Major OSV owner takes another digitalisation stride

SolstadFarstad has put another digitalisation process in place as it continues to seek cost reductions across its fleet of offshore support vessels.

This Norwegian group has contracted GNS to provide a fixed-price bundle of digital e-navigation products for its entire navigation requirements on its fleet.

SolstadFarstad operates 145 vessels, including 32 construction service vessels, 50 anchor handling tug supply vessels and 63 platform supply vessels.

Its chief executive Lars Peder Solstad said earlier this year that the group was looking to implement IT to cut operating costs, while speaking at Riviera Maritime Media’s Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference. And this agreement with GNS is the latest in this strategy.

SolstadFarstad has consolidated its entire navigation information requirements under a single supplier. It has simplified electronic navigational chart (ENC) purchasing with the transition from a buying on-demand programme to a fleet-wide fixed-price bundle.

GNS’ service includes digital publications and route-specific navigation products with analysis of vessel and fleet ENC requirements.

SolstadFarstad chief operating officer Tor Inge Dale said the company expects to “achieve significant savings and purchasing efficiencies” through this agreement.

“Sourcing our navigational data this way allows vessels to get very fast access to what they actually need and significantly reduces the administration time we spend on purchasing navigational products as well as removing the costs associated with processing large numbers of small transactions.”

SolstadFarstad can use GNS analysis to manage navigation spending across its fleet. It has reduced administration and improved compliance assurance.

GNS monitors compliance and automatically sends out new edition products and licences when required. It also offers the Voyager hub and planning station for route planning and navigation management with information on weather and risk alerts.

As part of this digitalisation strategy, SolstadFarstad is working with Yxney Maritime on reducing fuel costs and emissions. This involved using the Yxney fuel efficiency software MarESS, which enables charterers to track each vessel working under contract and monitor fuel consumption.

Earlier in May, SolstadFarstad awarded a five-year contract to Global Maritime and UniSea for provision of software that manages dynamic positioning on its vessels. The software is intended to avoid downtime on vessels and boost the knowledge and experience of employees.