Arklow Shipping Embraces 'Paperless' Navigation with Electronic Charting Systems from Northrop Grumman
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., June 21, 2006 -- Arklow Shipping has placed orders with Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to supply integrated bridge systems (IBSs), featuring a new "paperless" navigation capability, for six new ships to be built in Spain.
The IBSs, built by the company's Sperry Marine business unit, will include dual electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) with official government electronic nautical charts (ENCs) in compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) carriage requirements, permitting them to sail without conventional paper charts.
In addition to the dual ECDIS consoles, Sperry Marine is supplying the complete suite of navigation electronics, including radars, autopilot and manual steering, heading and speed sensors, and other associated systems. Arklow's watch officers are being trained in the use of the ECDIS and other equipment at Sperry Marine's training center in New Malden, United Kingdom.
The six 3,000-gross-ton short-sea trading vessels are being constructed by Arklow at Murueta shipyard in Spain for delivery in 2006 and 2007. Sperry Marine is also supplying the same suite of equipment for six ships of the same class currently under construction at the Barkmeijer Stroobos shipyard in the Netherlands. The first two ships have already been delivered.
"Arklow Shipping is in the forefront of the movement to substitute ECDIS for paper charts under the IMO equivalency rules," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, director of Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine Systems. "As government ENCs become more available commercially, we expect to see more shipping companies embrace the paperless technology over the next few years."
Established in 1966, Arklow Shipping operates a fleet of 37 ships in sizes ranging from 2200 to 9000 gross tons. The company has built up a fleet of modern single-deck, box hold and container-fitted vessels for the carriage of project cargoes, grain, generals and bulk commodities. The company is headquartered in Ireland.
Sperry Marine, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With approximately 125,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.
For commercial sales inquiries, contact Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine by phone, +1 (434) 974-2656 or by e-mail, sales_commercial@sperry.ngc.com
For military sales inquiries, call +1 (434) 974-2134 or e-mail sales_military@sperry.ngc.com
Visit our Web site at www.sperrymarine.northropgrumman.com
CONTACT:
Jim Rhodes
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com
Tom Delaney
+1 (410) 993-6454
Thomas.delaney@ngc.com
