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180 ships using FleetMaster Technical Log and Electronic Logbooks

Remote monitoring of ships, sending status reports about how well the ship is operating, seems to have finally happened.

Kongsberg reports that it have delivered FleetMaster Technical Log for more than 140 vessels, which integrates process systems onboard and distributes and records data. The process systems onboard sends an automatic daily status report from the shipboard automation system back to shore. The shipboard automation system has sensors around the vessel monitoring the engine, pumps, steering and other equipment.

Typically, the system takes a "snapshot" of readings from 2,000 sensors around the ship and sends this data back to shore once a day in a 40 to 50kb e-mail. Shore size technicians can also send a request for snapshot report at any time by Inmarsat -C.

The system has already saved company money; a shipowner in Germany saved about $25,000 in offhire costs when a shore-side technician solved a that a certain problem was related to the lube oil.

The FleetMaster Technical log is also able to provide online data to other system such as diagnostics systems, loading computers and planned maintenance systems. Typical recipients are MTU Dicare, Man B&W Cocos EDS, Kockumation, Star Information System, Xantic, Onboard Napa and more, so that online data is provided to these.


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Electronic Logbooks 

Kongsberg is unable to reveal all customer names at this point, although it can say that 40 vessels, including those operated by Klaveness, Maersk, Bergesen, Sartor Shipping, Geoshipping, IUM, Scandic Line and Geoshipping have ordered and installed the electronic logbook on the bridge, which replaces the traditional ship paper logbooks (deck, oil record, port, dynamic positioning).

The electronic logbook has approvals from flag administrations of Norway, Sweden, UK, Denmark, Bahamas, Isle of Man, Singapore, with approvals under consideration at Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Liberia, Panama and Spain. The approval indicates that the flag administration accepts that the electronic logbook satisfies all of the legal requirements of the paper logbook.

Currently Bergesen have been using the electronic logbook for more than 16 months onboard Berge Clipper, going in world wide trade without any problems. Flag states such as Japan, United States and Korea have been informed of the system and have been positive to this leap forward. So far, throwing away the paper logbook has been a success. 

However there are additional benefits to using the electronic logbook; the electronic logbook may be used as a complete vessel reporting system which sends do all operational reporting back to shore, making routines easier and keeping an unforgeable copy of it.