Shipowners around the globe are realising that rapid advances in the application of information and computer technology are creating new opportunities for greater safety, efficiency and profitability. In the race for a competitive advantage, the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) is among the world’s most progressive in the implementation of advanced IT systems. The tanker major recently opted for DNV’s class notation, Nauticus.
The general manager of NITCs Sharjah branch, M.T. Kouhestani, says that the new assignments demonstrate NITCs commitment to making use of modern IT solutions to improve the companys overall efficiency and competitiveness. The demand for systems such as DNVs Nauticus is increasing, he says. We see that the readier availability of information about a ships condition helps to reduce maintenance costs and provides us with a better basis for decision making, enabling us to make the right decisions at the right time. This view is shared by NITCs planning and technical manager, Anwar N. Lodhi, who believes that Nauticus will support NITC in safeguarding its shipsmore cost-efficiently, not to mention keeping its vessels in better, safer condition.
Accessible database
Extending and adapting the Nauticus ship-design and construction program introduced in 1995, the new system, dubbed Nauticus on board, enables ship information to be efficiently shared between the owner and DNV, assisted by the unique Nauticus 3D graphic model. Users of this system can go on board via a PC and point to the components on which they want information. DNVs project manager, Dag Andresen, explains Once the model has been completed, we integrate it into the database. We also ensure that the customer has access to it through DNV Exchange, a program that contains all essential class information about his ships, such as class status, certificates, reports, recommendations, check lists and survey planning documents plus a host of other features. An example of the direct value of Nauticus on board is that it may reduce the time a ship spends in dock. Planning for a ships scheduled dry-docking is often a lengthy and complex process, involving extensive information-gathering and detailed specification of the work to be done.
The Nauticus Operation notation gives NITC access to the Nauticus Product Model, where class-related information accumulated over the ships lifetime is stored and readily accessible through DNV Exchange and the 3D graphic model. The graphic model itself may be used to generate vital planning information, such as the weight of planned steel replacements and the area of surfaces to be coated. In addition, results of Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements (UTM) may readily be imported into the model to provide an easy 3D overview of a complex set of data. Through the product model, NITC may also access main structural drawings and information such as test reports, certificates of major components, damage reports and regular survey reports all of which may contain essential information for the accurate planning of repairs or replacements.
Extending support
The Nauticus class products also contain a number of other voluntary class notations which provide users with new services and elements of decision-making support to improve overall operational efficiency. One example is Nauticus Propulsion which represents an alternative arrangement for machinery surveys based on condition monitoring. NITC has agreed to test Nauticus Propulsion later this year. Operators subscribing to this class notation can also monitor the propulsion-machinery performance trends and will be in a good position to adjust maintenance intervals on this basis. They may also benefit from a reduced level of unexpected maintenance interventions, since regular condition monitoring will reveal unfavourable trends and enable preventive action to be taken at a time that fits in with the ships operating schedule. The notation also makes it possible to generate vital statistical comparisons, thus giving a better overview of how one particular ship is performing compared to the rest of the fleet, or compared to other relevant standards and averages. Comments Lodhi, Weve been practising condition monitoring for a long time. What we found in the past was that the more we opened up the machinery parts, the more problems we suffered. Over the years, weve introduced new methods and upgraded our software so were now doing more and more condition monitoring. Our overall intervals are better, but were keen to further improve our total efficiency, especially since weve got newbuildings coming along. Besides, a focus on performance tends to be beneficial in itself, paving the way for improved operational performance in several areas.
A young fleet
By the end of NITCs newbuilding programme in 2003, Kouhestani says the average age of the fleet will be less than four years. NITC has recently placed an order for five 300,000 dwt oil tankers with Dalian, the first Chinese yard to build VLCCs. The companys present fleet consists of 15 VLCCs, five Suezmaxes and five Aframaxes, some still under construction. Quality speaks for itself, he continues. Even with a young fleet, quality of operations is vital. We want Class to look deep into our ships and our operations and to supervise quality and safety matters. Through Nauticus on board, DNV will accommodate our need to cut down on a vessels time spent out of service, and provide accurate estimates of the improvement cost and scheduling of long-term maintenance.