Image source: Internet
Shipping News: Straits CommNet Solutions Sdn Bhd (“SCS”), an indirect subsidiary of Malaysia Exchange Main Market listed company Straits Energy Resources Bhd, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its 20%-owned associate company, world-leading shipyard operator Horizon Shipyard Inter Globe (M) Sdn Bhd (“Horizon”). According to the agreement, the two parties will jointly design, develop, and deploy smart shipyard solutions at the Horizon shipyard facility.
This collaboration aims to integrate solar energy, AI security monitoring systems, drones with AI monitoring systems, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software systems to create an interconnected, data-driven smart shipyard.
As envisioned, the implementation of drones and AI monitoring systems is expected to help Horizon Shipyard automate the collection of key awareness data and utilize AI analytics to optimize processes, achieve anomaly prediction and early warning, and enable strategic resource allocation. By deploying these systems and other smart shipyard functions, Horizon Shipyard is expected to significantly enhance its facility’s operational efficiency, production efficiency, and energy utilization efficiency.
As a well-known shipyard in Malaysia, Horizon Shipyard focuses on the construction, repair, and maritime services of commercial vessels. As Malaysia increasingly emphasizes building Asia’s shipbuilding and repair hub, related industry investments have continuously increased, rising from RM65.8 million in 2021 to RM363 million in 2022.
SCS will act as the designated solutions and equipment provider, supporting the aforementioned integrated technologies and enhancing Horizon Shipyard’s infrastructure capabilities. According to its Chief Executive Officer, Sunny Ho Khin Choy, this project will utilize SCS’s comprehensive digital transformation and upgrade capabilities to modernize the shipyard’s infrastructure, helping it explore new opportunities and achieve sustained growth as an emerging player in the maritime industry. In his view, this collaboration is an excellent opportunity to expand the digital solutions business, while also aligning with the group’s strategy of diversifying its business with telecommunications and network services as key growth engines.
Horizon Shipyard Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Mark Kuang Chia Chun, stated, “The digital transformation of the shipyard is expected to increase operational flexibility, boost production capacity, and ultimately enhance productivity and competitiveness. By digitizing and automating shipbuilding processes and integrating drone and AI systems throughout the facility, we aim to manage complex projects with greater precision and efficiency while improving employee safety levels. We look forward to leveraging SCS’s comprehensive digital transformation and Industry 4.0 capabilities to create one of Malaysia’s first smart shipyards, pioneering a new paradigm for Malaysia’s shipbuilding industry.”
Image source: Straits Technology Solutions
SCS is a 70%-owned subsidiary of Straits Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, which in turn is a 75%-owned subsidiary of Straits Energy Resources Bhd. SCS has consistently focused on providing cross-industry digital transformation solutions, including Internet of Things (IoT), cloud services, automation, artificial intelligence, smart technology and infrastructure, and telecommunications solutions, while also participating in 4G and 5G network deployments.
