Last month DNV GL said it would start using the Smartship data system from Singapore-based start-up Alpha Ori Technologies on its classed vessels. Brian Dixon went to find out what the system is capable of
Its the kind of agreement many of the maritime industry’s startups dream of – a class society saying it wants to use your software on its huge fleet of classed vessels. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Singapore-based startup Alpha Ori Technologies (AOT) and international classification society DNV GL will see AOT’s Smartship solution being installed on the class society’s client vessels with a view to exploring the potential development of data exchange for digital class services; possibilities for continuous assurance; and remote operations and monitoring.
Running on AOT’s Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform, the cloud-hosted SMARTShip solution uses a modular hardware system able to collect and transfer data from more than 5,000 data points located around a vessel. Providing real-time analytics, such as those pertaining to a monitored ship’s engines, navigational systems and/or cargo, this data can be further enhanced as required through the use of such additional information as that concerning weather conditions and legal requirements.
Featuring a user-friendly dashboard capable of offering camera views and screen replications, the scalable system can be readily customised through the use of specialised applications, such as those for optimising fuel consumption and the enabling of predictive maintenance and geofencing. As such, the system can be used to not only ascertain the condition and health of a vessel, but also whether it is in compliance with regulations such as IMO 2020 for instance.
“Alpha Ori’s Smartship is a comprehensive IoT platform suitable for all ships, unlike some of the other IoT solutions on the market which only work with specific make and type,” says Dr Shahrin Osman, DNV GL’s regional head of maritime advisory for South-East Asia, Pacific and India. “Smartship will provide the backbone of high frequency data from ships, with high quality data integrity needed for some of the covenants of the MoU.”
Osman adds that Alpha Ori’s current solutions are targeted at solving the current pain points that exist in ship operations. However, from a long-term perspective, both Alpha Ori and DNV GL are keen to evaluate products and solutions for the broader interests of the shipping community. This includes identifying, for example, those needed for the remote monitoring and operation of ships as well as the use of IoT for the optimisation of the maritime transport and supply chain.
Mutually beneficial for both parties, the MoU is also expected to prove a boon to the wider industry as a whole. “For the global maritime sector, this collaboration means that they get ready-to-use and robust products and services backed by DNV GL’s assurance,” Osman says.
Furthermore, the availability of any ensuing applications will not only be quicker as a result of the tie-up, but they will also be fit for purpose as end-user requirements would be covered more comprehensively and effectively due to the iterative process in their development phase, combining technology, processes and data exchange.
Heavy lift design
DNV GL also signed an agreement recently with China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) to jointly develop a smart ship prototype incorporating advanced cyber security features to satisfy the demands of both the market and potential owners. Additionally, the agreement will also see the two companies working together on a new design for a 3,500-tonne heavy lift crane vessel.
While exact details remain scant, a DNV GL representative reports that the company will perform the Approval in Principle (AiP) and issue an AiP certificate should the design be reviewed and found in compliance with DNV GL Rules and Class Guidelines. Meanwhile, DNV GL will further update its Rules and Class guidelines based on the project’s outcomes.
