Just three months after the launch of Nauticus Hull Integrity, DNV Software won new contracts for three major ship operators. The last member of the family is containership operator APL in Singapore, who signed a contract on Nauticus Hull Integrity for 12 of its container ships in October.
Nauticus Hull Integrity is the software tool supporting DNV’s Hull Integrity Management service line, which applies to all types of ships, including DNV-classed vessels and vessels with other class. Hull Integrity management is a practical concept developed over six years with a proven track record. It helps ship operators keep continuous control of hull condition, which may save cost and create business advantages.
Nauticus Hull Integrity has been developed since 2002, but has over the past year undertaken a major overhaul to fit with the total Hull Integrity Management concept. The software was re-launched during the Nor-Shipping exhibition in mid-June. Feedback from users in the pilot projects conducted over the past ten months shows that it is now perceived as an easy-to-use and robust web-based software, differentiating itself from similar software by incorporating DNV’s unique 3D technology and hull expertise.
APL is one of the more sophisticated and forward-looking owner/operators of containerships. It intends to keep ahead of legislation and on environmental issues. By signing up for the Hull Integrity Management service line with DNV, APL demonstrates its commitment to this goal. Nauticus Hull Integrity will be installed on 12 of its container ships. Six of these are classed with DNV, and six to other class societies. APL is part of the NOL group, whose operations cover more than 115 container ships.
Another important contract was signed in September, when Norwegian-based ship management company Klaveness Maritime Logistics decided to take on the full set of Hull Integrity Management services for its series of six bulk carriers. Klaveness considers Hull Integrity Management an important contribution to competence building for technical staff and ship officers, and as a means to retain staff. Through the training courses Hull Inspection Manuals and Nauticus Hull Integrity, Klaveness will get a powerful package of modern tools, inspection systematics and hull competence.
Also in September, the major oil tanker operator NITC decided to continue using Nauticus Hull Integrity on commercial terms after successfully having tested the system in a pilot project since January 2007. NITC will initially use the system on five VLCCs operated out of its Dubai branch, and is considering implementation of the system on its entire fleet of close to 40 tankers.
Winning these contracts with leading operators within the three major ship segments – tank, bulk and container carriers – proves that Nauticus Hull Integrity is now a mature solution supporting best practices in Planned Inspection and Maintenance Systematics.
Over the next months we will roll out the solution for APL, Klaveness and NITC, and in addition upgrade the solution for 36 vessels operated by one the world’s premier tanker carriers of clean oil products, the Danish shipping company TORM. We are also about to complete a pilot project with another major tank and bulk operator, BW in Singapore. So these are hectic, but exciting times.