Damen: how to integrate digital systems on tugs, OSVs

Embedding digital systems in the earliest design stages of tugs, workboats, and offshore support vessels can maximise the benefits from digitalisation and automation.

According to shipbuilder Damen Shipyards team leader for digital integration, Pam van Zaanen, digital systems cannot be stand-alone items as they need to communicate to deliver data to the vessel’s automation and operator.

Some of the key benefits from digitalisation and insights from data analytics include optimising operations, predictive maintenance, route planning and enhanced safety, said Ms van Zaanen during a video interview at Riviera’s 28th ITS Convention in Gothenburg, on 19 May.

She said there were various challenges in implementing digitalisation, including the hidden digital dependencies, connectivity limitations, data communications protocols, and cybersecurity.

"We need to manage the interconnections and the communications, and make sure we know the configurations and the compatibility of various systems," Ms van Zaanen said. "Systems need to be cyber-secure by design and compatible and talking with each other," she concluded.