Innovation

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced three new ocean innovation projects valued at more than $9 million, including the $940K Amphibian UWILD Remote Robotic Platform Project. This new, collaborative OSC project will increase the speed and accuracy of ship hull inspections and reduce the risks associated with diving crews, benefiting the shipping industry in Canda, the UK, and globally. 

This project is led by Halifax, NS-based Marine Thinking, in partnership with Innvotek and Innovate UK, both in London, England. With a total project value of $942, 871 Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is investing $330, 560 with the balance of funding coming from project partners. 

The project will allow Marine Thinking to develop a Launch and Recovery System (LARS) for Innvotek’s Amphibian “Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Dry-docking” (UWILD) solution. The Amphibian UWILD offers a safe, technology-driven, and cost-effective robotic solution for underwater inspections, crucial for the thousands of vessels needing inspections. Due to its weight and various payload options, the Amphibian UWILD requires deployment from a LARS. Marine Thinking’s LARS will feature remote control capabilities and ensure efficient and safe deployment and retrieval of the Amphibian robot.   

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Rutter Inc., a leading provider of advanced radar solutions, is proud to announce a collaboration with Wärtsilä, a global leader in smart technologies, and Seaspan Shipyards, a leading shipbuilder, to deliver the cutting-edge sigma S6 Oil Spill Detection and Ice Navigator™ systems for a new icebreaker being built in British Columbia, Canada, as part of the Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Program.

The collaboration between Rutter Inc., Wärtsilä, and Seaspan underscores a shared commitment to innovation, safety, and environmental protection in polar regions. By combining Rutter Inc.’s expertise in radar-based technologies, Wärtsilä’s marine technology, and Seaspan’s vessel construction expertise, the companies aim to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the high Arctic environment.

Rutter’s sigma S6 Oil Spill Detection System leverages cutting-edge sensor technology and real-time data analysis, empowering operators to swiftly identify and address potential oil spill incidents, safeguarding sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

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Canadian entrepreneur Mo AlGermozi has found a way to put graphene into a hull coating and apply it to ships. The result, he said, is a coating that is tough enough to handle icy waters, does not have any biocides but keeps hull growth to a minimum and is extremely smooth so vessel performance does not deteriorate. His start-up is Graphite Innovation & Technologies (GIT), a spin-off from his research into graphite at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia about a decade ago. After he discovered how to make his own graphene from graphite while studying material engineering, he and co-founder Marciel Gaier launched GIT to focus on the maritime industry.

The company now has several vessels’ hulls coated with his product and has moved to bigger offices, still in Nova Scotia.

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Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced three new ocean innovation projects valued at more than $9 million, including the $4.5M Forecast AI Project led by Victoria, BC-based MarineLabs. This new, collaborative OSC project will support operational efficiencies, improve marine safety, and grow ocean AI technology. 

MarineLabs’ Forecast AI enables hyper-localized, highly accurate weather forecasts for the marine industry. Current publicly available forecasting models struggle to capture the precise topographic features influencing local wind and wave formation, hindering marine operations such as mariner working conditions and vessel port approaches. More accurate weather intelligence for port operations and vessel pilots will mean significant efficiency advantages, improved overall marine safety, and reduction to greenhouse gas creation. 

This project will leverage Artificial Intelligence capabilities to push Canada to the forefront of marine weather intelligence, further growing our competitive advantage and leadership in the sustainable ocean economy as well as in ocean AI. The use of AI combined with extensive observed data from MarineLabs’ expanding sensor network will provide access to high accuracy forecasts from numerous coastal locations around an area of interest, such as a port, offering actionable insights to optimize maritime operations and improve safety. 

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International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) member states have adopted the first set of operational standards within the S-100 framework.

The S-100 framework enables the integration of diverse datasets within a single Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). 

Mariners will now be able to combine various data layers such as Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), detailed depth information and dynamic information on water level and currents to enhance situational awareness and decision-making.

The adoption of the operational standards paves the way for coastal states to offer official products and services based on these standards which are expected to have profound implications for ocean data collection and sea surveys, as these new products will require enhanced data in order to realize their full potential.

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Do you have a vision for innovation? The IDEaS NORAD Modernization S&T contest opens the door for technologies at early stages of development to assist in the continental defence of North America.

This IDEaS challenge offers support to Canadian innovators through the NORAD modernization science and technology stream.

Visit the challenge page for all the details you need to apply.

All applications must be submitted by 15:00 EST February 6, 2025.

The IDEaS team 

ECPINS at every touchpoint of the navigators' journey  

• Ten Rheinmetall Navigation simulators will be powered by OSI's ECPINS WECDIS
• Ultimate preparation for rapid deployment through common look, feel, and interoperability
• A significant project for OSI as it grows its European presence                          

OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) is pleased to announce it has been contracted by Rheinmetall to deliver ECPINS WECDIS for the base navigation simulators produced by Rheinmetall for the German Navy. This is marking a significant step in the utilization of ECPINS for naval operations.   

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Four innovators have been awarded funding to further develop their promising concepts under the Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) concept development call for proposals. The concepts are looking at ways to detect and defeat micro and mini drones. The ultimate goal would be to integrate these systems into the broader military command and control system. Visit the CUAS Concept Development web page for the list of innovators who are working in this critical space.

Have a promising concept you would like to develop and missed the first call? A second call for CUAS concepts is currently underway and closes on April 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM EDT. As with the first call, innovators will be eligible for up to $2.5 million in funding per project to advance their concepts into tangible technology, ready to be tested in a real-world environment!

The Port of Riga has joined a consortium of Latvia, the UK and Canada to develop a solution for a single Remote Operations Centre (ROC).

Last week, maritime and ICT professionals along with researchers from the three countries took part in a workshop held at the Freeport of Riga Authority. Together, they will collaborate on developing a solution for Remote Operation and Control (ROC) platform. This platform will serve as the foundation for an advanced testing facility for shipping and port operations in each of the project partner countries.

The project’s lead partner is the UK maritime innovation company On The Layline Limited.

The Canadian partners are the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University at St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and St. John’- based Angler Solutions, a consulting firm specialized in the evolving energy and ocean technology sectors.

ROC project partners from Latvia are the Freeports of Riga and Ventspils, Liepaja SEZ, as well as Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) and Riga Technical University (RTU).

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Thales Canada and COVE invite SMEs and Start-Ups to participate in two exciting Naval Technology Innovation Challenges. We are seeking proposal submissions for innovative naval maintenance and dockyard technology solutions.

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In June, 2021, at the NATO Annual Summit, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the creation of DIANA – the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic. In April 2022, NATO member foreign ministers approved DIANA’s charter along with the creation of a 1 billion euro innovation fund.

According to NATO, the program “provides dual-use innovators in NATO countries with funding and a fast track to adapt their solutions for defence and security needs.” “Dual-use” refers to the development or adaptation of civilian software and technology for defence and security purposes. The goal of DIANA is to provide funding and resources that can help researchers and start-ups accelerate their work. 

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The Government of Canada is spurring economic growth, helping create well-paying jobs and growing our competitive advantage by investing in ideas, businesses and communities. Through the Global Innovation Clusters program, the government established a new approach to innovation: building accelerated and strong ecosystems in industries where Canada leads.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that each cluster will receive renewed support to expand its national presence and deepen its impact at home and abroad...

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The U.S. Army, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, is now accepting concept white papers for its xTechInternational Competition. The competition is open to international entities including small to medium businesses and academic and research institutions interested in tackling current challenges in the advanced manufacturing and materials space. Up to $530,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to eligible participants, which includes Canadian innovators. 

 In addition to the cash prizes, the xTechInternational competition will provide:

• Direct access to Department of Defense and international stakeholders;
• Transparent and detailed feedback from multi-disciplinary experts; and
• Mentoring and educational opportunities through their accelerator programming.
   

The competition is open now and accepting concept white paper submissions until 13:00 GMT (8:00 a.m. EST) March 2, 2023.

For more information, visit the xTechInternational competition web page.  

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are preparing for a quantum world and are looking for your knowledge and expertise.  The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program will be funding up to $3 million per successful proposal to create multidisciplinary research micro-networks (micro-nets) through its Innovation Networks element to build expertise in the field of quantum technology.

IDEaS will fund micro-nets to develop, integrate and demonstrate quantum technologies that can revolutionize current defence and security capabilities in:

• Quantum sensing and sensors (including for positioning, navigation and timing);
• Quantum communications; and
• Quantum computing, simulations and algorithms

Submit your letter of intent (LOI) by 14:00 (EST) Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

For more information, visit our Innovation Networks page.