Surveys

A wide range of surveying from Inchcape

Inchcape surveys cover a wide range of shipowner needs, from above deck to below the waterline, with fuel concerns currently at the top of the list. “Bunker optimisation was already a hot topic, with IMO 2020 sulphur cap regulations creating a new fuel reality,” says David Pratt, Inchcape VP Marine Services, Asia Pacific. “Now the situation has been complicated further by restrictions arising from the coronavirus pandemic.”

New fuel regulations have dictated changes in fuel specifications, he says, and owners need to be certain that they are getting the quality of fuel that they are paying for in order to ensure industry compliance.

“Owners need reliable third party assurance, and our bunker optimisation package provides this. It’s a new fuel landscape out there, but you can still be confident of what you have in the tank,” Pratt assures.

Not just bunker quality, but quantity issues are common. “Deliveries of incorrect quantities are well documented. In some ports, we see averages of more than five-ton variance, and have identified one deviance of more than 100 tons as an extreme example,” says Pratt. To combat the problem, Inchcape offers reliable bunker quantity surveys in key locations around the world.

Inchcape’s offering is designed to provide assistance and support wherever client needs arise, “We have an experienced agency and survey team partnered with surveyors around the world. Using our global network, we can

An Inchcape surveyor at shipyard

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provide a single point of contact for a wide variety of bunkering services, using on-site representatives with maritime expertise who are familiar with local regulations and restrictions,” Pratt assures.

Drawing on combined knowledge of agency and survey operations in their global network, Inchcape also delivers bundled bunker optimisation services, “Bundling services saves costs, simplifies the transaction and ensures quality results for customers from a trusted partner,” Pratt tells.

Inchcape can provide owners peace of mind in areas where bunkering problems are known to have existed, in addition to new locations that are opening up as the COVID-19 crunch forces owners to look for alternate bunkering locations. “Owners need to have confidence that these locations are safe and reliable,” Pratt says. “As an example, in China, Zhoushan is a developing location for bunkering activities, due to its proximity to Ningbo, and clear regulatory guidelines around COVID-19 management.

“Importantly, Zhoushan, Xiazhimen anchorage, is currently the only place in China for bunkering where port costs can be avoided, enabling a viable and very cost-effective option for our customers, in addition to the savings from our bundled product,” Pratt says.

Bunkering in Zhoushan occurs at anchorage, with surveyor attending the vessel by launch to monitor onboard activity. “The port is currently handling approximately 180 bunker calls a month and is starting to attract additional interest from vessels historically bunkering at Hong Kong in response to the benefits of this new location,” Pratt says.

“Using new and more remote locations can influence cost as well,” Pratt says. “The cost of laboratory testing is competitive in key locations, but testing in remote locations can be two/three times more expensive.” Bunker sample testing through a laboratory network addresses both cost and confidence issues through Inchcape’s trusted global network, he informs, and the results can be shared digitally through Email, online, or via a dedicated app. “We are also looking at new technology to make rapid testing available world-wide,” Pratt adds. “Normally it takes 24 hours for test results to come back. When an immediate response is required, rapid testing can provide an option.”

Inchcape recently equipped 10 stations around the world with BlueEye underwater drones, Pratt says, “This is a new technology that we can offer as a cost effective and safer alternative to divers. It gives owners a true picture of vessel condition below the waterline, including detailed views of the propeller and rudder.”

In addition to being more affordable than using divers, deployment is faster, minimising risk of disruption to vessel or cargo operations. Pratt notes that the drone can be set up and running in 15 minutes, and is fully portable, “Countries are implementing new bio-fouling regulations, and ships are being turned away from harbours for not meeting standards. This can have great economic and logistical consequences.” Should undue fouling be detected, he adds that Inchcape has partnered with a global vendor to enabling underwater cleaning or repair at multiple locations around the world.

Inchcape offers a wide range of surveys that cover all the key elements of marine operations. “We have surveys designed to mitigate risk to cargo or the vessel itself, including crane and wire inspections, cargo handling, and load master operations,” says Pratt. “We support commercial aspects as well, helping cargo owners to optimise vessel loads in order to maximise voyage profitability. We can perform load surveys to avoid overloading the vessel, as well as trimming and draft surveys to enhance vessel performance, ensuring that the ultimate commercial value can be gained on every voyage.”

He notes that the task of marine surveyors is to mitigate and control risk. “Through an on/ off-hire survey, a charterer can understand the condition of the vessel, both above and below the waterline, at time of on or off-hire of the vessel. They work to mitigate the risk during the charter period, ensuring that the vessel is suitable and compliant to region and deployed task.”

Inchcape has laid a solid foundation for their survey offering, carrying out internal reviews and benchmarking their services against globally accepted standards and processes. “Surveyors tend to work in independent ways. Our goal was to identify best practice and design the process from the ground up, including reporting and training, in order to ensure that all surveys align with group quality standards. This means the customer does not have to relate to multiple regimes. We do that for them,” Pratt tells. “Large shipowners have their own surveyors who travel around the world, but they cannot do that now with COVID-19. Inchcape has people on site already, and we can manage local risks as well,” Pratt concludes. “Our global network is built on proven expertise. This gives us the ability to adjust to any situation, to fill the gap wherever needed.”

David Knukkel, CEO, GDI & RIMS

RIMS establishes GDI

Holland’s RIMS (Robotics in Maintenance Strategies), an established class-approved supplier of UAV inspections in the maritime industry, has created Global Drone Inspection (GDI), to focus on the drone and ROV element of the business.

GDI will sit alongside RIMS, but with a different service portfolio offering. GDI will provide all the services around inspections of assets by drones and ROVs, including 3D modelling, while RIMS will continue to support clients with the development and integration of new technologies within their maintenance strategies.

David Knukkel, CEO, GDI & RIMS said, “With GDI, we aim to provide a centre of expertise in remote inspection technology which

can be easily found by clients who need a specialist in this domain.

“GDI will build on the experience and success of RIMS which was set up in 2015. In last five years RIMS has brought the drone service to a professional level, and were the first maritime Class Approved service provider, supporting surveyors with the inspection of ship structures, mobile offshore units and confined spaces using Remote Inspection Technology, and it is our intention to replicate this level of success for GDI.”

GDI will be looking to strengthen its portfolio in line with future trends through partnership creation with well recognised partners and service suppliers, offering a total solution for inspections, NDT-measurements (nondestructive testing), presentation of information and repairs.

Underwater surveys by BV

France’s Bureau Veritas (BV) has successfully completed the proof-of-concept project for underwater remote surveys using the Seasam technology eco-system from Notilo Plus on Corsica Linea ‘s 30,985 gt ro/pax Mediterrannee.

Efficient underwater inspection of shipping vessels is important for the industry as a substitute for docking surveys at agreed intervals or to inspect hull damage. BV has been evaluating opportunities to provide effective remote inspection services. Using the Seasam system, an in-water survey of a ship located in Marseille has been supervised from its head office in Paris.

The Seasam drone, sensors, and control system with Notilo Plus software has successfully demonstrated innovative and enhanced capabilities as one of the possible alternatives to the traditional diver in-water survey. Bureau Veritas has observed the following benefits: • Safer operations with no divers in the water • Reduction in risk of disturbance to ship operations • Higher quality pictures generated by the drone due to its stability in the water • Ease of deployment with one operator and limited equipment compared to a team of several divers and their equipment • A collaborative platform providing enriched video sharing • A secure data platform providing intuitive and detailed reporting

The Seasam technology

Laurent Leblanc, Senior Vice President Technical & Operations for BV Marine & Offshore, said, “Underwater remote surveys can improve safety, reduce risk, time and expenses to provide better results. Maintaining the integrity and safety of a ship is a huge task. This new underwater technology brings digital classification to another level providing new opportunities to both our clients and to BV.”

Nicolas Gambini CEO of Notilo Plus added, “Collecting reliable, localised, high quality data and analysing it to provide insightful hull management advice will make ship operations safer and reduce fuel consumption, as well as the industry’s environmental impact. Notilo Plus is proud to lead the way towards the digitalisation of underwater asset management.”

Emmanuel Cesari, Head of Corsica Linea’s superintendents indicated, “This underwater drone solution, designed by Notilo Plus, could simplify the maintenance of our ships and enable us to carry out quick underwater surveys whatever the sea conditions, while consolidating and increasing our efficiency. It could be a useful contribution to the know-how and expertise of our maintenance teams. Corsica Linea’s social commitment is also reflected in our involvement in such projects, which are intended to promote French and local enterprises and their digitalisation solutions serving the maritime economy.”

Deadweight audits made simpler by Tymor Marine

Aberdeen headquartered Tymor Marine, has launched an innovative new digital technology designed to improve the efficiency, cost and operational impact of performing statutory deadweight audits on commercial and naval vessels.

Once installed, Tymor’s new system, called DeadW8.net (DW8), will reduce the cost of future deadweight vessel audits by up to 75%. The greatest benefits will be realised by larger types of vessels, including oil and gas FPSOs, cruise ships or warships that have bigger crews and multiple changes in deadweight that are not always obvious, but the system is applicable to any vessel operator wishing to streamline work, improve efficiency and reduce cost.

Tymor is planning a commercial roll-out of DW8 during 2021 and the company has already received its first order from a leading international offshore drilling contractor. Tymor will also work with their long-standing charitable partner, Mercy Ships, to ensure they are one of the first organisations to benefit on their new build hospital ship, the Global Mercy.

Tymor’s new DW8 technology allows vessel owners and operators to move from a manual, third-party on-board inspection audit, which often interrupts commercial operations, to a secure web-based software system which records and tracks historic information over time.

In addition to reducing the direct costs of the audit, automating the process delivers further efficiency gains. DeadW8 reduces the highly intensive effort normally required from the crew over a short period of time, by embedding the data gathering process into a continuous management system. It also reduces the number of third-party personnel required to collate and verify the information on-board, as well as reducing associated vessel down-time.

The new product draws on a vessel-specific system to capture data and deliver proforma reports to fast-track submission to the authorities. It also builds on a tracked history of prior deadweight information and lightship addition logs to deliver up-to-date details for the vessel’s stability computer and assists in identifying any weight discrepancies. Ultimately, a rich picture is gathered for each vessel, equipping the crew, owners and operators with the knowledge required not only to meet statutory regulations efficiently, but also to improve day to day operational risk and safety.

DeadW8.net can be updated by the crew using a mobile app to scan space related QR codes around the vessel. By scanning a QR code the space is identified, and related information is displayed for verification or update. Objects can be added and removed with visual records, measurements and notes. The system can be tailored for single vesselbased users or allow shore-based users to access multiple vessel databases.

Kevin Moran, managing director at Tymor explained, “DeadW8.net is a unique resource that will last for the life of the vessel, delivering cumulative intelligence, cost and efficiency savings and enhanced safety. Once installed, the system is completely independent, allowing any crew member, auditor or third-party to utilise it.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have accelerated investment in R&D to deliver new technology and improve operational efficiencies in the maritime sector. The introduction of DeadW8.net complements our remote auditing service, which was introduced earlier this year. The commercial roll-out of DW8 is now underway. We are delighted to have received our first order from a major drilling contractor and would encourage anyone interested to get in touch.”

Deadweight vessel surveys are normally required every five years, or after major changes, and are performed by a team of auditors conducting on-board inspections. The surveys determine the weight and distribution of a vessel’s variable load, which includes the crew and their effects, temporary equipment, cargo, fuel and water. This allows the lightweight (net structural and fixed weight of the vessel) to be determined by comparing the deadweight calculation with the draught measurement (water displacement). Any change in the lightweight reflects a change in the structure of the vessel which must be approved by the vessel’s own Flag State maritime authority.

Tynor’s Kevin Moran

SORJ