Nakilat-Keppel Offshore and Marine (N-KOM) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) have engaged into a pioneering joint development project (JDP) to explore using remote survey techniques to augment shipyard surveys.
The JDP will examine how techniques developed by the ABS for its industry leading programme of remote survey of vessels in service can be applied to surveys and inspections in the shipyard.
The remote inspection technologies will be applied to six class surveys for this trial, to test how they can then be used to verify the required survey or inspection by ABS surveyors to optimise scheduling and minimise downtime for the shipyard, vessels and ABS.
The JDP will examine how remote techniques can be carried out on rudder clearance inspection; stern tube wear-down inspection; rudder plug opening inspection; boiler safety valve testing; fit-up inspections prior to welding and final weld visual inspection of non-critical items.
"“As one of the leading shipyards in the Middle East, N-KOM is committed to provide value-added services and solutions to our customers. In this spirit, we have worked closely with ABS to develop the remote inspection technique which would enhance our operational efficiency during the vessel repair and maintenance process," said its chief executive Damir Glavan.
Patrick Ryan, ABS senior vice president, Global Engineering and Technology, said together with the partners, it is committed to advancing safety and efficiency to augment surveys after construction with the application of the latest digital techniques.
"The potential of these technologies is significant and while we will begin with these initial six survey items, over time, as the approach is proven, we can potentially expand the scope,” it said.
ABS is a leader in remote survey and can conduct numerous classification annual surveys remotely on eligible vessels and has made its remote survey and audit services available to equipment and materials manufacturing clients all over the globe.