Uncrewed vessels, digitalisation improve vessel efficiency

Remote monitoring and digitalisation are providing vessel owners and propulsion manufacturers with vast levels of data, providing insight into the condition and performance of thrusters and propellers.

Steerprop has introduced condition monitoring for its azimuth thrusters installed on OSVs, icebreakers, tugs and workboats.

Information from sensors provides insights for managing maintenance, drydocking schedules and performance during dynamic positioning (DP) and long vessel transits.

Steerprop offshore segment director Anu Peippo said digital packages enable wear on the shaft seal to be measured, along with the condition and performance of propellers and fine-tuning of thrusters.

She said owners could "increase drydocking intervals, customise nozzles, monitor seals, review thruster dynamics and improve DP station-keeping" using digitalisation.

"For DP, vessels need quick, responsive thrusters, designed for specific vessel operations," said Ms Peippo.

Data is also important when planning and designing subsea support vessels, whether they are built from new or converted for subsea operations.

Ulstein International chief designer Øyvind Gjerde Kamsvåg said subsea support vessels are built for specific requirements, but have the flexibility to operate in several markets.

When repurposing or retrofitting vessels, automation and control systems need to "interface with existing vessel systems", he said. Conversion projects need an "integrated system approach with the hull, propulsion, automation, operations and energy generation all considered".

Data enables naval architects to optimise vessel designs, improving hull and propulsion efficiency and enabling "energy buffering and peak shaving". 

"Around 10% to 30% energy reductions are possible without needing to change fuels," said Mr Kamsvåg.