BLOG: MARINE INSIGHT

Offshore wind power generation is based on the construction of wind farms far from shore where the wind resource is better. Nowadays, offshore wind energy has come to the forefront of most governments’ climate and energy strategies due to its contribution in fulfilling energy security, competitiveness, and cleanliness.

Marine parts all have one thing in common: they come in a box from a supplier. But how do you know that the part you are about to put on the most critical component in your boat is the quality you require? How do you know it will perform to your expectations? How do you know it will last?

Cat® PartStoreTM is another purchasing channel for our customers. Customers from around the world, across any industry or segment, have been able to purchase parts online through this electronic portal. The top three benefits of purchasing parts through PartStore are that customers can access the customer version of SISweb, have visibility to part inventories, and are able to view their part price. With a simple click of a button, the latest part number will be reflected before completion of the transaction. Above all, it is available to customers at no cost. They can simply register with the desired dealers for an account.

... - are these the future signature characteristics of engines on Chinese inland waterway vessels?

“The majority of us are running at a big loss, and the next three years for an inland waterway shipping company mean either just surviving or going bankrupt.” That’s what the General Manager of one well known, state-owned shipping company told me when I met him in Shanghai in the fall of 2011.

Customers are demanding more output with less fuel consumption, while meeting emissions compliance. Future licensing requirements and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are demanding...

You may have heard about Customer Service Agreements (CSAs). But what are they really, and can they help you? 

There are limitations in the amount of data that a human can process in a single second.  For example, a human eye has the capability to process one frame per millisecond.  While this enables us to understand vessel operational data live, when we combine multiple datasets, this limitation is significant.  Have you noticed how it is nearly impossible to catch a fly? The primary reason is that a fly can process 20 frames per millisecond and our world appears to move in slow motion to a fly as compared to how we see it. Imagine if we could process 20 times the data from an operating vessel at a time. How would we use this data and what would we do with the information the data delivers?

... the fundamentals of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel on the Great Lakes.

Until quite recently the use of LNG as a marine fuel on North American coasts and inland waters was the stuff of student theses and largely ignored by shipowners. A passing interest is now morphing into a greater focus as the shipping industry faces the challenges of more stringent exhaust emissions and concerns over the long-term cost and viability of traditional fuels. MARAD (the U.S. Maritime Administration) further raised the profile of LNG by suggesting it could be the “Fuel of the Future” on the Great Lakes, and has recently funded a major study covering both commercial and technical implications.

On March 18, 2011, many customers attended our first marketing seminar which targeted the marine offshore segment – held by Tractors Singapore Limited (TSL), the exclusive Cat® dealer in Singapore – at the scenic Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.

Getting the service experience right is as simple – or as complex – as creating and maintaining a relationship with you, our customers. At Caterpillar, we understand how important you are to us,...

The Port of Hamburg ranks 15th in the world for shipping ports, and it is the 2nd largest in Europe.

If you’re anything like me, you probably can’t imagine your life without a mobile device like Smart Phones or Tablets. Well, it’s not surprising, is it?

Tell us what you think about using LNG. Are engine manufacturers clear on the additional capital cost and engine performance using LNG? Are you looking at LNG to reduce emissions and insulate your fleet from continued escalation in oil prices? What are your propulsion and auxiliary power requirements? Let’s get the dialog going…

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems is launching a campaign entitled “Our Engines. Your Story” featuring customers and the memories they have developed over the years with their Cat engines on the open seas.

Attachments:

Our Engines. Your Story - Blaine's Story.pdf ‏661 KB

Technology has reached the point wherein it is possible to remotely monitor the engine operating conditions for marine vessels anywhere in the world.  Caterpillar is working on technology to allow this remote monitoring with the goal to help our clients in preventing potential failures, making recommendations for maintenance, and ultimately in lowering operating costs.  Is the Marine Industry ready for this?

Offshore production and exploration, and associated dredging and port operations, have led to a steady increase in vessel operations in emerging markets - Brazil, West Africa, etc. Many emerging markets also have limited dry-dock facilities and engineering expertise. Coupled with security concerns and an increasingly smaller pool of qualified marine personnel, it can create a challenge for offshore operators.

As a concept, diesel electric propulsion (DEP) is not new. Diesel Electric Systems have been in use to propel vessels for more than 100 years. Branobel launched the first diesel-electric ship in 1903, and since that day, diesel electric propulsion systems have evolved and today they can be found in all boat sizes and applications. But how do you know when to utilize diesel electric technology for your vessel? Read more...

John Adams, our second president, said in his Memoirs, “No group of individuals did more for establishing our country than the American Merchant Seamen and Privateers. Their record speaks eloquently of their devotion and sacrifices.” Will Senator McCain’s bill strengthen or hurt the US Merchant Marine? Read more...

Considering the ever-changing regulatory sphere, what is the impact on your business. Do you repower, do you upgrade or do you move your vessel to another region? Read more...

Will you maybe be the next Malcolm McLean? Read more...

As our team prepares to meet with thousands of boating enthusiasts that will walk through our booth over the next five days, our goal will be to better understand your customer needs. What are you seeing as your key drivers for the year? Read more...

Have you seen the price of fuel at the pumps over the past couple of years? It’s amazing how quickly these prices can increase and impact our individual spending habits, but have you thought how the price of fuel is impacting the global marine industry? Read more...