ABS today announced it is engaged in a two-year project with the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) to deliver the industry’s first bow-to-stern Condition-based Class asset management program.
The objective of the two-year joint project is a landmark advancement in the classification industry—enabling the move from purely calendar-based surveys to an entirely condition-based classification model—using digital solutions to increase MSC’s operational availability and flexibility.
Throughout the project ABS is collecting data from newly installed hull sensors, as well as from sensors on all classed machinery, onboard three MSC vessels. To establish precise baseline conditions, ABS is performing an in-depth survey assessment on structures and machinery, and building Digital Twins for each vessel. Combined with ABS’ advanced analytics, the Digital Twins detect abnormal behavior, providing an early warning and the opportunity to mitigate problems before they occur. With this vessel-wide intelligence, ABS and MSC will have a holistic view of the entire vessel’s structural health and real-time performance of onboard equipment.
ABS is working in an unprecedented degree of integration with both MSC and vendors to share data and enrich the digital picture of each vessel:
USNS SPEARHEAD, an expeditionary fast transport craft
USNS AMELIA EARHART, a dry cargo/ammunition vessel
USNS POMEROY, a large RO/RO vessel
The ABS digital team is leveraging a robust cloud-based data platform, data analytics and models to unlock deep vessel performance insights and more accurately predict system vulnerabilities and risks. As each of MSC’s digital twins continues to produce information, ABS analytics will continue to refine its understanding of the vessel, delivering enhanced predictive maintenance capabilities.
About ABS
ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.