GE Showcases Innovative and Efficient Solutions for International Workboat Show

EPA III/Tier 4 Marine Diesel Engine
New global emissions standards reduce emissions by more than 70 percent. Engine technology had to advance to meet the new standard. Many turned to aftertreatment; adding chemicals and operating cost. GE kept it simple and built it right into the engine. 

GE’s Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system needs no aftertreatment, no messy chemicals, no change to operating processes and no ongoing urea cost. Plus, it’s maintained best-in-class fuel economy and produces approximately up to 15 percent more power while maintaining virtually the same footprint.  Another case when less is definitely more.

“The marine industry has a clear responsibility to tackle climate change. At GE, we continuously come up with new solutions that will not only power the marine industry forward, but also help marine operators stick to the environmental commitment,” said Tim Schweikert, president & CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions.

Learn more about the trade-offs and decision factors in meeting emissions challenges by joining GE’s Mukul Girotra and Ram Ottikkutti on December 1 at 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Starboard Room for “Innovative Ways to Solve Emissions Problems Without Compromising Fuel Consumption,” part of the International Workboat’s Technical Track conference session.

Digital Suite
“An inevitable changing force taking the stride is the adoption of digital analytics tools to achieve improved operational efficiency through big data,” said Schweikert, “With tighter emission controls, increasing cost pressure, stagnant economy and a global labor shortage, achieving more efficient maritime operations without sacrificing performance is a challenge that the industry rises to. Digital solutions provide the remedy to this global challenge.”

Powered by Predix*, SeaStream Insight is GE’s latest innovation in software analytics. It can predict potential failure of a part before it strikes. This predictivity will allow marine operators to make more informed decisions and provide the opportunity to help increase a vessel’s operational efficiency, driven by data. It will also enable a shift from plan-based to condition-based maintenance.

Most recently, GE and Maersk Drilling have announced a partnership on a data analytic-driven pilot project, which will last for 12 months. The deployment of SeaStream Insight on Maersk Drilling’s XLE rigs is aimed to increase drilling vessels’ productivity and significantly reduce maintenance costs by up to 20 percent. Currently, the project has reached its first milestone, with data collected from the rig currently being processed and analyzed online.

Also on the show floor is GE’s SeaStream* Dynamic Positioning (DP) system. The system uses predictive software to anticipate position variation and uses advanced algorithms to optimize vessel heading to further reduce power consumption. It includes an Ecomagination* energy-efficient mode, which is anticipated to deliver up to 10 percent or potentially more in fuel savings while also reducing NOx by up to 20 percent, depending on environmental factors and the exact operational profile.

Service Capability
Connected digital technology is also enhancing today’s marine service capability. With visibility of over 1,000 vessels, GE Marine Mapper is able to considerably improve the services provided to the installed base, including better response times, optimized provision of parts and maintenance; resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings for customers.

To deepen GE’s commitment towards more effective service for marine customers, earlier this year, GE expanded its existing state-of-the-art DP school by moving it to a larger facility in the Westway Plaza, Houston. Establishing Houston at the heart of GE’s Marine Solutions in North America with stronger engineering presence, the new DP school will be much better positioned to provide immediate service support, hands-on learning opportunities and improved customer experience.