February 1977 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News

Kockums Computer System Speeds Decision Making In Ship Accidents

A complete computer system, which serves to minimize ecological damage and financial loss from ship accidents at sea, is now being marketed by Kockums Automation, a member of The Kockums Group of companies which includes one of the world's major shipyards.

The software system, called The Kockums T-90, facilitates rapid decision making for ships involved in accidents, so as to reduce the risk of environmental damage from oil spills and diminish economic loss.

The T-90 system is serviced by a worldwide network of computers offering round-the-clock service, and functions as a data bank operating 24 hours a day.

Owners of ships subscribe to the system, and all pertinent information regarding each ship, together with the program, are stored in this data bank for use by the shipowners, charterers, salvage companies, etc. No previous experience is necessary to run the system.

In the event of an emergency or accident, a salvage company can quickly retrieve information on the ship in question from Kockums T-90, and use the program to make an immediate decision as to optimal course of action. For example, a decision as to the safest way to unload oil from a grounded tanker to prevent further damage to the tanker or to prevent oil spills, can be made in a matter of minutes by the Kockums T-90. Without the use of this data bank, such calculations might take days, or even weeks.

Data for more than 3,500 ships of all types, supplied with the Kockums loading instruments, the Loadmaster computers or the Loadicators, are at Kockums disposal, and may be readily stored in this data bank at the discretion of the shipowners.

Development of the Kockums T-90 has involved close and intensive cooperation with shipowners, salvage companies, insurance companies, marine classification societies, and regulatory bodies.

The T-90 system can also be used for control of hull stresses, trim and draft of ships in connection with loading and unloading of cargo, in order to increase the efficiency and safety aboard ship.

The Kockums T-90 system is marketed in the United States by Marine Measurements, Inc. For additional information, contact W. Grunow, Marine Measurements, Inc., 115 Park Avenue, Summit, N.J. 07901.

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