2 June 2008

BMT SeaTech Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has launched a new version of its advanced fleet performance and structural safety management software program, SMART^SHORE.

This office-based tool sits centrally within BMT’s Ship-board Monitoring, Analysis and Recording Technologies (SMART) suite of software products. Users can view, analyse and compare data from ships fitted with BMT SeaTech’s SMART^STRESS and SMART^POWER systems. The simple design allows in-depth analysis to be performed on single or multi-ship data simultaneously, whilst also providing accurate report information for specific voyages or periods.

Superintendents or Fleet Managers can view information previously only available on-board. They are able to report or investigate a vessel’s motions, structural response or performance, providing the necessary feedback to the Master. Vessel data can be automatically sent ashore at regular intervals, via an email attachment, enabling easy analysis of individual or multiple vessels within a fleet.

The versatility of the software is a major feature, such as allowing users to customise reports to their own individual requirements. Data can be exported in common file formats for use in spreadsheets or other applications. A network license allows multiple users to access SMART^SHORE over a standard office network. The software can permit data analysis over a LAN, to allow the shore-based staff complete visibility of fleet performance.

Features include:
• Vessel position, course, speed, date and time shown at frequent intervals along the route (position plot);
• The ability to interrogate motions, structural response and vessel performance over any period or voyage;
• Multiple vessel comparison enabling sister ship’s performance to be compared, or alternatively different vessels on the same trade.
• The statistical values (mean, peak, trough and standard deviation) of any input signal (data) can be filtered, plotted and compared.

Commercial analysis of a selected ship voyage can display for each day:
• Wind Speed Range (knots);
• Mean Log Speed (knots);
• Main Engine Fuel Consumption;
• Fuel Cost.

The system enables the user to highlight where performance does not meet charter party requirements, including calculating the cost difference between charter party fuel consumption and actual fuel consumption.

Gwynne Lewis, Managing Director at BMT SeaTech, comments: “SMART^SHORE provides managers and superintendents with a single user-friendly tool, which automatically receives a ship’s data and enables the easy production of routine reports. These quickly illustrate the performance of the ship, including fuel efficiency and air emissions, along with data relating to the overall motions and structural response of their vessels. SMART^SHORE provides a vital communications link between ship and shore and aids the continuous improvement and learning process that goes hand-in-hand with optimising ships’ performance and safety.”

“When used alongside the other SMART products, the benefits are wide ranging and significant. Performance improvement in terms of both fuel consumption and emissions, together with overall voyage optimisation, are the end goals that SMART^SHORE can now deliver better than ever before.”