Owners of offshore support vessels (OSVs) workboats and tugs can help owners to reduce energy and improve the efficiency of their assets using cyber-secure connectivity and digital solutions
Companies such as Boluda Towage, Kotug International, P&O Maritime Logistics, Svitzer, Uniwise and Zamil Offshore have reduced energy consumption and emissions through enhanced vessel operations, fleet management and scheduling.
Much more can be achieved through greater levels of automation, digitalisation and analytics, technology experts explained at Riviera Maritime Media’s OSJ Middle East Conference, in Dubai, UAE.
Kongsberg Maritime sales manager for digital solutions Ken Hellerud said an integrated system provides insights, information and applications, including precise positioning, automation, optimised energy management and other smart capabilities.
In his presentation, Mr Hellerud drew attention to the importance of high-quality data collection and management practices - from sensors to cloud interfaces - to drive actionable insights.
Opsealog business director Damien Bertin said vessel owners can work with data providers to build a solid data ecosystem while using information streams to reduce consumption and curb emissions. Owners could use insights to minimise high-consuming idle time, monitor vessel and fleet performance and promote better use of resources.
Mr Bertin said companies like Opsealog can boost digitalisation of maritime fleets throughout the entire value chain, unify reporting interfaces, integrate data systems to streamline processes, check data quality and provide cloud and desktop solutions.
DigitAll Ocean chief commercial officer Remy Ausset emphasised the need for offshore operators and vessel owners to implement centralised analytics platforms to shift from reactive to predictive operations. He highlighted the high costs and risks associated with manual reporting and random failures, and the benefits of digital innovation for safety, reliability and regulatory compliance. Mr Ausset also stressed the importance of methodical software integration, crew cross-training and data stewardship for offshore vessels.
Cyber security is essential for enabling digitalisation, enhanced vessel connectivity and communications.
Inmarsat Maritime sales director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Dennis Winterswijk highlighted the need to fortify cyber vigilance and security. He said this can be achieved through multi-layered security and physical network separation for crew, operational and client communications.
“We are investing heavily in data-driven and innovation solutions"
The risk of security breaches can be migrated through comprehensive cyber incident training and drills. Mr Winterswijk said key drivers for rising demand in secure satellite communications included decarbonisation, voyage optimisation, crew welfare, connectivity and the growing use of remote applications such as telemedicine, audits, class surveys and security camera streams.
He said digital technology alone could achieve up to a 38% reduction in absolute carbon emissions and increase profitability from 4% to 17% through greater connectivity and digital data processing.
Owner experience
Inmarsat helped Zamil Offshore meet Saudi Aramco’s performance expectations, Maersk Supply Service to optimise the performance of its vessels and Uniwise to address the threat of cyber attacks.
In the tugboat sector, where vessels manoeuvre ships in harbours, provide coastal and offshore towage and assist in rig moves, owners have reduced energy consumption and emissions.
At Riviera Maritime Media’s TUGTECHNOLOGY 23 conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in May 2023, Svitzer’s then chief operating officer Kasper Karlsen said the world’s largest tug owner was investing in digital solutions to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. “We are investing heavily in data-driven and innovation solutions that will drive further emissions reductions in the future,” he said.
Svitzer introduced its three-pronged decarbonisation strategy in 2022 to deliver its long-term decarbonisation targets of a 50% reduction in carbon intensity of the fleet by 2030 and to be fully carbon neutral by 2040.
In October, Boluda Towage reiterated its commitment to reducing emissions from towage operations worldwide as it completes the huge acquisition of Smit Lamnalco.
Boluda Towage Europe UK general manager Phil Dulson said the global tug owner has implemented fuel monitoring on its tugs to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.
Sensors on these tugs monitor fuel use and engine health, enabling masters to adjust their operations, such as slowing transit speeds to cut emissions.
Kotug International was one of the founders of a digital and analytic tool for planning tug schedules to optimise their use in ports to complete the required towage and docking work with minimal fuel consumption.
Additional reporting: Edwin Lampert
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