Classification societies have published new guidance for condition-based maintenance (CBM) and upgraded software for ship design
ABS, ClassNK and Lloyd’s Register (LR) introduced their new guidance and software as ship operators seek to optimise vessel design, operations and class services.
Japan-headquartered ClassNK released its CBM Guidelines this week which provide an explanation to ClassNK’s revised rules for using CBM in class surveys, introduced this year.
CBM involves monitoring the operating condition and performance of onboard equipment. Shipping companies can use these data streams to diagnose the state of equipment and identify whether any issues will impact performance. Data analytics can also help owners identify anomalies, predict when potential faults will occur and organise maintenance and inspections to prevent issues turning into equipment failures.
CBM can also be used to manage inspection periods and class of vessels.
ClassNK’s Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships stipulate that maintenance methods based on the results of condition diagnosis can be used for class surveys.
ClassNK reviewed rules required for adopting CBM in class maintenance surveys, which came into force in January 2020. Its new CBM Guidelines explain the revised rules and how to apply them to use CBM in class surveys. Its guidance also has general explanations and future outlooks on CBM.
Ship design software developed by one of ClassNK’s affiliates, Napa, can be imported into software updated by ABS and LR’s joint venture Common Structural Rules Software (CSRS). This software provides users with an easy way to evaluate ship designs against established and harmonised class societies’ common structural rules.
ABS and LR released updates to CSRS software with new functionality for both prescriptive analysis (PA) and finite element analysis (FEA) applications. Naval architects can design ships using Napa software ready for evaluation by classification societies.
CSRS’ new PA function enables users to directly import the Napa cross-sectional structural data to quickly create new ship models using an existing Napa model. FEA software allows users to evaluate designs at local levels, such as building a fine mesh model outside of the global ship model allowing multiple engineers to work on a design simultaneously.
This software has been cross-checked by the International Association of Classification Societies. Improvements in software ensure users can check compliance to IACS’ common structural rules for their ship designs.
ClassNK has concluded a joint research agreement for developing advanced CBM processes with Japanese groups NYK, Japan Engine Corp and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co.
ABS has introduced CBM-based class and is testing this on an offshore support vessel operated by DP World’s P&O Maritime Logistics. Details of this test are in the latest issue of Maritime Optimisation & Communications, published this month.
Condition-based maintenance and optimal ship designs will be discussed at Riviera Maritime Media’s Optimised Ship Forum, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on 18 May
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