Support of aging assets

Stuart Melling, manager for marine and crane service, ABB Ltd

Top concerns for the marine sector Support of aging vessels ÂŠ ABB Inc. February 1, 2013 | Slide 1

Support of aging vessels Obsolescence management

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Life cycle management plan is critical to support assets as ship’s electrical plant ages

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Not managing assets can be costly in operational downtime

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Electrical and automation plant and systems can not last forever

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Need to raise awareness of obsolescence management

Support of aging vessels Obsolescence management 

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ABB devised series of life cycle services: 

protects operation of critical electrical plant and systems

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extends life of vessel by many years

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properly maintained systems keep ahead of latest software and hardware updates

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stay competitive in marketplace

System may end up different from original purchase – but transition seamless, painless and comparatively low cost

Support of aging vessels Life cycle appraisal

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Carried out by local ABB marine service centre

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Often at no cost

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Life cycle map identifies life cycle status of all electrical plant

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Certain products (transformers) have no life cycle map simply replaced

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Other electrical plant (variable-speed drives, automation and switchgear) mapped throughout their entire life cycle

Support of aging vessels Life cycle appraisal

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Equipment list means mapping of assets can be carried out by ABB without vessel visit

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Assessment of asset life cycle takes half-a-day

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Results in customer knowing: 

exact status of all equipment

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any problems with spares

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forward plan maintenance investments

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improved long term planning of capital and operational expenditure

Support of aging vessels Life cycle management model 

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Four-phases comprising: 

Active

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Classic

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Limited

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Obsolete

Model helps companies: 

recognise phase of their electrical and automation equipment

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determine what level of support is needed on existing installations

Support of aging vessels Life cycle management model 

Covers entire scope of supply of ABB products and systems including: 

ABB’s Extended Automation System 800xA distributed control system

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low and medium voltage drives

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machines and generators

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AVRs

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switchgear

Support of aging vessels Life cycle management model 

“Active” and “Classic” phases have complete life cycle services available: 

product selection and dimensioning

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installation and commissioning

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preventive and corrective maintenance

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remote monitoring and intelligent diagnostics

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technical support

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upgrade and retrofit

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replacement and recycling

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training and learning

Support of aging vessels Life cycle management model

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Products in “Classic” phase not actively promoted by sales team

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Still have comprehensive support

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“Limited” phase equipment is no longer available for purchase 

services offered are limited

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spare parts, maintenance and repair services are available as long as materials can be obtained

Support of aging vessels Life cycle management model 

“Obsolete” phase equipment is not available 

ABB cannot guarantee availability of services for technical reasons or within reasonable cost

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Many customers do not even realise equipment is in obsolete phase

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Extremely costly for applications like drilling vessels

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If failure occurs then maintenance may be reactive

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Risk that when part fails, a replacement part may not be available

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Cost to operator can be huge, particularly if complete replacement of a long lead time item is required

Support of aging vessels Life cycle management model

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Important that companies realise there is a sound alternative

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One that will not only save money but will reduce stress and panic of a key system failing

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By proactively helping customers manage electrical assets, failures and vessel downtime avoided

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Migration to current technology can be phased to suit vessel dockings and customer budgets

Support of aging vessels Bespoke automation and control systems

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Global Vessel Information and Control organisation, aimed at helping merchant and offshore vessels operate more efficiently and safely

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Develop automation solutions specifically for marine applications, based on ABB’s field-proven process automation technologies including: 

marine advisory and fleet management reporting solutions

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integrated automation

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vessel management and control systems

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marine instrumentation and sensors

Support of aging vessels Bespoke automation and control systems 

Benefits include improved: 

vessel operations and performance

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energy efficiency

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on-board equipment reliability and availability

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operational safety

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Demand for upgraded vessel information and control systems has increased

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Ship operators must be ready to meet new environmental regulations

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Lower on-board energy use and fuel consumption

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ABB’s automation and control technologies provide visibility and control needed to achieve these goals and improve operating costs

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