Hydrogen detection deal adds new technology to Consilium portfolio

by Featured NewsFire DetectionGas DetectionPorts & MaritimeSafety

Consilium expands hydrogen detection portfolio

Consilium Safety Group has acquired all assets and intellectual property related to Insplorion AB’s hydrogen sensor technology business following approval at an extraordinary general meeting held on April 13.

Consilium announced the acquisition as part of its gas safety work for marine, critical infrastructure and energy-related applications.

The transaction includes Insplorion’s hydrogen sensor NPS-P2 and an ongoing certification process linked to the product.

The company said the acquisition adds hydrogen detection technology and related expertise to its existing safety portfolio.

Consilium deal includes NPS-P2 and certification process

The acquisition includes the NPS-P2 hydrogen sensor, which is described as having documented performance in demanding environments.

It also includes an ongoing certification process intended to open access to the marine sector and regulated industrial environments globally.

Consilium said it is positioned to take over that process and move the product towards full-scale commercialisation through its distribution network and brand presence in the safety sector.

Philip Isell Lind af Hageby, President and CEO, Consilium Safety Group, said: “For us, this is a strategic investment in the safety of tomorrow.

“With a sophisticated sensor technology and a capable team, that we are delighted to partner up with, we are now stepping straight to the forefront of hydrogen detection and strengthening our position as an industry pioneer,”

The acquisition was conditional on approval from an extraordinary general meeting of Insplorion AB, which was obtained on April 13.

Consilium and Hyundai advance shipboard fire detection with HiCAMS video technology

by Featured NewsFire DetectionPorts & Maritime

Consilium and Hyundai trial AI cameras at sea

Consilium Safety Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hyundai Heavy Industries at the Gastech exhibition in Milan to test AI-powered cameras in certified fire alarm systems on ships.

The agreement focuses on Hyundai’s HiCAMS video technology, which uses cameras to identify smoke and flames within shipboard fire detection functions.

According to Consilium, the collaboration is among the first initiatives to apply camera-based detection directly to maritime fire alarm systems.

A pilot test is already underway on the test vessel Sawasdee Sunrise in Korea.

During this pilot, HiCAMS has been connected to Consilium’s Safety Management Interface Graphics platform, with initial work concentrating on smoke and flame detection.

AI fire detection trial on container vessels

Consilium said one of the earliest operational uses of the combined system is expected on container vessels.

The company’s Temperature Monitoring System currently tracks heat build-up in containers stored below deck.

HiCAMS is being introduced to monitor cargo stacked above deck for the first signs of smoke.

Together, the systems are intended to extend detection coverage across both below-deck and above-deck container areas on participating vessels, according to the company.

Wider applications and path to certification

Thobias Ernfridsson, Chief Technology Officer at Consilium Safety Group, said: “There is strong interest in combining proven systems like TMS with new detection methods for areas where additional coverage is needed.

“Working with Hyundai on HiCAMS, a proven video-based fire detection technology, we aim to demonstrate its potential as a key component of certified fire alarm systems for maritime safety.

“Large, open spaces such as vehicle decks on ferries, atriums on cruise ships, or even shopping malls and warehouses present challenges for traditional smoke detectors, which often only react once smoke has reached ceiling level.

“Camera-based detection can monitor a much larger volume and provide earlier warnings in such environments.

“This is a natural next step, giving us the chance to explore new ways of improving safety together.”

Consilium noted that camera-based detection is already emerging in other sectors, but that this initiative is focused directly on marine applications.

The company stated that the next step for the partnership is to open dialogue with a classification society to obtain an Approval in Principle for the technology.

Such an Approval in Principle would confirm that HiCAMS is considered viable for use within a certified fire alarm system and would allow the partners to progress towards a full proof-of-concept for shipboard use.

Operational impact for marine and infrastructure safety teams

Marine and shipping fire officers may use findings from the Sawasdee Sunrise pilot to assess whether camera-based smoke and flame detection can support shipboard fire alarm strategies on container vessels and other ship types.

Equipment specifiers and procurement officers in the marine sector could gain new options for combining temperature monitoring below deck with visual monitoring above deck when specifying integrated fire alarm systems.

Standards and certification bodies will be directly involved once Consilium Safety Group and Hyundai Heavy Industries engage with a classification society to seek Approval in Principle for integrating HiCAMS into certified fire alarm systems.

System installers, fire-protection contractors and fire engineers working with large open spaces, such as vehicle decks or atriums, may track this trial as camera-based detection becomes more closely aligned with formal marine fire detection and alarm requirements.

Survitec XChange Programme earns repeat IBJ recognition for marine safety performance

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyPorts & MaritimeSafety

Survitec recognised for XChange Programme at IBJ Awards

Survitec, a survival technology company, has won the Safety in Bulk Handling (Marine) category at the International Bulk Journal Awards for its XChange Programme, a service-led model for managing liferafts and immersion suits across the global shipping industry.

According to Survitec, the judges highlighted the programme’s focus on service delivery and its impact on safety, logistics and environmental performance.

Judges for the International Bulk Journal Awards described the XChange Programme as: “service-led innovation transforming how marine safety equipment is managed across the global shipping industry.

“The programme is setting a new standard in maritime safety, logistics, and sustainability.”

Metkel Yohannes, Director of Product and Solutions at Survitec, said: “This award is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our customers place in Survitec.

“XChange is not just an operational solution; it is a strategic advantage that sets new benchmarks for operators across the maritime industry.

“Since its launch, the programme has demonstrated clear market acceptance and operational value.

“XChange has grown to serve vessels across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, maintaining an average renewal rate of 95%.

“Operators consistently cite cost control, the removal of downtime, and full compliance management as the primary reasons for adopting the programme.”

Service-led model replaces traditional ownership and servicing

Survitec explained that the XChange Programme replaces conventional ownership and servicing arrangements with a flexible model based on ready-to-use liferafts and immersion suits supplied and exchanged in port.

Under this approach, equipment is delivered in a fully compliant state and swapped during port calls, rather than being taken out of service for inspection or recertification.

The company reported that this removes the uncertainty associated with traditional servicing, where operators may face delays ranging from six to 48 hours while equipment is checked and approved.

Survitec stated that vessels enrolled in XChange always sail with fully certified equipment, while the company manages compliance schedules, logistics and rotation of assets.

According to the company, this allows operators to maintain focus on vessel operations while Survitec oversees inspection intervals and certification requirements.

Addressing downtime, compliance and administrative burden

Survitec noted that ship operators have historically faced unpredictable downtime, servicing bottlenecks and expiring certificates when working with conventional safety-equipment ownership models.

The company added that these issues have been compounded by the environmental impact of prematurely disposing of equipment that still has serviceable life.

The XChange model was developed to address these pressures by offering clear contract terms and centralised compliance tracking for participating fleets.

Survitec said the programme provides immediate access to fully certified liferafts and immersion suits at major global ports through its service network.

This availability is intended to reduce administrative workload on crew, who can concentrate on vessel performance rather than managing safety-equipment scheduling and documentation.

Circular-economy design and environmental outcomes

According to Survitec, customers have responded positively to the programme’s circular-economy design.

Instead of discarding equipment at the end of a service period, Survitec refurbishes, recertifies and redeploys assets through its service centres.

The company stated that this extends the working life of liferafts and immersion suits and reduces the amount of material sent to landfill, while maintaining full compliance with SOLAS requirements.

Survitec added that the XChange model also cuts emissions linked to unnecessary shipping movements and port congestion.

Exchanges are planned and coordinated within existing port calls, which removes the need for vessels to deviate from their operating schedules to meet servicing windows.

Second consecutive Safety in Bulk Handling recognition

Survitec confirmed that David Montgomery, Head of Sales (UK), accepted the Safety in Bulk Handling (Marine) award at the ceremony in Liverpool.

The company stated that this is the second year in succession that it has taken this category at the International Bulk Journal Awards.

In 2024, Survitec received the same award for “Why Are the Fires Not Going Out? Unveiling the True Cost of Inadequate Fire Safety Inspections,” a white paper on failures in fire safety practices and the resulting rise in shipboard fire incidents worldwide.

Operational meaning for marine safety and equipment management

Marine and shipping fire officers may use information about the XChange Programme to assess how liferaft and immersion-suit management models affect vessel readiness and compliance with SOLAS requirements.

Procurement officers and equipment specifiers working with bulk carriers and wider merchant fleets can review the reported 95% renewal rate and global coverage across Europe, Asia and the Americas when considering contract structures for safety equipment.

Risk assessors and fire engineering consultants can factor the removal of six to 48 hour servicing delays into assessments of available safety systems during port calls and alongside time.

Facility managers responsible for fleet-wide safety-equipment planning may reference the centralised compliance tracking and pre-planned exchanges described by Survitec when comparing ownership-based and service-led approaches.

For system installers and service partners, the circular-economy design based on refurbishment, recertification and redeployment through Survitec’s service network provides a practical example of how asset lifecycles and waste reduction can be integrated into marine safety-equipment programmes.

Zelim Unveils World’s First Unmanned Man Overboard Rescue Vessel at SMM Trade Fair

by Ports & MaritimeProductsSafetyTransportVehicles

Zelim, the Edinburgh based sea survival innovator, has officially launched the world’s first unmanned/manned remotely controlled person-in-water rescue vessel.

GUARDIAN, an 8.4m long, 2.5 wide aluminium hulled Next Generation Fast Rescue Craft (FRC), was unveiled to the international maritime industry for the first time at the SMM Trade Fair, in Hamburg, Germany.

Specifically designed for rapid deployment from a ship to recover both conscious and unconscious man-overboard casualties, the GUARDIAN FRC can operate in maritime conditions that conventional manned recovery solutions would find challenging or too dangerous to deploy.

Taking four years’ research and development, with input from the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the US Coastguard GUARDIAN incorporates Zelim’s type approved SWIFT rapid rescue conveyor and ZOE, Zelim’s intelligent detection software for optimising search.

During a MOB event, GUARDIAN is instantaneously lowered into the water by way of a ship’s existing LARS davit installed at deck level.  Once in the water, an Alamarin AJ285 waterjet powered by a single Bukh VGT 400HP motor speeds the rescue vessel along at a rate of 30-plus knots towards the casualty. GUARDIAN’S range is 15nmiles with a six-hour endurance.

As it nears the person(s) in the water, the FRC lowers the integrated SWIFT and slowly heads towards the casualty who is then recovered from the water by the rescue conveyor, which is specifically designed to grip and recover immersed casualties, whilst minimising the risk to casualties from the loss of hydrostatic pressure. SWIFT can pull two survivors to safety simultaneously, minimising the risk for rescuers.

Given that about 40% of all man-overboard incidents results in fatality, with more than 1000 people falling overboard annually, the efficiency and simplicity of Zelim’s GUARDIAN in rescue missions cannot be understated. 

“Sea survival is hugely dependent on the time it takes to retrieve individuals from the water, but inclement weather can prohibit the launch of manned rescue craft and lives are needlessly lost,” said Zelim founder and innovator Sam Mayall.

“Ship crews have little time to carry out an effective rescue before maritime conditions prevent the casualty from assisting in their own rescue. When rescue vessels approach, many survivors simply don’t have the strength to pull themselves to safety. This is even more difficult when they are unconscious or unresponsive. GUARDIAN has been designed to ensure more people can be rescued in the harshest of weather conditions.”

With capacity for 11 survivors (nine if GUARDIAN deployed with a two-person crew), the lightweight FRC also benefits from AI-based person-in-water detection and alerting system.

Peter Lloyd, Zelim’s Director of Search and Rescue, said: “Speed is the key to rescuing individuals from the water before they perish. But first you must find your casualty. Sea search is notoriously difficult with human performance subject to distraction and loss of attention, especially during a prolonged search. In Zelim’s aim to develop an unmanned rescue vessel, sea search had to be automated.”

The result of Zelim’s product development was ZOE, a new software tool capable of providing instant detection and alerting of persons and objects that enter a field of view. ZOE is also capable of differentiating between a human in the water and other objects that might be present such as buoys, flotsam and jetsam.

Providing real time location information and integrated with the GUARDIAN’S navigational system, the technology allows rescuers to see what the human eye cannot with visual cues overlayed on a simple display.

While Zelim is marketing SWIFT and ZOE as standalone maritime safety and security tools, their integration with GUARDIAN demonstrates how easily the technology can mitigate the risks for both rescuer and casualty to improve the chances of MOB recovery.

“The decision to launch any rescue asset is always a balance between the risk to the rescuers and the probability of success. An unmanned, or lean manned GUARDIAN, may permit a launch in conditions beyond those normally accepted,” said Lloyd.

The FRC can operate with or without a crew, remotely, and has enhanced rescue situational awareness capability. It has the same footprint as conventional craft, and can be easily stowed and deployed using existing davits.

In addition to MOB missions, GUARDIAN can perform a variety unmanned maritime safety and security roles, including search and rescue, security patrols, standby and recovery. Zelim believes GUARDIAN should be installed on ocean-going vessels, including cruise ships, and offshore vessels and platforms, as a matter of course.

Fire Protection Research Foundation to host webinar on marine transport safety of energy storage systems

by EventsFeatured NewsPorts & Maritime

Fire safety in marine transportation of energy storage systems highlighted in upcoming webinar

The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) is set to host an insightful webinar on the marine transportation of energy storage systems (ESS) titled “Hazard Assessment and Regulatory Analysis”.

This event, part of the 2024 FPRF webinar series, will take place on April 29, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm ET.

Participants are encouraged to register via the NFPA’s dedicated link.

This session will focus on enhancing understanding of the risks associated with transporting ESS by sea, a practice increasing due to the global manufacturing and distribution of these systems.

Details of the webinar

Energy storage systems, which store renewable energy for later use, often require transportation across oceans due to international manufacturing.

The webinar will address the unique challenges posed by large-scale ESS during marine transport, such as safety and regulatory compliance.

A study by Transport Canada, conducted by the FPRF, will be presented, detailing new insights and recommendations for safe transportation practices and regulatory adherence.

This is crucial for ensuring the safety of ESS in the confined and resource-limited environments of marine vessels.

Support and sponsorship

The 2024 Fire Protection Research Foundation webinar series has garnered support from several key industry stakeholders.

Sponsors include the American Wood Council, AXA XL Risk Consulting, Johnson Controls, Inc., Telgian Engineering and Consulting LLC, and Zurich Resilience Solutions.

Their involvement underscores the significance of collaborative efforts in advancing safety standards in energy storage and transportation sectors.