Enhancing Vessel Performance

Kongsberg Maritime released three new monitoring and efficiency applications for its K-Chief automation system. The 'Fuel Saver' applications have been developed as part of Kongsberg Maritime's commitment to the Green Ship concept, and through the provision of detailed data and advice based on multiple factors including current engine use, can be used to enhance vessel performance and reduce emissions.

The K-Chief marine automation system is a distributed monitoring and control system that provides high-end functionality for power management, auxiliary machinery control, ballast/bunker monitoring and control, and cargo monitoring and control.

The new Fuel Saver applications can expand a K-Chief system on three levels. The first application is 'Fuel Saver Monitoring' for improved information and understanding of total fuel consumption. It monitors functions such as torque, fuel index, ship speed and hull efficiency and provides information in a format that enables corrective actions. The second application is 'Fuel Saver Advisory', which in addition to the Fuel Saver Monitoring functionality provides trim and draft optimisation. The third application is the 'Fuel Saver Optimal Advisory', providing optimal speed, optimal heading and optimal RPM in addition to hull fouling, propeller fouling, voyage planning, bunker cost calculation and reports.

The new Fuel Saver applications are part of Kongsberg Maritime's Green Ship portfolio, which also consists the MetaPower® torque & power monitoring system, which facilitates cost-effective operation by providing vital data to enable a vessel to maintain or increase speed while saving significant amounts of fuel, and reducing CO2 and NOx emissions.