IoT to detect vessel performance anomalies

Dell Technologies and Arundo Analytics formed a strategic partnership to improve onboard connectivity and deploy IoT technology across vessel fleets

Shipowners and managers will be able to detect vessel performance anomalies with the next generation of internet of things (IoT) connectivity and analytics software. They can already detect anomalies in critical onboard equipment, including engines, pumps and compressors using data analytics.

However, a combination of machine learning, statistical modelling and analytics of a wide field of data sources from voyage and machinery information will expand this to cover the whole vessel, said Arundo Analytics vice president for strategic partnerships Martin Lundqvist.

He provided his thoughts on the future of maritime IoT and onboard connectivity to Maritime Digitalisation & Communications following the announcement in November 2018 of a collaboration between Dell Technologies and Arundo Analytics to deliver IoT solutions to shipping.

Their partnership will provide vessel crews with plug-and-play advanced analytics to improve ship and fleet operations. It combines Dell Technologies’ new IoT bundle and Arundo’s software and cloud technology for maritime applications.

“We expect analytics products to be simple yet powerful and highly scaleable,” Mr Lundqvist explained. “Arundo’s out-of-the-box maritime application will enable ship operators to very quickly access any selection of streaming key performance indicators (KPIs) across their fleet.”

These KPIs include indicators of fuel consumption, engine performance, weather conditions and voyage efficiency, which will be analysed to generate performance information for the whole vessel. “More advanced data products will emerge based on statistical models and machine learning,” said Mr Lundqvist. These will “support ship operators in the early detection of potential vessel performance anomalies.”

2019 deployments

From 2019, Dell Technologies and Arundo will together deliver connectivity and IoT for seafarers and fleet managers to select, buffer, stream, compute and run advanced analytics on a range of signal data from critical equipment and systems.

“This particular collaboration is aimed at ship operators, owners and service providers looking to harness the potential of full streaming data transparency across their fleets,” said Mr Lundqvist. This technology is suitable for deployment on commercial shipping, tugboats, offshore exploration and supply vessels and cruise ships.

“Owners looking to harness the potential of full streaming data transparency across their fleets”

Their solution involves Dell Edge Gateway 5100 devices preloaded with Arundo Edge Agent software. It enables data streaming from onboard machinery and other vessel systems, while remotely linking bridge systems for diagnostics and remote support. “Our technology can be integrated with surrounding data infrastructure in order to display the results on existing bridge systems,” said Mr Lundqvist. “Our focus is on enabling the fastest and most convenient route from industrial IoT data to operational value.”

There are a few of these deployed on tugboats and supply vessels as pilot projects, but Mr Lundqvist expects more to follow. “We expect scaled deployment to commence during 2019 and peak the following year,” he said.

High demand

There are huge maritime and offshore markets to cover with IoT solutions as demand for data analytics and performance information increases. “These sectors are desperate for an independent software suite enabling end-to-end data and analytics solutions,” said Mr Lundqvist.

“These sectors are desperate for an independent software suite enabling end-to-end data and analytics solutions”

“This is for all participants in the maritime eco-system, ranging from equipment manufacturers to ship operators, service providers, certifiers and insurers.” With Dell technology, he expects Arundo will “demonstrate a quick path to advanced analytics products.”

Dell Technologies head of global OEM and IoT partnerships Chris Wolff thinks its partnership with Arundo will advance analytics for improving vessel performance. “Crews and field personnel will have a plug-and-play solution to stream ship-to-cloud or run advanced analytics locally, even while offline, to improve ship, fleet, or field operations,” she said.

Arundo Analytics provides cloud-based and edge-enabled software. Dell Technologies provides robust computers and connectivity devices in maritime and oil and gas industries. IoT makes machine-to-machine connectivity possible and prioritises critical data, only transmitting what is necessary from ship to shore.