique features of MariNOx Evolution™. Over 100 of our systems have already been installed and have clocked up millions of operating hours. None of our competitors can even come close to this level of critical application experience across many different ship types, hence the confidence our customers enjoy in their choice. Yards are building more fuel efficient and less polluting ships and so are turning to our world-class solution to help them achieve this. We have a team of local experienced Korean MariNOx engineers who are able to install and commission MariNOx Evolution™ systems and have developed a particularly close working relationship with the Korean yards.”

MariNOx Evolution™ is the simplest, quickest and lowest cost system to install for shipyards because all engines are monitored via a single sample line without the need to install a complex dilution arrangement requiring dry air supplies at each engine.

MariNOx Evolution™ was introduced to the market in 2010 following further development and engineering from the original MariNOx system launched in 2005 and is based on millions of hours of application experience.

Learn more about MariNOx™