ClassNK endorses system that monitors engine, propulsion and hull efficiency

Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies has received ClassNK’s innovation endorsement for products and solutions for its ship energy efficiency monitoring system (SEEMS).

According to its Mumbai-based developers, SEEMS is a diagnostic tool that assists shipowners and chief engineers in early identification of maintenance-related issues that have the potential to create significant increases in fuel consumption in a vessel’s main engines.

The SEEMS system uses data, gathered from monitoring a vessel’s hull and propulsion system, to optimise an owner’s maintenance schedules, fuel consumption and engine loads. It can identify a fouled hull, loss of propulsion efficiency, lower thermal efficiency of the main engines and frequent and high-angle movements of the rudder.

Samundra Institute said SEEMS is “an optimisation tool that helps the operational decision-making process for choosing the preferable combination of main engine rpm and vessel trim for energy efficient voyages with optimal CO2 emission indicator score”.

ClassNK grants its third-party certification for equipment and software technology, known as an innovation endorsement, to support the deployment of products and services into industry after a period of evaluation and review. ClassNK’s innovation endorsement programme covers of three areas of product and vessel development: ships, products and providers. Through the programme, ClassNK says it will work with businesses to develop evaluation standards and support their expansion and industry adoption.