Page 40: of Marine News Magazine (December 2014)

suit. For example, by examining fuel consumption Þ gures during certain operating conditions, we are gaining a bet- ter understanding of how the consumption Þ gures change in relation to the nature of the work the vessel is perform- ing. This obviously allows us to better consider proposed charter rates based on a more accurate understanding of predicted fuel consumption.Ó Axcell declined to go into speciÞ cs, but nevertheless touched upon ongoing arrangements with gplink to pro- duce a dedicated module which would deal primarily with SolentÕs mandatory Ship Energy EfÞ ciency Management Plan (SEEMP) requirements. He added, for emphasis, ÒSo- lent Towage, being part of Ostensjo Rederi AS, takes a very proactive view on environmental issues and considers any system which can help reduce emissions, fuel consumption and environmental impact as highly important. In order to better protect the environment we must Þ rst better under- stand the impact we have on it. We hope that by using the gplink system we can better highlight our energy consump- tion during various operating conditions. Once we have a more accurate picture of how each vessel is performing, we can make procedural and design changes accordingly.Ó You get the idea that Simon Axcell and Solent towage are not yet Þ nished with their quest to see what else gplink can do. Others, just getting started in the remote monitoring game, are only now realizing the potential power of such a tool. And, for those still on the sidelines, the competition may soon be disappearing over the horizon. TECHNOLOGY?For Solent Towage, the decision to install gplink was originally taken in order to provide a solution to a localized problem concerning only one of our vessels. Since then, however, we have grown to appreciate gplink as a useful management tool, used primarily from a remote ofÞ ce location. That said; the Chief Engineers on-board have full password access to the website and also use the system to aid in reducing fuel consumption during speciÞ c operating conditions.? ? Simon Axcell, Chief Engineer with UK-based Ostensjo Rederi AS/ Solent Towage Ltd. December 201440 MNMN Dec14 Layout 32-49.indd 40MN Dec14 Layout 32-49.indd 4011/25/2014 11:08:52 AM11/25/2014 11:08:52 AM