Kongsberg Maritime, Bureau Veritas (BV) and offshore service provider BOURBON have announced the successful testing of a new solution for DP (Dynamic Positioning) system performance and redundancy audits – a first in the maritime industry, Kongsberg said in a press release.
Developed by Kongsberg Maritime in collaboration with BOURBON and Bureau Veritas’ DP experts, the ‘DP Digital Survey’ application runs on an industrial data management system that ensures unprecedented data consistency for the verification of installed systems. It acquires information directly from the DP system and delivers it to auditors via a secure cloud infrastructure, allowing compulsory surveys to be conducted remotely.
Kongsberg Maritime’s new DP Digital Survey application offers a distinct advantage for vessel owners utilising the remote survey tool to collect a comprehensive quantity of test execution and completion evidence. The KM DP Digital Survey application is well beyond the capabilities of the photo and video recordings which have been introduced to the maritime industry in recent years.
Kongsberg Maritime’s plans for the ongoing evolution of the DP Digital Survey app include the following:
- Gradually automating the survey by capturing and digitalising the best practices of DP auditors
- Redesigning the survey process and tests to best fit the new tools, based on the industrial data
- Establishing a continuous ‘DP Digital Survey’ framework, where the performance and the technical availability of the DP system are remotely monitored in detail.
“This collaboration allows us to strengthen our core products by offering our customers tools that will reduce their OPEX and streamline their operations,” says Eivind Alling, Vice-President of Digital Performance at Kongsberg Maritime. “KONGSBERG strives for innovation, and we are creating new applications that will give our end customers more control of their data to support their operations.”
“The key for us is to receive reliable performance and failure data – not just photos and pictures,” adds Laurent Leblanc, Vice-President and Marine Operations Director, Bureau Veritas. “We have to first check the data is of sufficient quality: data quality management is a key factor, along with cyber-security for data transfer. Our expertise is then used to review and assess the data. This provides access to a higher level and depth of ‘onshore’ engineering expertise to make judgements on results.”
Frederic Moulin, BOURBON Operations Director, is also in no doubt about the value and potential of Kongsberg Maritime’s DP Digital Survey app. “This project greatly contributes to the aim of our smart shipping program, which is to capitalise on the digital revolution so as to stand out through a connected fleet while simultaneously reducing our operational costs. With our partners, we are ready to extend this ‘DP Digital Survey’ to sister ships in the coming months, and plan for further deployment later.”
As a highly sophisticated new resource in Kongsberg Maritime’s ‘Full Picture’ portfolio of products, solutions and services for all vessels, the DP Digital Survey app reflects the dedicated investment in digital capability which is being exercised by Kongsberg Maritime and its partner firms, delivering practical solutions and measurable benefits to clients while enhancing operational efficiency and safety.