BMT SeaTech Powers Up With Smart Technology

BMT SeaTech Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, is now offering ship owners an advanced real-time ship performance monitoring and analysis tool, SMART POWER.

This addition to BMT's SMART range, which includes its world-leading hull stress monitoring system SMARTSTRESS, has been produced in conjunction with industry partners, ship operators and ship masters.

SMARTPOWER utilises touch-screen technology and user-friendly features for ease of use on a ship. The system continuously records speed, fuel consumption, shaft rpm and torque together with navigational and environmental parameters, in order to present instantaneous performance and trends over time.

The successful operation of a vessel depends upon a complex number of factors. Some will be totally within the ship owner's control and some, such as the weather, can only be forecast and attempts made to mitigate the impact. Optimising a ship's performance and ensuring safe operation requires both knowledge and an understanding of risks and consequences.

Vessel operators seeking optimum performance need to consider the sum of the engine, propeller and hull efficiencies. The identification of where the inefficiencies lie is very important. Prudent owner will now be able to predict the effects of the environment and to minimize the effects of hull and propeller fouling, changes in speed, draft and trim in order to reduce fuel consumption and minimise charter claims.

SMARTPOWER features include:

• Continuous recording of the instantaneous performance, navigational & environmental parameters;
• Graphical comparison of instantaneous and historical data (ship's speed, shaft power, fuel consumption etc.);
• Graphical trends of ship speed vs. power over time (highlighting the consequence of changes in draught, trim and possible hull fouling or propeller degradation);
• Key Performance Indicators to summarise performance at the management level;
• Voyage benchmarking through targeted performance;
• Automatic transfer of data ashore for analysis;
• Daily ‘Noon' report;
• Automated sea trials function.

The automatic capture and display of data onboard a ship, with transmission to the shore-side management at predefined periods, ensures accurate and timely measurement and minimises workload for all staff. Displays of the results are through coloured Key Performance Indicators, graphical and tabular displays and, when connected through a Local Area Network, these can be viewed at multi-locations on the ship. The user can even view and filter information on fuel consumption, efficiency and emissions through a colour-coded track plot on a nautical chart.

"Our clients are seeking ways to improve fuel consumption and reduce air emissions, to improve ETA accuracy and to economically optimize the periods between hull and propeller cleaning. These are major commercial decisions and SMART POWER is an innovative tool to provide the most appropriate information to facilitate and inform this process," said Gwynne Lewis, Managing Director, BMT SeaTech.