Marine software engineering cluster of excellence in Malta, MARSEC-XL, announced that Sunseeker International Limited, a global leader in the design and building of luxury motoryachts, has joined the cluster.
MARSEC-XL, the only cluster of its kind in the world, sets out to shape the digital future of the yachting industry, focusing on marine systems and software engineering. It aims to provide a sustainable chain of innovation encompassing a range of activities from applied research, education and training to business operations and technology transfer.
MARSEC-XL, which has been based in Malta since last October, has been established as a neutral ground where leading brands come together for collaborative work.
“With Sunseeker joining as a founding industry member we have a complete group to bring yachting technologies forward. The cluster will now progress into an exciting phase with practical experimentation and new technologies to be demonstrated,” said MARSEC-XL CEO, Geir Fagerhus.
Within the past year, MARSEC-XL has identified a lacuna in the marine systems and software engineering aspects of yacht building. This niche is of extensive potential given Malta’s strong ICT orientation and maritime heritage, location in the middle of the yachting market and the high potential marine infrastructure centred around the Grand Harbour.
Mr Fagerhus explained that Malta was ideal for the cluster since all its needs, including the airport, university, MCAST and marinas were within a five kilometre radius.
The MARSEC-XL steering committee includes the Malta Maritime Authority, University of Malta, MCAST, Malta Council for Science and Technology, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communications and the Malta Enterprise. The company said it was also working closely with ICT and Engineering faculties at university as well as MCAST in developing its latest research and technology.
MARSEC-XL’s main revenue is related to industry projects which it will be developing on a new yacht based at the Grand Harbour Marina, Vittoriosa. It is currently working on 15 projects focusing on areas with increased software dependency and eco-friendly measures.
These will include ergonomics, infotainment, navigation electronics, communications, comfort systems, performance monitoring and diagnostics as well as new inventions while using alternative energy sources to make operations more safe and pleasant. Although the developed technologies will be extensive, MARSEC-XL will be working to scale them down to be used in private boats or scaled up for cruise liners and commercial services.
Besides employing a number of professionals as researchers, marine technicians and engineers, MARSEC-XL is putting Malta on the yachting industry map, Mr Fagerhus said.