controlling crew cost and raising competency

© ABB Inc.April 24, 2023 | Slide 1

Top concerns for the marine sectorControlling crew cost andraising competency

Stuart Melling, manager for marine and crane service, ABB Ltd

© ABB Inc. April 24, 2023 | Slide 2

Top concerns for the marine sectorControlling crew cost and competency

Marine industry’s challenge: To recruit crew with relevant competence and experience at

right price

Crew costs are one of highest operational costs Outsourcing specialist tasks such as electrical plant

healthcare and maintenance can help to: realise lower crew training costs (including periodic re-

certification which may be needed) reduce need for specialisation keep abreast of latest technological developments

supplier brings a range of advanced monitoring, measuring and reporting tools

efficiently keeps plant up and running can significantly cut maintenance cost


Top concerns for the marine sectorControlling crew cost and competency

ABB adds significant value by offering maintenance and engineering support through:

Step 1: use of ABB engineers trained in various marine-standard electrical, automation and

instrumentation disciplines can join vessels globally make quick impact on engineering efficiency of on-board plant

Step 2: using a series of highly advanced engineering tools, like remote diagnostics:

major impact on vessel performance dramatically cut the cost of maintenance

Step 3: competency management – marine academies ABB’s marine academies’ train staff with broad range of

engineering, power and automation courses.


Top concerns for the marine sectorStep 2: Highly advanced engineering tools

Remote diagnostics Remote diagnostic services (RDS):

monitor, measure and alert to faults from vessel thruster systems, motors, drives, switchgear,

circuit breakers to protection relays, instrumentation and automation systems

although very advanced functions RDS is straightforward to implement and user-friendly

RDS comprises: remote connection diagnostic solutions service agreements



Remote connection: links up vessel’s engineers at sea with a qualified ABB service

engineer, located onshore ABB engineer can monitor, analyse and troubleshoot

ABB Computer Center: Central network of high-availability servers at onshore ABB

Computer Center manage all customers’ systems Can be accessed via RDS and their authorised users



Remote connection Virtual service engineer (VSE):

software package installed on ABB computers on customer’s side acts as a software-site-manager sets up secure, encrypted communication with service centre signals its availability and readiness for a remote maintenance

session with VSE-installed PC connected to internet from anywhere, VSE

will automatically contact service centre to make remote connection



Remote connection ABB service engineer:

authorised ABB service engineer can log on to service centre request permission to connect to a vessel’s installed diagnostics

system series of diagnostics can be carried out to help helps operator determine status of equipment in event of a problem, source rapidly identified

Modularity system completely modular allows expansion from monitoring and diagnosis of a few critical

components or subsystems, to a full multi-disciplinary diagnostic system of power plant and electric propulsion system



Diagnostic solutions Purpose built hardware platform

allows collection and correlation of data for condition monitoring and troubleshooting from variable-speed drives, PLCs and switchboard relays

device allows sharing of data collected from individual components or sub-systems

simple and intuitive functions for on-demand monitoring of signals storage of all recorded data in database for later reference



Service agreements Provides fast and efficient remote support of ABB’s full marine

technology portfolio Service agreements configured to suit individual customer

needs Troubleshooting - on demand connection by an ABB service

engineer Prevention - in addition to the above, ABB service engineer

periodically connects to remote system, performs a detailed health-check and advises corrective measures

Continuous - in addition to the above, critical alarms and process statuses are relayed to ABB service centre from where counter-measures can be launched



Service agreements Scheduled and unscheduled cases are handled by ABB

marine RDS Operations Center in Norway manned 24/7/365 RDS team trained to support all ABB marine systems included in

RDS programme all incidents and requests are logged by engineer on duty on-call service initiated by remote support and is performed by

qualified service personnel from closest ABB global marine services centre


Top concerns for the marine sectorStep 3: Competency management – marine academies

Training is priority throughout marine sector Having high level of crew competency ensures efficient and

safe vessel operations ABB compiled comprehensive schedule of courses:

Marine academies in Singapore or Finland Interactive on-board training sessions e-learning

Courses are: tailored towards particular vessel types and DNV approved cover general, safety and advanced system training



Target groups: technical crew, deck crew, other marine professionals

Technical crew: electrical engineers and mechanical engineers

Dedicated courses are provided for deck officers General courses introduce ABB on-board system

contents tailored according to actual customer installation advanced courses deepen customer’s knowledge by focusing

on one sub-system at a time



Safety courses for marine high voltage systems and Azipod confined spaces

provides knowledge and skills for managing risks adapt safe working methods of high voltage environments and

confined spaces contents in accordance with accepted international standards,

rules and regulations

Hands-on learning environments for: existing marine drive types switchgear equipment full-size large Azipod hydraulic steering unit Azipod C systems marine automation diesel electric Azipod vessel operation



On-board training approach is about co-operation and learning together

ABB marine field engineer is instructor Engineer executes, together with a crew, a list of tasks agreed

in advance Training objectives stated together with the actual crew

electronic Maintenance Support Tool (eMST®) Novel concept enabling just-in-time access to highly focused

e-learning material delivers instructions for daily crew maintenance tasks



Produced by specialised ABB organisation that includes: full-time project management personnel experienced ABB marine maintenance specialists complete network of subcontractors from area of graphical and

usability design

eMST® objectives always agreed with customer and depends on:

scope of ABB equipment amount of crew tasks desired competence level of crew

Learning content is exclusively system specific and includes: photos, videos, animations and instructional texts produced for

the actual on board system


Top concerns for the marine sectorSummary

Many variables to consider Marine operators should take great care to implement

strategy that meets business needs and financial constraints

Combination of managing crew competency with outsourced assistance for irregular or specialised operations

While many traditional maintenance techniques are still applicable, new technology is allowing vessel operators to:

reduce training and crew costs whilst improving equipment effectiveness

controlling crew cost and raising competency

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