A consortium of technology suppliers is developing software that monitors ship equipment, fuel, and energy performance to provide real-time information that helps operators better manage their fleets.

The technology, known as Ship Energy Assessment—Condition Optimization and Routing Enhancement System (SEA-CORES) analyzes data from systems onboard a ship to provide a live model of its performance. BAE Systems is developing the software with the University of Southampton, James Fisher and Sons plc, Fugro, and OSISoft UK Ltd.

SEA-CORES analyzes data to provide a live model of ship performance. Image source: Pixabay.SEA-CORES has been developed in response to the increasing complexities of modern warships and the amount of data their systems produce. The technology analyzes the vibration and trim performance of the vessel, its hull and superstructure state, together with environmental conditions such as weather and associated ship performance characteristics, such as energy consumption.

The software works in collaboration with existing BAE Systems technologies Ship Energy Assessment System (SEAS) and System Information Exploitation (SIE) to connect fuel and engine optimization to model the relationships among the diverse ship systems. Using genetic algorithms, it then recommends strategies to optimize the vessel’s performance.

The technology is being tested on a commercial tanker provided by James Fisher and Sons in Northern Europe through the end of 2016 to monitor the operational performance of the vessel at sea and inform the shipowner of potential efficiencies.

In addition to providing real-time data about the impact of such decisions to help the operator reduce fuel consumption and minimize engine wear, BAE says the information ultimately could also influence future ship designs.