Digitalisation, connectivity enables OSV owners' decarbonisation 

Inmarsat Maritime vice president for offshore and energy, Eric Griffin, explained how onboard data is increasingly used for condition-based and predictive maintenance to prevent machinery issues turning into breakdowns.

"Early detection of issues should lead to corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of underperformance and failure," he said. "There has been improvements in performance and energy consumption."

Data is sent over Inmarsat’s satellite constellation from ships to shore or cloud-based applications for analysis leading to operational insight.

Another application of satellite communications is connecting offshore personnel and seafarers with engineering experts onshore to tackle maintenance issues.

Mr Griffin said one US-based owner uses high-speed connectivity to monitor operations in real-time, apply remote diagnostics and integrate vessel IT with cloud-based and onshore digital networks.

Inmarsat satellites, those in low Earth orbit constellations and 4G networks are used to transfer energy and fuel monitoring data to shore for performance insights.

Ascenz Marorka managing director Jon Tan said around 3,000 ships worldwide are using its solution for energy monitoring. Sensors and flow meters measure fuel consumption, tank levels and analyse emissions, with this data displayed on the bridge for crew.

It is communicated to a cloud-based facility and can be viewed by fleet managers and superintendents for information on engine and vessel performance.

There is also a centre in Singapore for real-time performance monitoring, said Mr Tan. "We provide insight and advice. Owners and managers can see real-time key performance indicators," he added. "It is a combination of the right technology and expertise."

Online applications include fleet monitoring, detailed emissions reporting, measuring engine performance and running hours, machinery optimisation and smart bunkering.

Data transmission also enables vessel owners to use remote services to test dynamic positioning (DP) on their assets, with DP trials completed annually. Data can be directed to cloud-based software to manage DP trials and report findings, said DP & Marine Assurance Norway founder and managing director Peter Solvang.

Its Fleet DP management service keeps track of the annual trials on a fleet of vessels, providing alerts to managers when trials are due and whether findings have been resolved. Files are backed up with secure data and the database can be customised to client requirements.

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