Critical vessel functions rely heavily on computerised software-based systems that are becoming more complex, automated, and integrated. Software failures or reliability issues can now result in significant safety risks, as well as lost revenue due to off-hire days.
To help address these risks, DNV and Nakilat brought together shipyards – DSME, Hudong-Zhonghua, HHI, and SHI, with system suppliers – ABB, Honeywell, Kongsberg, and Wärtsilä, to contribute to the development of the RP.
Reliable vessel operations
Nakilat's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Eng. Abdullah Al-Sulaiti, said “With one of the largest LNG shipping fleets in the world, we are intimately aware of the importance of Information Technology (IT) integrity in ensuring safe, sustainable, and reliable vessel operations.”
We are pleased to be partnering with key players in the industry to share our insights"
He adds, “With the experience gained from completing our own fleet-wide digitalisation exercise, we are pleased to be partnering with key players in the industry to share our insights and contribute towards the improvement of vessel IT and computerisation reliability and quality. The newly published RP will act as a key enabler for the safe implementation of new digital technologies onboard, helping other vessel managers and owners to mitigate the risks of digitalisation while improving the safety of the crew, environment, vessel, and cargo.”
Strong industry participation
“Our recent white paper highlighted an emerging safety gap in shipping rooted in the rapid digitalisation of the industry and the increasingly complex on-board systems of modern vessels,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime.
He adds, “Addressing these emerging risks is essential to our mission as a classification society, but it requires a collective effort. This is why we are very pleased that there is such a strong industry participation in this project, as it further underlines the growing importance of this topic. The RP is designed to help owners and operators deal with software in the same way they would machinery or other physical systems onboard and with the RP now available, we hope to see this implemented soon in both newbuildings and the existing fleet.”
Improving software reliability
The RP can also assist in establishing maintenance plans, service level agreements
The Recommended Practice (RP) provides guidance on the handling of complex software and computer-based systems throughout a vessel's life cycle (design, construction, commissioning, and operation).
By focusing on system integration and software change handling, the RP works to improve software reliability and quality.
RP used as a contractual element in newbuildings
Furthermore, the RP may be used as a contractual element/requirement in newbuilding or conversion projects, and/or as guidelines for suppliers, system integrators, and owners/operators to check compliance and the ongoing status of systems.
The RP can also assist in establishing maintenance plans, service level agreements, and life cycle warranties for software, provides a process to assess project timelines and risks, including alignment across sister vessels, and provides recommendations to increase the interoperability and integrability of vessel software and systems to vessels at both the newbuilding and operational phases.