- DSS project aims to use AI to help officers on vessels make decisions that will result in optimized performance and energy efficiency.
- Uses AI to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in complex offshore operations and streamline fleet maintenance.
- The project is funded by Norwegian national development bank Innovation Norway and is targeted for completion by the end of 2020.
- Dispatchers analyze a range of scenarios before assigning work to vessels, and the system makes updated recommendations in real-time that the dispatchers can confirm or reject.
An innovative Norwegian project uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help seafarers optimize vessel performance and energy efficiency, reports Riviera Maritime Media.
Decision Support System project
The Decision Support System (DSS) project aims to use AI to help officers on vessels make decisions that will result in optimized performance and energy efficiency. The overall project goal is to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in complex offshore operations and streamline fleet maintenance.
Norwegian offshore support vessel (OSV) operator DOF joined technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime, research organization SINTEF Ocean and the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), a government agency, in the project.
Explaining his company’s decision to get involved with the project, DOF senior project manager Lars Christian Larsen says “Our aim is to be the most environmentally friendly ship managers within the offshore segment.”
Offshore Support Vessel
OSVs such as platform supply vessels, anchor handling tug supply vessels and offshore subsea construction vessels operate in many different modes depending on the operation being performed, explains Mr. Larsen, with some having as many as seven different operational modes.
“We know that our operators onboard consider a lot of variables [when optimizing operations] but we also recognize there is a difference between shifts, personnel, and vessels in how they choose to operate,” he adds, noting that this has been backed up over the years through fuel measurement statistics and feedback from seafarers.
“With this project, we are aiming to develop a DSS capable of intelligently advising the captain and chief engineer about the best theoretical way to run the vessel in the most energy-efficient manner,” says Mr. Larsen. He adds that as it will be installed on screens both on the bridge and in the engine control room and act as an objective advisory system it will be helpful in discussions between the bridge and engineering officers.
Revolutionize vessel operations
SINTEF Ocean’s maritime energy systems research manager Anders Valland says “Information is power, and when that information relates directly to power consumption, it can revolutionize vessel operations, from onboard electrical load management to route optimization for passage by sea.”
Kongsberg Maritime’s director of energy projects integration Eirik Mathiesen explains how the DSS will gather data to inform its guidance. “Encompassing IoT, new smart sensors onboard will stream accurate data to the cloud-based DSS, where deep analysis with intuitive presentation and application will drive equitable and predictable operational performance.”
Historical big data
Mr. Larsen adds that the DSS will also factor in “historical big data” and weather information into its recommendations, which will include what can be done to achieve optimal efficiency and forward-looking advice for the next four to eight hours, including percentage figures for operational and fuel efficiency improvements.
DOF will make two different types of vessel available for developing, testing and trialing the DSS, said Mr Larsen, adding that anchor handling tug supply vessel Skandi Vega and offshore subsea construction support vessel Skandi Acergy are likely to be selected as project testbeds, although this may change depending on contract situations in the northern hemisphere autumn period.
‘Smart’ operations are key to DOF’s strategy, explains Mr. Larsen. “Smart is not just deploying the right technologies. Developing our culture to focus even more on sustainable operations with minimal environmental impact will be as important as the technology we create.”
Catalyst towards future solutions
DOF hopes the DSS project will act as a catalyst for the company’s transition toward adopting existing and future solutions based around digitalization where synergies exist, such as condition monitoring, says Mr. Larsen. However, adopting any technology is contingent upon considering all risk and safety factors, he adds.
“For the DSS there are elements of AI incorporated in the advanced algorithms based on historical data, which will improve over time,” he says, but emphasizes this is based around providing advice rather than automating processes. “We trust our operators to make independent final decisions, taking local at-site elements into account.”
Financial support from Norwegian bank
The project has received financial support from Norwegian national development bank Innovation Norway, and is targeted for completion by the end of 2020, with Kongsberg aiming to have a commercial project based around the DSS ready for market within the first half of 2021, says Mr. Larsen.
AI for harbor docking management
AI is being applied to a harbor docking management tool to cut costs and make operations more efficient.
PortX’s OptiPort tool is being integrated into Helm Operations’ Helm CONNECT, a harbor docking management system. Based on historical studies and pilot projects, the technology could result in savings of US$1M per port and US$200K per tug.
“Our initial pilots focused primarily on optimizing fuel consumption by prioritizing the use of the most efficient tug for each job, as well as identifying the optimal departure time and most efficient speed for mobilization and demobilization between jobs,” explains Helm Operations chief executive Ron de Bruyn.
He added, “We found that about 50% of the savings come from fuel cost reduction from optimizing speed, and about 50% comes from using more efficient tugs for specific jobs. As we implement the revenue optimization part of the project, we see additional savings of 25-50% are possible as companies use Optiport to increase the use of their own tugs and reduce work chartered out to other operators.”
OptiPort uses AI data
OptiPort uses data from AIS, weather and other sources to recommend schedules based on job requirements, wind speed, and wave heights, as well as criteria defined by customers. These recommendations will include departure and arrival times, as well as the most fuel-efficient speeds to move to and from vessels as they dock.
Dispatchers can test a range of scenarios before assigning work to vessels, and the system can also make updated recommendations in real-time that the dispatchers can confirm or reject.
“This makes it possible for operators to greatly reduce fuel costs, while also ensuring vessels arrive and depart their berths on time,” adds Mr deBruyne.
Used in four ports
The system was launched in Rotterdam and is currently being used at four ports around the world, covering more than 40 vessels, and is being rolled out to a further two ports and additional 15 vessels.
Helm Operations will roll out the full OptiPort feature set in its September release as a paid upgrade to its existing services.
PortX managing director Vincent van Os says OptiPort can be implemented through Helm Connect “without adding hardware on the vessels or in the dispatch control room”. It can assist owners to make better use of their fleets.
“This leads to real cost savings that can improve operators’ bottom lines almost immediately upon implementation,” says Mr van Os.
PortX’s OptiPort software
Kotug International uses PortX’s OptiPort software to optimize in-port vessel operations for towing. This Netherlands-headquartered tug owner has achieved a significant reduction in mobilization miles and subsequent fuel reductions using the software.
“It all comes down to the smarter dispatching of tugs,” explains Kotug International chief executive Ard-Jan Kooren. Kotug has applied OptiPort big data analytics to integrate available data sources, such as port management and agency information, with actual vessel positions. “This integration allows us to provide the most optimal schedule for any given situation in the port,” he says.
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Source: Riviera Maritime Media
