SILICONE COATINGS
OSG is improving vessel performance and reducing air emissions by applying silicone anti-fouling coating to its VLCC fleet. This environmentally friendly coating improves overall vessel performance by reducing fuel and lube oil consumption. Conventional anti-fouling systems contain biocides capable of harming living organisms in the environment. By applying silicone coatings free from copper oxide or other biocides, we not only reduce air emissions, but also reduce exposure of biocides in the oceans.
HULL PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS
In conjunction with Newcastle University, OSG is developing a Hull Performance System that may ultimately reduce the overall environmental footprint of its vessels, including reductions in stack emissions, fuel consumption and paint consumption.
The system under development is exploring ways to log parameters that influence a vessel's performance such as sea, wind, draft, trim, current, water depth, rudder angle, propeller condition, engine performance, fuel consumption/quality, sea water density and temperature. Once collected, this data can be used to analyze vessel hull performance, such as the effect of certain environmental conditions on energy usage. When further developed, an intelligent computer system could generate instructions, for example, on how to maximize vessel performance based on prevailing weather and sea conditions.
PIT STOP MAINTENANCE
Part of OSG’s maintenance quality standards include working with engine manufacturers to participate in the major overhaul of diesel generator engines. This has the added benefit of ensuring that ship crews are trained on all aspects of engine overhaul and operation.
ELECTRONIC REPORTING
OSG is working towards implementing a number of systems in order to collect data and monitor certain environmental control operations electronically:
Engine Log Books - Recording of machinery operational data will be collected and reported electronically, allowing shoreside reviews to be conducted with minimal delay.
Enviro-Tags - OSG’s innovative in-house Enviro-Tag system is being evaluated for an electronic upgrade to more efficiently enable the monitoring of all Tags.
Enviro-Logger - OSG’s innovative Enviro-Logger records specific waste management equipment and transfers this data ashore automatically so that shoreside managers can monitor operations remotely.
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECTS OSG has undertaken several projects introduced by the Classification Societies to ensure that both Tanker Management Self Assessment and OSG vessel operating standards are not only maintained, but continuously evolve and improve.
Hull Integrity Program - A system of tools, processes and procedures that ensures crews are trained to conduct proactive inspections of the ballast and cargo tanks in addition to preparing for standard regulatory and commercial inspections. The program includes standards to enable the hull structural condition to be accurately determined, monitored and reported. Guidelines are regularly updated and training programs conducted so that vessel inspections can be property carried out and changes in condition accurately measured.
Maintenance Strategy Optimization (MSO) - MSO ensures that Company procedures are efficient, reliable, productive and evolving. All technical shoreside and sea staff participate to ensure that the reasons behind operating procedures are fully understood and applied based on knowledge and understanding, not just to meet regulations. MSO is a structured approach to maintenance management that assesses and benchmarks the efficiency and effectiveness of tasks related to maintenance.
