This month BIMCO and Fathom Maritime Intelligence will be launching a new industry concept. Entitled “Prime Performance”, this concept is multi-faceted and has the potential to change the way the industry approaches operations.
You can join BIMCO and Fathom in Copenhagen on November 26 to find out what this concept is all about at the free-to-attend PRIME Performance Conference. Click here for more information.
1. What Is Prime Performance?
According to the masterminds behind Prime Performance, the concept is about getting the most out of your assets and operations. It is a concept that represents operating consistently at the highest level possible under challenging conditions.
Unlike ‘efficiency’, Prime Performance is not necessarily about doing more for less but rather ensuring that what you are doing reaps the maximum benefits and results that it can. It does not represent a ship that is performing but rather an entire business ecosystem performing effectively over time.
Prime Performance is also about how all areas of a shipping operation are symbiotically linked to the others. For example, technology is only one part of the equation, without people driving the operation of technology and systems, this often runs below its prime capability.
To take an example that we can all relate to: a smart phone. Many of us own one, we pay for the data capabilities and the technology the phone contains but how many of us actually use it to its full potential? The answer is very little of us. Sure we have some apps, use maps when we need, make our calls and messages, use the calendar for some stuff but rest assured you are likely one of the vast majority that only uses a fraction of what you are paying to have at your fingertips and what could make your life so much more streamlined and easier.
This goes for almost any technology. It is only through education and training both of ourselves and those others that interact with it that we can ensure we are getting the most out of what we have and make the right decision on what else we might need to make us even more effective.
2. Why Was This Concept Created?
The industry remains alight with discussion around the downturn of the shipping business, with many industry dwellers far and wide forecasting when the industry will enjoy the good times again. However, according to experts and also upon examining how the industry’s fortunes are playing out in the grasp of the global economy, the downturn shows no signs of abating.
Instead of seeing this as a downturn, this should be considered as the new reality for shipping. Therefore, the industry must closely examine how to optimise its operations to ensure that every aspect of a shipping company’s operations is functioning as smoothly and optimally as possible to best advantage and to its best (prime) capability.
There are many factors influencing the industry now and moving into the future: regulatory requirements, the digital and smart era and fuel price fluctuations, just to name a few. All factors impact all aspects of shipping operations, from engines to crew welfare.
Prime Performance was created to highlight how ship owners and operators can boost capabilities, performance and capacity. It is through this that a business can become more effective and gain a competitive advantage.
3. Why Now?
The launch of this concept into the industry at this point is reflective of the fact that although the industry has fought to successfully adapt to the seismic changes in the industry over the past decade, in order to evolve to current and future market conditions it now needs to take stock to make sure that ship owners and operators are maximising the potential that is available.
For Fathom and BIMCO, it was important that the industry addresses areas of operations and how they symbiotically fit together and influence each other. This is especially important when bringing the shipping community into a room to discuss Prime Performance.
Each operational area has complex interactions with other operational areas, therefore cannot and should not be considered in isolation. For example, a specific aspect such as technology cannot be considered insolation from how the technology is used by the crew and how it impacts the ship or the impact that it has on the environment or efficiency of the ship.
Therefore the Prime Performance concept takes a 360o view. Each core pillar (or conference session in terms of the industry events) will consider a particular area of operation and common challenges and then within this area of operation, examine how this challenge is being addressed, an overview of considerations under this area and then specific technology solutions that can support in achieving prime performance in this area.
The conference will take a four-session format in which an intimate number of industry stakeholders will present and provoke discussion around the four pillars of Prime Performance.
PERFORM Power
The PERFORM Power session will examine issues around the powerhouse of a ship – the engine room. From the newest engines & retrofits to options for fuels and lubricants, this session will look at how to best power maritime transport.
Hear from Erik Carlsen, VP Head of Fleet Management at Clipper Group about how they ensure the optimum performance of vessels across their fleet. What factors need to be considered in order to ensure vessel equipment runs at maximum efficiency with minimal downtime and low cost?
Lars Bryndum, Director Customer Support Promotion & Sales, MAN Diesel & Turbo will discuss engine management – what are the key considerations to make when ensuring maximum uptime in engine operation and minimising the risk of breakdown. What are the latest developments in engine technology?
Iain White, Global Field Marketing Manager, ExxonMobil will consider current challenges in lubricant requirements and strategies for determining the appropriate lubricant for your operation that can extend the life of vessel equipment and reduce maintenance downtime.
Jon-Åge Eidem, Sales & Marketing Director, Ulmatec, a specialist provider of marine technology and services, will discuss their innovative Pyro Waste Energy Management system and its ability to generate and optimise energy for multiple applications from waste heat.
The PERFORM Data session will examine how the prime application of data collection, transmission and analysis can be applied to achieve practical returns and improved operations.
The session will open with Jesper Dietz, Lead Vessel Performance Analyst, Maersk Linediscussing how energy management is a key component of performance optimisation. Discover how a ship owner collects and analyses vessel data to optimise performance across the fleet.
Data analysis for vessel performance is now compulsory for all shipping organisations seeking a competitive edge, but an understanding of how it can be collected and applied is lacking amongst many ship owners. Dr. Soren Hansen, Assistant Director, Vessel Performance, ABS gives the benefit of their experience on how this can be best achieved.
Dr. Jorge Antunes, CEO of Tecnoveritas will look at how you best utilise vessel performance within an operation so that it actually brings benefits to you and is not just data for data’s sake.
Data analysis can also be used to monitor hull degradation. Stein Kjølberg, Global Sales Director for Hull Performance Solutions at Jotun will discuss how data can be used to ensure hull coatings provide increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
In order to receive the data, the system and method that transmits it is a vital part of the equation and one that is of equal importance to ensure prime capability as any of the applications. Morten Lind-Olsen, CEO of Dualog will give independent insight into this.
PERFORM Green
The PERFORM Green session examines how the regulation of environmental impact and corporate social responsibility (CSR) continue to keep the environmental performance of an organisation as a prime driver for operational change and improvement. This session will look at some of the latest developments across the spectrum of maritime operations.
Understand a leading ship operator’s approach towards environmental management and also the strategies and technologies utilised to achieve regulatory compliance. Michael Servos, Energy Manager, Tsakos Columbia Shipmanagement will discuss practical insight into the strategies and methods they use to ensure compliance.
Environmental compliance will become ever more prevalent in the future, therefore an understanding of inbound regulation is vital to the success of any operation. Jeppe Skovbakke Juhl, Senior Marine Technical Officer, BIMCO will discuss the regulatory landscape of shipping with an outlook on the future.
Increasing regulatory standards for emissions and their enforcement mean that compliance requirents are stricter around environmental impact than ever before. Robert Clarke, Director of Business Development, Ionada will examine the considerations ship owners need to make when choosing a scrubber system.
Alternative fuels to heavy fuel oil (HFO) are becoming more prevalent in light of increasing emissions standards and there is a wide selection of fuelling options to choose from. Alisdair Pettigrew, Managing Director of Blue Communications will discuss a commercially viable and safe method of fuel emulsification that can achieve environmental compliance at minimal cost.
PERFORM People
The PERFORM People session will examine the symbiosis between people and technology and how technology can empower your people to achieve prime results and vice versa.
Crew are an essential component of every shipping operation. Simon Frank, Head of Marine HR at TORM will provide an analysis of the methods they use to optimise crew performance.
In an increasingly automated industry, seafarers are often lacking the knowledge and ability to perform to the best of their ability. Tommy Olofsen, Managing Director of OSM Crew Management will explore why the crew remain an important part of vessel performance.
The final session of the day will feature a roundtable that will discuss what competencies will be required for a seafarer in an increasingly automated industry. Panellists will include Dr. Jan de Kat, Director Energy Efficiency & Vessel Performance with ABS; Simon Frank, Head of Marine HR at TORM; Tommy Olofsen, Managing Director of OSM Crew Management and Michael Servos, Energy Manager with Tsakos Columbia Shipmanagement.
