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Northrop Grumman Will Supply Integrated Bridge Systems for Stena Line Ferry

Published Jan 14, 2011 2:49 PM by The Maritime Executive

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected to supply integrated bridge systems (IBS) for two new vehicle-passenger (RoPax) ferries being built for Stena Line at Wadan Yards in Wismar, Germany.

The IBSs for the two ships will be based on Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine’s advanced VisionMaster FT™ navigation technology with TotalWatch™ multi-function workstations. The scope of supply will include radars, electronic chart display and information systems, digital gyrocompasses, adaptive self-tuning autopilots, manual steering systems, voyage data recorders, automatic identification systems, GPS, echosounders, central alarm management systems, sound surveillance systems and complete communications stations to meet Global Maritime Distress and Safety System requirements.

Northrop Grumman will also supervise installation, commissioning and factory acceptance tests to meet Lloyd’s Register specifications.

The first of the two 240-meter 62,000 gross ton Superferries, Stena Hollandica III, will be delivered from the shipyard in May 2010, with the second ship, Stena Britannica III, to follow in October. The giant vessels will carry up to 300 trucks, 230 cars and 1,200 passengers. Both ships will be placed on the Hoek van Holland-Harwich route.

“Northrop Grumman enjoys an outstanding relationship with Stena Line, having supplied the IBSs and other equipment for many of the company’s vessels,” said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Naval Systems International at Northrop Grumman’s Naval and Marine Systems Division. “Our state-of-the-art electronic navigation technology, with TotalWatch multi-function workstations, will provide optimum situational awareness for the ships’ watch officers at sea.”

Stena Line operates ferries on 17 routes in Scandinavia, the North Sea and the Irish Sea. The company has a modern fleet of 35 vessels, including fast ferries, traditional combi-ferries, RoPax ferries for freight and passengers, and pure cargo ships.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.