AI, digitalisation and fast connectivity create smart offshore vessels  

"On predictive maintenance, based on data from sensors, we are partnering with hardware providers and Bureau Veritas for planned maintenance, managing spares, maintenance costs, safety and compliance.” 

Dipai has developed technology to use AI and machine learning for more effective data analytics in a digital fleet platform for enhanced operations and maintenance. 

This uses sensor data from engines, thrusters, navigation equipment, machinery loads, tank levels and fuel consumption to gain a “big picture of performance analytics, and to automatically detect operational modes” which are used for fuel and emissions reporting and “data-driven insights” said Dipai chief executive, Andre Listou Ellefsen.

In his presentation, he described several use cases including comparing manual crew reporting and operational data on a platform supply vessel in Q1 2024; a dynamic machinery baseline, using AI to indicate most favourable machinery configurations; comparing vessel performance before and after hull and propulsion cleaning; and condition-based maintenance on construction support vessels.

Ascenz Marorka is using AI to monitor fuel consumption, engine and propulsion performance, and condition-based maintenance. It is working with several oil majors to monitor fuel use on ships in various global regions to gain a better understanding of consumption and crew behaviour, said Ascenz Marorka head of customer success management, Serena Lim.

“AI is also used to monitor vessel bunkering, provide information on speed optimisation and understand various vessel operations and modes,” she said.

All these technologies require communications between offshore vessels, shore and cloud-based applications, which requires reliable connectivity, said Inmarsat Maritime vice president for offshore, Eric Griffin.

To ensure this communication remains reliable, Inmarsat has introduced NexusWave, a fully managed service offering secure connectivity with no limits. This service combines Inmarsat geostationary orbiting Global Xpress satellites for Ka-band and L-band communications with Eutelsat OneWeb low-Earth orbit satellites and long-term evolution (LTE) coastal and offshore networks where available.

This offers “unlimited data and unthrottled data usage in fully managed services” said Mr Griffin. “Reliable connectivity and real-time data drives insights and enables owners to avoid idle time and optimise fuel consumption.” Mr Griffin said NexusWave would soon be augmented by ViaSat-3 satellites. 

North Star newbuilds certified to IACS cyber-resilience standards 

North Star has become the first owner to secure cyber resilience certification for its vessels built to support commissioning, maintenance and operations on offshore windfarms. The Aberdeen, UK-headquartered vessel owner worked with Lloyd’s Register (LR) to ensure its newbuild vessels comply with new cyber resilience certification introduced by International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in July 2024. 

North Star said its newbuild commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) vessels are the first in the world to achieve LR’s cyber resilience classification. Grampian Kestrel and Grampian Eagle have been formally approved by LR to comply with IACS unified requirement (UR) E26 for cyber resilience of ships.

These were built to VARD 4 22 design at Vard Langsten shipyard in Norway as part of North Star’s plans to add to its fleet supporting the growing offshore renewables sector. North Star plans to add 40 SOVs and CSOVs by 2040. 

IACS US E26 strengthens a vessel’s ability to withstand cyber attacks; continue operating even when under threat; be capable of quick recovery after incidents; and ensures the protection of personnel and onboard systems, while maintaining critical offshore operations.

“Being the first to certify our newbuilds under these new IACS standards demonstrates our commitment to safe, smart and sustainable offshore operations,” said North Star chief executive, Gitte Gard Talmo.

Grampian Kestrel was undertaking sea trials near Ulsteinvik, Norway, near the end of April, before sailing to begin its contract at EnBW’s He Dreiht windfarm project in Germany. Grampian Eagle is still at the shipyard, preparing for a contract starting in July.