Overcoming the challenges of commercial marine electronic systems

The Evolving Demands of Commercial Marine Electronics

Cost and Regulatory Challenges

There are other challenges that the commercial sector operators face which aren’t present in the leisure industry.

The costs of maintaining and improving electronics systems on commercial ships are very high. Typically, the systems onboard are very complex with a large number of connected sensors and devices, such as sonar and radar. These pieces of equipment are very expensive, and with the industry constantly evolving and advancing, it can be difficult to keep up with it whilst still being cost smart. Balancing performance with affordability is challenging.

The commercial sector is also governed by a number of different bodies and standards, which vary depending on the location and type of vessel. For example, cargo ships have different rules from passenger ships, which are different again to fishing vessels. Some fall into SOLAS, some do not. However, a very common one is the requirement for type approved equipment to be installed. That’s not a problem for Actisense, as all our PRO Products are type approved by RINA and suitable for any class vessel installation. Alongside this, we are due to release NMEA 2000 Mid Cable soon, which is LSZH (Low smoke zero halogen), a requirement which is becoming more common in the commercial sector.

Remote Access and Fleet Monitoring

Remote access and monitoring of vessels for fleet management purposes is another requirement that’s gaining traction. With internet connectivity and data availability now, it’s very easy to manage a large fleet of ships from a cloud-based location. All of the vessels info, recent location, movements, onboard data, engine operation and servicing can all be logged via a fleet management package.

Fortunately, with the cost of 4G/5G systems along with Starlink and other satellite Internet Connections becoming more cost-friendly, achieving this is much easier than it was a few years ago. Remote access and monitoring of NMEA 2000 systems and various pieces of NMEA 0183 data are achievable through a number of Actisense products. Provided the existing network is set up to support remote access via a VPN or similar, then our devices can be accessed, and the data passing through them and logged by them is visible.

Product Solutions and Final Thoughts

Utilising a W2K-1 or WGX-1 if there’s an NMEA 2000 network onboard is ideal for this scenario, as it allows for remote access to log files taken from the N2K network and supports live view of data in both a text and graphical format. Combine this with a comprehensive vessel monitoring solution such as Vanemar, and you have complete peace of mind that the vessel is safe and secure.

In summary, the commercial sector is growing faster than ever, and the requirements from various commercial groups and bodies are ever changing. However, Actisense offers a wide range of solutions, from wireless gateways and analogue to digital converters, through to type approved and ECDIS suitable devices, ideal for even the toughest of environments. When it comes to NMEA data, there’s no challenge we can’t solve. Whether it’s an off-the-shelf solution or a completely bespoke OEM topic, we’ve got you covered.

Conclusion

To stay ahead in an evolving industry, commercial marine operators need reliable, cost-effective, and future-proof data solutions. From regulatory compliance to advanced fleet monitoring, selecting the right mix of technologies ensures long-term success. With Actisense’s range of approved and compatible products, marine professionals can meet current demands while preparing for what’s next.