Information and computer technology is helping shipowners and operators to construct, operate and maintain their ships more efficiently, and facilitate better communication with classification societies. DNV’s wide-ranging Nauticus software system allows for total integration of all aspects of a ship over its lifetime. Access to this information from an operator’s side is about to be put into practice on the 310,000 dwt ore and oil carrier Tijuca, managed by Barber Ship Management.
Arnesen believes that ship operators stand to gain significant economic and safety benefits from expanding the application of information and computer technology throughout the industry. Increased availability of information about a ships condition helps to reduce maintenance costs and provides the operator with a better basis for decision making, enabling him to make the right decisions at the right time. This view is shared by BMCs design group manager Geir Fagerheim, who believes better information flow between the ship operator and classification societies can raise the efficiency of inspection and control routines, while closer links with the yards can further improve efficiency.
Access from the operators side to the information from the Nauticus system will now be tested on Barbers VLOOC Tijuca - providing a real case for how this may be utilised in Barbers shipping operations, according to Fagerheim. Barber, the management arm of major Norwegian shipowner Wilh.Wilhelmsen, has full or partial responsibility for 195 vessels; its main offices are located in Kuala Lumpur.
A lifetime picture
The Nauticus system is centred around a product model, i.e. a database that contains all the relevant data on a ship. Apart from the definition of the hull, with its geometry, data on all the strength elements is included, supplemented by all information gathered throughout the ships lifetime. Eventually, equipment and engine data will also be added.
The system encompasses the results of surveys, continually enhanced with pictures, thickness measurements, state of the paintwork and, for example, damage to the hull. All this information, taken together, provides an overall picture of the ships state and may be accessed by all relevant parties, including ship managers. Access from the operators side takes place through the software system DNV Exchange Nauticus, which can also be used to plan and monitor surveys.
Through DNV Exchange Nauticus, owners and operators may further access a library of digital drawings as well as a full 3-D graphic model. This may be utilised for decision support services such as weight estimation for steel renewal and coating area estimation, contributing to more exact and optimal cost estimates, as well as better planning of maintenance and repairs.
Barbers Oslo office has contributed to the development and testing of this new system during the past eight months, and will now evaluate it for practical use on the Tijuca over a six-month period. This also includes training for both ship crews and for onshore staff in using the new technology.
Knut Arnesen says it is important that the system produces workable solutions that can be applied by ship operators, yards and class society. Our aim is that we will apply this new technology on more of our vessels to further improve our competitiveness.