MaK, Caterpillar to Partner DNV GL for Condition Based Monitoring

MaK together with Caterpillar’s Marine Asset Intelligence organization has announced that they have partnered with DNV GL to help make the change from time based maintenance to condition based maintenance by leveraging the predictive analytics of Cat Asset Intelligence in accordance with DNV GL’s Survey Arrangement Machinery Condition Monitoring (CM) requirements.

The Survey Arrangement of DNV GL recognizes, across multiple dimensions, the value that an industry leading condition based monitoring system such as Cat Asset Intelligence provides to ship owners.  First, by using data analytics to provide transparency and validate equipment condition, unnecessary maintenance expense can be avoided by right-sizing maintenance to condition and not to the calendar.  In addition to maintenance costs, comprehensive reliability studies have shown that human intervention is a key factor in over 80% of failures.

By using data analytics to validate equipment condition, unnecessary human intervention and open-inspect activities can be avoided or deferred.  Not only can ship owners use Cat Asset Intelligence analytics to validate the equipment condition, but predictive analytics can also be used to identify potential issues before failure, independent of the planned maintenance schedule, helping ship owners to avoid the operational and repair costs of unexpected failures.  Both of these uses of Cat Asset Intelligence help reduce planned and unplanned maintenance as well as the associated downtime. Leveraging the analytics of Cat Asset Intelligence helps ship owners and operators to make better decisions using data and actionable information.

This project will begin with a customer that has a vessel powered by the new, cutting edge MaK M 46 DF dual fuel engine, which was delivered and supported by Zeppelin Power Systems (the Cat and MaK dealer).  Cat Asset Intelligence, combined with the Survey Arrangement Machinery CM, will enable operation of this technology in the smartest, most reliable way possible.  “This is going to be a major step forward for many ship owners and their operations in the future.  This effort enables operations and maintenance leaders to make better decisions using data and analytics, helping to drive reduced cost, downtime and risk.  This is further enhanced by DNV GL, who brings a vast level of experience in safeguarding life, property and the environment,” said Ken Krooner, Technology & Operations Manager for Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence.

“We are excited to bring together the leading MaK dual fuel engine technology together with the analytics of Cat Asset Intelligence to continue to drive increased value to our customers.  This effort will enable our customers to further increase the availability and decrease the low total operating cost of the MaK medium speed engines by optimizing maintenance practices and avoiding failures” said Karl Vollrath, Product Support Manager for MaK. “At DNV GL we are always looking to work with our customers to find ways to use new technologies and operational strategies to help the industry become safer, smarter and greener,” said Oliver Darley, Head of Ship Systems, Materials and Components at DNV GL – Maritime. “This project combines the expertise and experience of the equipment maker, analytics provider, vessel owner and operator, and DNV GL as a classification society to take a real step forward in improving vessel performance and efficiency.”