Innovate UK has started sea trials for its project to optimise the performance of marine vessels.
Two pilot vessels provided by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners will provide data for the Monitoring for Operational Vessel Efficiency (MOVE) project, which could benefit offshore wind service vessels.
The project aims to develop novel solutions to rising fuel costs, emissions regulations and carbon emission concerns, the UK’s innovation agency said.
These are “severe” challenges for marine vessel operators and their supply chains, it said.
MOVE technology should allow operators to optimise vessel performance through an improved selection of propulsion and generation systems, as well the enhancement of mission planning and improved maintenance.
It is developing and validating an easily-fitted system to measure and record the instantaneous power and torque outputs from vessel engines, as well as other data.
The project has seven partners including Datum Electronics and Gardline Geosurvey.
Image: Pilot vessel (David Barnicote)
UK targets vessel efficiency
Two pilot vessels kick-start Monitoring for Operational Vessel Efficiency project
By EBS