New research with Lloyd’s Register and NYK Line points to the challenges and opportunities of analytical condition-based maintenance.

Joint research from Lloyd’s Register , Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha  and MTI  has identified that the adoption of data-driven Condition-Based Maintenance can have a significant impact on vessel efficiency and reliability.

The white paper shows how DCBM processes that utilise the latest analytical models can deliver considerable benefits to the maritime industry, whilst outlining the potential pathways to its successful implementation and the obstacles that must be navigated.

The report also points to four challenges that shipowners must address to maximise the benefits of condition-based maintenance. These are a lack of precision in maintenance and inspection checklists, deviations from scheduled maintenance and inspections, vague or undefined criteria when identifying hazardous operating conditions and ensuring an effective strategic response when faced with system failures.

By overcoming these challenges, owners and operators can benefit from increased equipment availability, reduced downtime and lower total maintenance costs. This could collectively contribute to a higher return on investment from their assets and significantly lower operational expenditure (OPEX) whilst reducing crew workload and improving safety standards.

The report encourages industry stakeholders, including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), to explore the possibilities of DCBM technologies for a range of improvements beyond just enhancing safety. The research indicates that by embracing a data-driven future and prioritising analytic-driven maintenance, owners and operators can secure a competitive advantage, reduce overheads, and deliver excellence in maritime operations.

Luis Benito, Strategic Business Partner – Japan, Lloyd’s Register said: “There is currently a major shift in the maritime industry’s operational processes that will challenge our ability to adapt to new global demands. The twin drivers of decarbonisation and digitalisation are creating welcome disruption to legacy processes and forcing shipping to embrace new ways of working. By adopting new technologies and practices such as data-driven condition-based maintenance, shipowners can prioritise safety and protect their return on investment whilst lowering their OPEX.”

Shogo Yamada, Deputy General Manager of Marine Group, NYK Line said: “In-depth analysis has been conducted on the opportunities and challenges of implementing Data-Driven Condition-Based Maintenance (DCBM) in the maritime industry, with specific recommendations for improvement and benefits outlined. Adoption of DCBM can enhance vessel maintenance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and improve safety. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on the necessity for comprehensive analysis in three critical areas: technological innovation, methodology, and operational workflows. Additionally, the importance of data sharing and collaboration among different stakeholders is highlighted, underscoring a comprehensive vision for the advancement of digitalization and data-driven approaches in the maritime industry. This serves as a crucial message that paves the way for future actions.”

Hideyuki Ando, Director, MTI Co., Ltd. (MTI) said:  “As a company at the forefront of innovation in the maritime industry, we are thrilled to be part of this collaborative effort to explore the opportunities and challenges of Data-Driven Condition-Based Maintenance (DCBM). The comprehensive analysis provided in the publication underscores the transformative potential of DCBM in enhancing maintenance efficiency, reducing operational costs, and improving safety standards across the industry. We believe that by fostering data sharing and collaboration among stakeholders, we can collectively propel the digitalization and data-driven evolution of maritime operations, for a more sustainable, efficient, and interconnected maritime ecosystem.”