If you can measure then you can optimize

Hull & Propeller Fouling Analysis

typical problem facing most Shipping Companies nowadays is the estimation of the Hull and Propeller fouling (HP Fouling). HP Fouling is the increase of the vessel’s hull and propeller resistance due to hull roughness, shape changes, and most commonly due to the settlement and growth of marine plants and microorganisms. It can lead to diminished vessel performance as well as additional costs and time losses due to hull cleaning. 

Although HP fouling cannot be directly measured by any sensor and it is feasible to have indications about it through the calculation of the slip. These indications are not reliable evidence of HP fouling levels and cannot lead to valuable conclusions regarding antifouling actions selection and the right time to take those actions Also, these indications cannot be used during a dispute between the management company and the charterer. 

METIS implements all the algorithms and data processes that are needed to estimate the HP Fouling based on ISO19030Nevertheless, the scope of METIS is not just to provide that estimation but to provide the correlation between the HP Fouling, the speed of the vessel and the Fuel Oil Consumptionsupporting the decisionmaking process of the top management. To succeed in that, METIS combines the ISO1930 algorithms and Machine learning technics. 

METIS-Hull-Fouling
METIS - Estimated Fuel Oil Consumption based on ML Model

Estimated Fuel Oil Consumption based on ML Model 

METIS runs all the analysis for hull fouling in real-time estimating all the resistances and the power losses. The results of the analysis are presented either in dashboards or as messages in chatbot and reports. 

To calculate the effect of hull and propulsion power on the fuel oil consumption, METIS is using an ML model that is continuously retrained using the parameters of shaft power, fuel oil calorific values, ambient temperature and seawater temperature. The model can predict the consumption with accuracy higher than 97%. 

METIS runs all the analysis for hull fouling in real-time estimating all the resistances and the power losses. The results of the analysis are presented either in dashboards or as messages in chatbot and reports. 

Using the Machine Learning Model for fuel oil consumption, the power loss due to the increasing of the Hull and propeller resistance can be converted into fuel oil losses. 

METIS - Propulsion Power and Propulsion Power without the Hull and Propeller Fouling

Propulsion Power and Propulsion Power without the Hull and Propeller Fouling 

METIS - Fuel oil Consumption against the Estimated Consumption without the Hull and Propeller Fouling

Fuel oil Consumption against the Estimated Consumption without the Hull and Propeller Fouling

The parameters that are required for the calculations of the HP Fouling and its effects on speed and consumption are listed in the table below: 

Parameter 

Sources 

Speed Over Ground 

GPS 

Speed Through Water 

Speed Log 

Shaft Mechanical Power 

  • Torque Meter 
  • Estimated based on T/C RPM, SCAV AIR PRES, M/E FUEL LOAD 

Shaft Rotational Speed 

  • Torque Meter 
  • M/E RPM Indicator 
  • Alarm Monitoring System 

Heading 

Gyro Compass 

True Course Over Ground 

GPS 

Rudder Angle 

Rudder Indicator 

Draft Mean 

Draft Gauges 

Trim 

Draft Gauges 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Parameter

Sources 

Wind True Speed 

  • Anemometer 
  • Weather Provider 

Wind True Angle 

  • Anemometer 
  • Weather Provider 

Wave Height 

Weather Provider 

Wave Direction 

Weather Provider 

Swell Height 

Weather Provider 

Swell Direction 

Weather Provider 

Water Depth 

Echo Sounder 

M/E Fuel Oil Consumption 

Flow Meter 

 

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