Page 42: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2017)

Digital Technologies &

Turning Around

Marine Prospects in connectivity & the internet of things

Uncertain

Waters

BY TIM SCHWEIKERT,

PRESIDENT & CEO, GE MARINE SOLUTIONS he start of every year calls for as an industry, we are not ready to make spot inef? ciencies as well as detect po- for multiple specialists onboard vessels. time to re? ect on the last. The these decisions, or we are not adequately tential failure, up to weeks ahead. This With the backdrop of a skills shortage offshore and marine industry prepared to run with opportunities as the gives operators time to mitigate poten- looming in the industry, this connectivity

Tcan look back on 2016 as one market recovers. It may be much talked tial problems in advance, enhancing a maximizes the reach of an individual’s of the most bruising in recent memory. about, but the time really is right for the vessel’s operational ef? ciency through expertise and can help ease the impact of

The downturn has been tough and drawn digital revolution in offshore as the in- reduced downtime and increased pro- downsized teams.

out, with increased divestment, more dustry heads towards a new start. Digital ductivity. Data analytics tools also enable ener- stringent environmental regulations and solutions help to de-risk decisions, bring The predictivity will also enable the gy-ef? cient operations, as software can a prolonged shipbuilding cycle that has practical, actionable insights into vessel industry to switch from calendar-based forecast weather and wave conditions, resulted in overcapacity. and ? eet performance and provide prov- planned maintenance to condition-based helping inform the heading and opera-

However, challenges can be harnessed en opportunities to optimize operations maintenance, saving companies signi? - tional mode with optimized fuel con- as a force for progress. The downcy- in a sustainable way. cant maintenance expenditures. Insights sumption, a crucial advantage in com- cle has pushed the industry to reshape Breaking down data silos and data on the performance of a critical piece of plying with increased environmental its competitive landscape, probably a complexity are the ? rst crucial steps. equipment will allow tailoring mainte- regulations. With the objective of capi- change that has been overdue. Looking Through embedded sensors that enable nance to a speci? c piece of equipment. talizing on this emerging digital oppor- forward, 2017 will not be an easy year; the collection of data on critical vessel This will assure that maintenance ac- tunity, GE has developed SeaStream* but recovery is on the horizon and it will systems, using software analytics it is tions are only implemented when needed Insight asset performance management be a time for critical decision-making now possible to gain insights on future to assure optimal reliability and reduced solution. Working in collaboration with and planning for the future. performance. Through analyzing these life cycle costs. Maersk Drilling, GE will help deploy

Crucial to this will be ensuring ? eet insights, vessel operators can anticipate The access to real-time insights from SeaStream Insight on one of Maersk readiness, including how and when and address problems before they cause vessels enables onshore experts, no mat- Drilling’s rigs with an aim of increasing stacked assets can be cost-effectively re- an operational disruption. ter where they are in the world, to re- productivity through big data and reduc- activated. Ensuring optimal ? eet perfor- Thanks to advanced algorithms and a motely diagnose problems and advise on ing maintenance costs by up to 20 per- mance to control costs and compliance strong data-processing capability, digi- next steps immediately. This approach cent. This partnership is a prime example with environmental regulations while re- tal analytics tools can map out a “digital not only provides vessel owners with of how digital technologies are shaping ducing the level of reporting, where pos- twin” of a physical asset—be it a propul- fast access to the knowledge of experts the future of the offshore marine indus- sible, will also remain top of the agenda sion motor, an engine or an entire ves- globally, but can also save a signi? cant try. While uncertainty may be the new for most ship owners and operators. sel—based on its normal operational amount of time, as one engineer, for ex- norm in the marine industry, through

In a market that is still volatile, the data pro? le. Drawing a comparison be- ample, is able to analyze and diagnose digital technologies, we can seize the timing of these decisions will be a chal- tween the “digital twin” and the vessel’s multiple ships concurrently from a cen- opportunity to lead the transformation of lenge. The worst-case scenario is that, real-time data, digital software is able to tralized control center, reducing the need the marine industry.

42 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • FEBRUARY 2017

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