Marport has announced that it has signed a Product Development Agreement (PDA) with the marine division of Rolls-Royce.

The PDA resulted from a Memorandum of Understanding that both companies formalised in late 2007. Under the PDA, Marport and Rolls-Royce will develop software defined, wireless acoustic sensors for deck machinery controls used in commercial fishing, offshore supply and service and ocean energy applications.

Marport and Rolls-Royce will co-develop sensors and data analysis systems to maximise deck machinery utilisation and automation. It is expected that the initial solutions will be deployed in the global fishing industry as part of a new Rolls-Royce E-Trawl™ system. When integrated with Marport’s software-defined acoustic sensors, a fishing vessel’s auto-trawl control system will be supplied with real-time trawl performance information that enables the gear to be automatically adjusted for optimised fishing.

Karl Kenny, Marport president and CEO said, “Marport is very pleased to continue its collaboration with Rolls-Royce Marine to further develop our software defined sensors for new applications in commercial fishing and offshore energy.”

“This agreement provides Rolls-Royce with access to Marport’s market leading sensor technologies that will broaden our product offering in next generation deck machinery control systems. We hope to continue our co-operation with Marport to develop other new technologies and products to serve future market demands,” said Sveinung Giske, general manager sales in the marine division of Rolls-Royce.