Robosys to Supply AI-driven Autonomous Control System for Legacy Marine USV
AI-driven maritime autonomy and smart-shipping specialist Robosys Automation has secured a contract from Legacy Marine of South Africa, for the supply and integration of AI systems for a fully autonomous USV.The bespoke fully autonomous AI-driven uncrewed surface vessel (USV) has been designed by Icarus Marine and will be constructed by Legacy Marine, which is headquartered in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), South Africa.The 9.5m USV can be launched from ashore or from floating platforms such as logistic support ships, frigates and other mothercraft, to perform patrol, surveillance, interdiction, search
Marine Telemetry: Shedding Light Below the Waves
breach the surface often. Between these periods, the tags can collect and store significant amounts of data regarding the manta ray’s movements.“I'm finding really interesting things and I think it's a great tool to highlight these critical areas,” explained Cullen. “In South Africa, for example, the mantas are hanging out in the sanctuary and they seem to be quite safeguarded there. Whereas in Mozambique, we don't have much marine protection and our mantas are declining rapidly. So, it’s important to be able to show this information to the government and be like
Russian Antarctic Vessel Docks in South Africa as Green Groups Protest
A Russian research vessel which has been prospecting for oil and natural gas in the Antarctic docked in South Africa on Saturday following protests by green campaigners who say its operations in the region violate a treaty banning mineral exploration.Several members of the Extinction Rebellion environmental group held banners reading "Hands off Antarctica" as the polar explorer ship Akademik Alexander Karpinsky arrived as scheduled in Cape Town's port during the morning.Earlier this week, several dozen protesters from Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion demonstrated at the port, saying
Polar POD Project Enters Shipyard Construction Phase in France
sustainable, the platform will produce all the energy it needs using wind turbines, which will require very strict management of the vessel’s energy expenditure. The construction process started on September 1, 2022, and will continue for a period of 2 years. Several sea trials off the coast of South Africa will be required before the scheduled departure of the expedition from Port Elizabeth in South Africa in the last quarter of 2024.What are the scientificobjectives?Little is known about the Antarctic Ocean due to its size, proximity and harsh living conditions. Driven by the Antarctic Circumpolar
MTN Lands 45,000km Subsea Cable in S. Africa to Boost Africa's Connectivity
MTN South Africa and MTN GlobalConnect, in partnership with a consortium, have landed a 45,000-kilometer subsea cable in South Africa, part of plans to build a subsea network to connect African countries to Europe and the Middle East.Africa's big economies have a fast growing population of internet users, with growth fuelled by rapidly expanding mobile broadband networks and affordable smartphones."Data traffic across African markets is expected to grow between four and five fold over the next 5 years, so we need infrastructure and capacity to meet that level of growth and demand," MTN
The Ship that Found Antarctica’s Endurance Wreck is Vital for Climate Science
the bottom of Antarctica’s Weddell Sea. (Shackleton and his entire crew survived the ordeal by escaping in smaller boats.)It was difficult to believe that the Endurance might ever be found. The icy Weddell Sea is inhospitable and the wreck lay in more than 3000 metres of water. But thanks to a South African vessel, the SA Agulhas II, Endurance was found in March 2022. It was the second time the polar icebreaker reached the coordinates that Endurance’s Captain Frank Worsley recorded as the ship went down. The first was in 2019; the ship was not located on that occasion.The tale of the Endurance
Shell Seismic Survey Approval Complied with Rules, S.Africa Minister Says
Shell's plan for seismic testing on South Africa's Wild Coast, which critics say threatens dolphins, seals, whales, penguins and other rare sea life, received all necessary environmental approvals, the country's energy minister said in a letter to parliament.In a written reply to questions that was released by parliament late on Wednesday, Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said no shortcuts had been made in the process."As part of the exploration right application, an environmental impact assessment was carried out in 2013 (and) no objections were received," the letter said."All
S. Africa Court Stymies Shell Offshore Seismic Survey
A South African high court today blocked Shell from conducting seismic testing offshore from South Africa's pristine Wild Coast, in the latest ruling in a case seeking to prevent the oil major from exploring for oil and gas.On Dec. 3 a different high court order gave Shell the go-ahead to conduct an extensive seismic survey off South Africa's eastern coast, but this is stopped by Tuesday's ruling that forms part of a broader court application contending Shell did not have the necessary environmental approvals."We respect the court’s decision and have paused the survey while we
Tracking Invasive Species Carried by Ship to South Africa
Saldanha Bay harbor on the west coast of South Africa has long been an important point for global shipping routes. It was also the port of entry for an unwanted stow-away: the Mediterranean mussel. The species first appeared in South Africa in the late 1980s, and has spread along the west and south coasts. It has displaced native species, increased the areas covered by mussel beds, and damaged infrastructure like pipes, jetties and aquaculture equipment.Saldanha is one of eight major maritime ports and 23 marinas and yacht clubs in South Africa through which marine alien species have entered South
February 2024
