Marine automation

To reduce that burden, and improve safety, automated systems have been developed by Kongsberg Maritime that more accurately relay cargo and control system data back through one integrated bridge, designed to serve the full range of vessels deployed in the oil and gas maritime sector.

Specific, but not limited to drilling operations, floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, liquid gas carriers and offshore support and construction vessels – the systems on offer now offer an advanced platform to manage almost every aspect of offshore operations.

Unique System is pioneering the training and simulation of the Kongsberg Maritime integrated systems from its headquarters in Sharjah, UAE.

The system

The K-Chief 700 marine automation package is a distributed monitoring and control system ideally suited to petrochemical product carriers. Its flexible, architecture allows it to be used for a wide range of tasks within offshore industry including vessel control systems.

The integrated bridge is primarily a stand-alone system that covers important functions onboard a vessel, including power management, auxiliary machinery control, ballast management and cargo monitoring and control.

The system is built from modular hardware components and modular application software. Any number of these modules can be combined to provide an optimal solution for a given vessel’s requirements.

The marine automation system is based on distributed processing where the various processes are controlled by input/output (IO) modules located close to the processing units.

The remote IO modules can fit in existing cabinets, such as in switchboards or valve control cabinets, to achieve complete pre-commissioning before installation.

The system may be integrated seamlessly with Kongsberg Maritime’s dynamic positioning and propulsion control systems as well as custody transfer systems.

Integrated approach

Integrated solutions offer significant advantages over stand alone systems. Integrating all functions for monitoring and the control of a vessel provides a benefit both technically and economically.

Functions are integrated to reduce the need for hardware and software functions and to reduce interface requirements. The benefits of integration are fully realised when all components are based on the same technology, both in hardware and software.

Operational consistency and free information flow throughout are easily achieved through a common technology base.

The use of common technology has allowed us to develop modular products.

The same range of hardware modules are used in the K-Pos dynamic positioning and K-Chief marine automation system, and an identical basic software platform is used to integrate with K-Thrust automation systems.

By integrating the full monitoring and controls through one system we believe owners will enjoy more consistent operation, improved safety and reliability, as well as reduced spare part and training requirements.

The built-in self-diagnostic facilities monitor the entire control system and include extensive monitoring of field circuits as well as earth-fault detection.

Fail-to-safe philosophy is implemented by pre-determination of system responses with respect to internal or external faults. For extra piece of mind, both the hardware and software systems have been type approved by major classification societies.

The scope for business in the region is huge, and already Kongsberg are providing fully automated cargo controls for NITC, by which single touch cargo operation is possible for loading and unloading the entire cargo, controlling vessel stability, pumping requirements and multi cargo storage.

Regional training

Here at Unique System in Sharjah we have the primary and most advanced bridge simulator training facility centre for the whole of the Africa, India and the Middle East region also.

The remit of scenarios we can virtually play out on the screens is completely unlimited, and forms a crucial part of our training package designed to aid students in mastering dynamic positioning controls, and integrated bridge operations.

These systems are commonly found on offshore rigs, support vessels and petrochemical tankers.

CCTV cameras are discreetly positioned in the advanced simulation room to ensure every move and action can be monitored by instructors and examiners – no doubt a precaution the owner of a US $100 million vessel will take comfort from.

Developments are currently underway to expand the training offered to include simulated LNG controls from the existing training centre. Currently this type of training is only available in Norway and will further enhance capabilities in the region.

Vessel owners and operators in the region agree that having a training centre of this calibre in proximity to their operations results in staff being trained locally in a cost effective manner with fewer days away due to less travelling being required.

This increases the cost benefits to operators and owners alike

In the past ship owners have viewed training merely as a cost, but there has recently been a significant attitude change.

The best equipment in the world is only as good as the operator in control of it, so to utilise all of the functions and its capabilities takes technical instruction and skill.

The global drought in sufficiently qualified ship’s masters and chief officers has seen market forces drive the wages of those with appropriate skill sets upwards of US $30 000 per month in the LNG field. Crewing is one of the highest costs an owner has to control, and there has been no escaping this for regional owners.

More and more Middle Eastern owners are funding training and there has been a significant increase in the number of customised training sessions we’re undertaking here in Sharjah.

We have trained graduates from throughout the Middle East, and regional firms who have taken advantage of the training centre include Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, Qatar Gas and Qatar Navigation, Gulf Energy Maritime, Vela and Saudi Aramco.