Final Report Summary - INMARE (Technologies and Methodologies for Safe, Environmental-friendly and Efficient Shipping Operations of the future)
The INMARE project focused on technologies and methodologies for safe, environmentally friendly and efficient shipping operations of the future. The main objective of the INMARE Coordination Action (CA) was to use the maritime operators' real needs as input for feasible and effective future studies and / or research projects by identifying the most promising scientific and technical developments for preparing the European shipping to face the challenges and competitiveness of the future.
In particular, the project aimed at coordinating activities within five identified topics:
1. enhanced efficiency onboard and ashore;
2. human resources;
3. communications and decision support system;
4. regulatory matters;
5. environmental sustainable ship operations.
The basic idea of INMARE was to integrate expertise and experiences with a substantial contribution and steering by European ship owners' representatives. It can be recognised as an important tool to maintain the European shipping industry on the front edge of competitiveness.
INMARE proposed a bottom-up approach to the maritime problem, by collecting directly from ship operators their problems and improvement suggestions, and translating such indications in research needs through the contribution of specialised technological partners, universities and research centres. The areas and needs on which the INMARE worked were the outcome of a wide and deep investigation over the European ship-operators.
The project was divided into work packages (WPs) with one partner appointed as work package leader for each WP:
- WP 1: Specification of end-user needs
- WP 2: Establishment of working groups
- WP 3: Working group activities;
- WP 4: Arrangement and execution of assessment workshops;
- WP 5: Harmonise and summarise results of all working groups
- WP 6: Dissemination actions
- WP 7: Project management and administration.
INMARE pursued progress and issued findings and recommendations in the following areas:
Objective 1 - Enhanced efficiencies on board and ashore
Specific research and development (R&D) actions recommended by the INMARE consist of a combination of information gathering and provision:
- In general it is recommended to use upcoming satellite and surveillance technology for improved fleet planning and raised flexibility in logistic chains. As state of the art it is suggested to explore feasibility of higher future potentialities of the Galileo system in combination with AIS. High potentials are also seen in an extended vessel traffic monitoring and information system (VTMIS) to have a positive impact on logistic chains and on efficiency of port operations.
- Additional sampling, preparation and presentation of ship specific information to assist operators and to increase safety and reliability of sea transport are regarded worthwhile. Development of specific monitoring systems to assist in ship handling as well as to supervise and document cargo integrity are recommended.
- For new builds a reconsideration of ship designs in terms of safety (stability, sea keeping, freak wave survival) and of extended operational windows for small and medium-sized ships are recommended. Impact of water on deck and service in cold climate conditions (Arctic) are regarded to become a topic for small and medium-sized ships
Looking at the wide list of incoming or planned rules that the INMARE consortium examined, under its own specific viewpoint the following items are considered of major interest:
- standardised, automated and computer assisted procedures in port operations - to reduce time associated with loading / unloading, lashing;
- cargo safety planning and monitoring systems.
Objective 2 - Human resources
Specific R&D actions suggested consist of:
- reducing administrative burden from master and crew: develop instruments enabling a shit of tasks to the shore;
- long distance training and education for continuous upgrading of crew members qualifications;
- rise availability of European seafarers;
- low cost solution which overcomes today's restrictions of satellite time and bandwidth; for easy access to and sharing of information;
- new tools and integrated systems for handling paperwork and organisational tasks along logistic chain, computer assisted maintenance and decision support systems for navigating in adverse weather conditions and emergency situations.
Regarding upcoming and reviewed regulations it is recommended that studies and evaluations are promoted to support currently on-going rules:
- reallocation of duties and workload redistribution onboard and between crew onboard and staff ashore;
- 'computer-based' and 'long distance' training systems to be fully recognised by the certification bodies;
- definition of possible scenarios for standardised regular training for different ship types.
Objective 3 - Communication and decision support system (DSS)
As specific R&D studies / actions are suggested:
- investigate the need and possibilities for data format standards;
- explore feasibility of higher future potentialities of AIS and VTMIS;
- higher diffusion of e-learning tools;
- increase level of shore side involvement at maintenance and repair with specific tools to remote controls, commands and settings;
- remote piloting;
- fully integrated DSSs;
- systems interchange (integrated bridge) and standards (functionality / operating);
- concept of integrated bridge system: integrated console (ergonomics and standard operating based solutions), intuitive man / machine interface (MMI).
It is very evident that all of the aspects (efficiency, safety, security, etc.) of the shipping industry and of the maritime transport are increasingly linked to the application and the diffusion of advanced high-performance and low-cost information and communication technologies (ICT). The spread and the changeable long-range displacement of the 'productive units' (the ships) constitute the reasons for which the maritime transport sector is penalised, and, compared to other shore based industrial sectors, does not fully benefit neither take advantage in real time of the ICT developments and of the wide quantity of the services offered on it. The internet is a typical case. Furthermore, in addition to the data/information exchanges for the advanced remote ship's navigation and management (maintenance, control, monitoring, etc.), new procedures, architectures and services could be developed or optimised.
Not only the routine but also the emergency and crisis management will have beneficial effects from the evolution and diffusion of ICT. Also the selection of data, their priorities and ranking in emergency situations will depend on the on-board availability of monitoring and communication technologies (on-scene monitoring, remote-medicine, equipment control, etc.).
All priorities of this topic are also recommended for consideration when it comes to amendment or revision of IMO regulations.
Objective 4 - Regulatory matters
As R&D actions or studies the consortium suggests to develop extended functions of vessel data recorders (VDR) to record: e.g. radar image, near misses, bridge conversation and orders as a basis for European (and international) system for registration and analysis of near-misses and accidents.
Upcoming IMO regulations and procedures under review were commented on by the consortium in order to provide support to the European maritime authorities and legislators. Concerning regulatory matters themselves, it was highlighted the need to investigate in what ways regulation can be better evaluated, and it was suggested that a 'standard methodology for cost-benefit analysis before new regulatory measures are decided on and implemented' is considered and introduced soon.
Objective 5 - Environmental sustainable ship operations
The consortium regards worthwhile for research and development activity and funding:
- fuel cell powered systems adapted for onboard applications;
- alternative propulsion systems;
- study on feasible and available technology for (grey / black) water treatment, including analysis of the standards and definition of requirements;
- develop cost efficient and suitable for retrofit ballast water treatment system;
- fleet performance indexing on the one side on fleet utilisation, efficiency and on the other on environmental friendliness for the service, under specific criteria.
When it comes to the time for amendment or revision of regulations related to environmental impact, the consortium recommends, for different reasons item by item, to focus on:
- fleet performance indexing (fleet utilisation / efficiency / cargo load factor);
- grey / black water treatment;
- technologies for ballast water treatment.
INMARE had put its attention on new approaches to improve reliability and safety of European maritime activities, and on intelligent systems to support on-board decisions, in particular under emergency situation. Emphasis and suggestions were also put by INMARE on the adoption and diffusion of telematic and communication tools to better integrate ship and shore resources. Through a tool like a dedicated CA, involving transnational cooperation of directly or indirectly qualified parties, it was reached the optimal level of knowledge, to set the priorities for technology and methodology developments required to realise the aims of industry. The results of INMARE may also give foothold for the expansion of technology-based industry, specialising in ship instrumentation, telecommunications, design and construction of marine systems, tools related to quality assurance etc. in the marine and other sectors. Such improved systems and tools enhance the quality of the ship operation and may in turn be adopted by the industry to design and construct safer and more cost-effective ships and marine structures in the future.
In particular, the project aimed at coordinating activities within five identified topics:
1. enhanced efficiency onboard and ashore;
2. human resources;
3. communications and decision support system;
4. regulatory matters;
5. environmental sustainable ship operations.
The basic idea of INMARE was to integrate expertise and experiences with a substantial contribution and steering by European ship owners' representatives. It can be recognised as an important tool to maintain the European shipping industry on the front edge of competitiveness.
INMARE proposed a bottom-up approach to the maritime problem, by collecting directly from ship operators their problems and improvement suggestions, and translating such indications in research needs through the contribution of specialised technological partners, universities and research centres. The areas and needs on which the INMARE worked were the outcome of a wide and deep investigation over the European ship-operators.
The project was divided into work packages (WPs) with one partner appointed as work package leader for each WP:
- WP 1: Specification of end-user needs
- WP 2: Establishment of working groups
- WP 3: Working group activities;
- WP 4: Arrangement and execution of assessment workshops;
- WP 5: Harmonise and summarise results of all working groups
- WP 6: Dissemination actions
- WP 7: Project management and administration.
INMARE pursued progress and issued findings and recommendations in the following areas:
Objective 1 - Enhanced efficiencies on board and ashore
Specific research and development (R&D) actions recommended by the INMARE consist of a combination of information gathering and provision:
- In general it is recommended to use upcoming satellite and surveillance technology for improved fleet planning and raised flexibility in logistic chains. As state of the art it is suggested to explore feasibility of higher future potentialities of the Galileo system in combination with AIS. High potentials are also seen in an extended vessel traffic monitoring and information system (VTMIS) to have a positive impact on logistic chains and on efficiency of port operations.
- Additional sampling, preparation and presentation of ship specific information to assist operators and to increase safety and reliability of sea transport are regarded worthwhile. Development of specific monitoring systems to assist in ship handling as well as to supervise and document cargo integrity are recommended.
- For new builds a reconsideration of ship designs in terms of safety (stability, sea keeping, freak wave survival) and of extended operational windows for small and medium-sized ships are recommended. Impact of water on deck and service in cold climate conditions (Arctic) are regarded to become a topic for small and medium-sized ships
Looking at the wide list of incoming or planned rules that the INMARE consortium examined, under its own specific viewpoint the following items are considered of major interest:
- standardised, automated and computer assisted procedures in port operations - to reduce time associated with loading / unloading, lashing;
- cargo safety planning and monitoring systems.
Objective 2 - Human resources
Specific R&D actions suggested consist of:
- reducing administrative burden from master and crew: develop instruments enabling a shit of tasks to the shore;
- long distance training and education for continuous upgrading of crew members qualifications;
- rise availability of European seafarers;
- low cost solution which overcomes today's restrictions of satellite time and bandwidth; for easy access to and sharing of information;
- new tools and integrated systems for handling paperwork and organisational tasks along logistic chain, computer assisted maintenance and decision support systems for navigating in adverse weather conditions and emergency situations.
Regarding upcoming and reviewed regulations it is recommended that studies and evaluations are promoted to support currently on-going rules:
- reallocation of duties and workload redistribution onboard and between crew onboard and staff ashore;
- 'computer-based' and 'long distance' training systems to be fully recognised by the certification bodies;
- definition of possible scenarios for standardised regular training for different ship types.
Objective 3 - Communication and decision support system (DSS)
As specific R&D studies / actions are suggested:
- investigate the need and possibilities for data format standards;
- explore feasibility of higher future potentialities of AIS and VTMIS;
- higher diffusion of e-learning tools;
- increase level of shore side involvement at maintenance and repair with specific tools to remote controls, commands and settings;
- remote piloting;
- fully integrated DSSs;
- systems interchange (integrated bridge) and standards (functionality / operating);
- concept of integrated bridge system: integrated console (ergonomics and standard operating based solutions), intuitive man / machine interface (MMI).
It is very evident that all of the aspects (efficiency, safety, security, etc.) of the shipping industry and of the maritime transport are increasingly linked to the application and the diffusion of advanced high-performance and low-cost information and communication technologies (ICT). The spread and the changeable long-range displacement of the 'productive units' (the ships) constitute the reasons for which the maritime transport sector is penalised, and, compared to other shore based industrial sectors, does not fully benefit neither take advantage in real time of the ICT developments and of the wide quantity of the services offered on it. The internet is a typical case. Furthermore, in addition to the data/information exchanges for the advanced remote ship's navigation and management (maintenance, control, monitoring, etc.), new procedures, architectures and services could be developed or optimised.
Not only the routine but also the emergency and crisis management will have beneficial effects from the evolution and diffusion of ICT. Also the selection of data, their priorities and ranking in emergency situations will depend on the on-board availability of monitoring and communication technologies (on-scene monitoring, remote-medicine, equipment control, etc.).
All priorities of this topic are also recommended for consideration when it comes to amendment or revision of IMO regulations.
Objective 4 - Regulatory matters
As R&D actions or studies the consortium suggests to develop extended functions of vessel data recorders (VDR) to record: e.g. radar image, near misses, bridge conversation and orders as a basis for European (and international) system for registration and analysis of near-misses and accidents.
Upcoming IMO regulations and procedures under review were commented on by the consortium in order to provide support to the European maritime authorities and legislators. Concerning regulatory matters themselves, it was highlighted the need to investigate in what ways regulation can be better evaluated, and it was suggested that a 'standard methodology for cost-benefit analysis before new regulatory measures are decided on and implemented' is considered and introduced soon.
Objective 5 - Environmental sustainable ship operations
The consortium regards worthwhile for research and development activity and funding:
- fuel cell powered systems adapted for onboard applications;
- alternative propulsion systems;
- study on feasible and available technology for (grey / black) water treatment, including analysis of the standards and definition of requirements;
- develop cost efficient and suitable for retrofit ballast water treatment system;
- fleet performance indexing on the one side on fleet utilisation, efficiency and on the other on environmental friendliness for the service, under specific criteria.
When it comes to the time for amendment or revision of regulations related to environmental impact, the consortium recommends, for different reasons item by item, to focus on:
- fleet performance indexing (fleet utilisation / efficiency / cargo load factor);
- grey / black water treatment;
- technologies for ballast water treatment.
INMARE had put its attention on new approaches to improve reliability and safety of European maritime activities, and on intelligent systems to support on-board decisions, in particular under emergency situation. Emphasis and suggestions were also put by INMARE on the adoption and diffusion of telematic and communication tools to better integrate ship and shore resources. Through a tool like a dedicated CA, involving transnational cooperation of directly or indirectly qualified parties, it was reached the optimal level of knowledge, to set the priorities for technology and methodology developments required to realise the aims of industry. The results of INMARE may also give foothold for the expansion of technology-based industry, specialising in ship instrumentation, telecommunications, design and construction of marine systems, tools related to quality assurance etc. in the marine and other sectors. Such improved systems and tools enhance the quality of the ship operation and may in turn be adopted by the industry to design and construct safer and more cost-effective ships and marine structures in the future.