Damen and MO4 team up for vessel digitalisation
By:
Tom Russell
24/03/2021
Damen
Damen Shipyards Group
has teamed up with MO4 for the digitalisation of offshore wind farm operations.
This alliance pairs Damen’s Triton monitoring platform with
MO4 motion forecasting knowledge, which aims to offering data analytic
based services.
Offshore wind farm operators frequently require crew transfer vessel operators
to demonstrate and secure their ability to provide safe transfers. Reports
are required which include data on such things as impact-force measurement
on vessel landing, push force recovery during transfer and vertical slip
measurements. Relevant wave and weather information are added to give an
impression of the performance of both vessel and crew in daily operation.
Furthermore forecasting services for vessels’ motions are increasingly
relevant to realise safe and efficient crew transfers.
MO4 and Damen will integrate motion forecasting service with the Triton
platform resulting in a single, secured, vessel connection supporting motion
based applications. The idea was to harvest the operational data via Damen
Triton – Damen’s connected vessel platform – in order to feed MO4’s
analysis.
“MO4 is a provider of high quality solutions on motion prediction in
wind and offshore applications,” explains Toine Cleophas, manager
programs at Damen and responsible for the development of Triton. “The
collaboration between our companies forms a part of Damen’s Smart Ship
programme and will increase customer value by supporting a more digitalised
Damen portfolio.”
Damen Triton is a remote monitoring and operational insight tool, a connected,
collaborative IoT platform that collects data from multiple sensors located
around the vessel. This data offers vessel operators the opportunity, for
example, to monitor and optimise performance of their vessel from a remote
location. The Triton system ensures data transfer as a result of smart
digital integration on board, combined with cyber security features.
Mark Paalvast, Co-Founder of MO4 adds, “We have high expectations from
our collaboration with Damen as we see that they too are frontrunners in
digitalisation. As a team we will be able to combine Damen’s long-standing
experience with MO4’s innovative technologies. Within this, the Triton
system will serve as a reliable basis for gathering and distribution of
all data, allowing our analytics software to provide top tier output. This
will lead to increased insight and better performance. We often say ‘without
data, it’s just another opinion’.”
All offshore operations are in some way limited by weather and waves. At
certain thresholds the vessels experience too much dynamics to either safely
operate or to have people on deck. Damen stated that knowing such limitations
a number of days in advance is highly advantageous. MO4 motion prediction
services allows for much better planning and use of the asset.
For the motion forecasting service MO4 has set-up a vessel specific digital
twin, taking into consideration all these parameters automatically. These
digital twins consider parameters such as the dynamic positioning (DP)
system, maximum thrust, vessel motions in waves, wind and swell sea, and
much more.
Roderick Buijs, Damen
regional service manager said, “It is great to see that we can build
our market propositions based on the connectivity of vessels enabled by
Triton through partnering with experts in the field for niche-analyses
that generate direct value to our customer. This alliance leads to better
solutions for our clients at more competitive rates, whilst both contributing
to Damen’s digitalisation ambition and encouraging the production
of sustainable energy.”
