CSSC to build first-ever ‘smart ship’

China State Shipbuilding Corporation plans to build a 38,800-dwt bulk carrier in 2016 that will be “based on big data” and feature up-to-date information technology including real-time data transmission and collection, digital modeling and remote control.    China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) unveiled plans to build the world’s first “smart ship” at the Smart Ship Development Forum & Smart Ship Demo earlier this week in Shanghai, China.
   A state-supported enterprise, CSSC said the 38,800-dwt bulk carrier will be “based on big data” and feature up-to-date information technology including real-time data transmission and collection, large-capacity calculations, digital modeling and remote control.
   The idea is that by constantly monitoring key performance measures and adjusting accordingly, the smart ship will be able to maintain optimal levels of efficiency.
   Wei Muheng, an engineer working at the Intelligent Maintenance Laboratory for Platform System Research Institute under CSSC Systems Engineering Research Institute, said the smart ship project will “set up a whole-ship information perception system and realize information integration and data sharing between all the systems and equipment on the ship.”
   Key smart functions to be included in the ship’s design include overall performance and status monitoring; ship status safety assessment; ship energy efficiency monitoring, analysis, assessment and optimization; engine room equipment and system operation, status and monitoring; engine room equipment operation, safety and performance analysis; engine room equipment maintenance including prediction and reliability, status assessment and maintenance optimization; sea route; ship navigation; navigational operation and control information analysis; environmental impact analysis; and navigational optimization.
   The project is the first civilian program of CSSC Innovation Plan, and will be led by Shanghai Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), along with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, CSSC Power Research Institute and Hudong Heavy Machinery.
   Construction of the vessel is scheduled to begin in September 2016, with delivery to be completed in 2017.