At the beginning of 2013, we, ARGO NAVIS MARINE CONSULTING & ENGINEERING Ltd. have performed our first 3D laser scanning and feasibility study for retrofit of BWTS on board a 52000 DWT bulk carrier of EQUINOX MARITIME Ltd.
Since then and thus far, we have performed surveys and 3D laser scanning on board 12 vessels of our esteemed Clients: SILVERLAKE SHIPPING Co., SCF UNICOM MANAGEMENT SERVICES (Cyprus), MARLOW NAVIGATION Co. Ltd. (Cyprus) and MINERVA MARINE Inc., in collaboration with UNITED NAVAL ARCHITECTS Ltd.
Specifically, 3D laser scanning has been carried out on board one (1) bulk carrier, one (1) general cargo vessel and ten (10) tankers, while for the seven (7) of these vessels a feasibility study has been conducted as well, in order to investigate the possibility of installation of Owner’s pre-selected BWTS on board.
Furthermore, an engineering study is in progress for the general cargo vessel so as to proceed with retrofit installation works of the selected by the Owner system on board. Various project examples can be found in our web site www.argonavis.gr while video animations can be found in our web channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_zj3rrAOBvbda-HHZxZd-Q
Up to the end of 2014, surveys and 3D laser scanning of seven (7) more vessels have been already scheduled to be carried out in China, Singapore and Europe for our Clients MARLOW NAVIGATION Co. Ltd. (Cyprus), NEREUS SHIPPING S.A., SCF UNICOM MANAGEMENT SERVICES (Cyprus) and ANDRIAKI SHIPPING Co. Ltd.
With the recent ratification of Tonga and the Republic of Congo, the number of Contracting Parties to the BWMC has reached 40 representing 30.25% of the world tonnage. A few days ago, at the opening of the Technical Cooperation Committee, the IMO Secretary General announced that Governments of Japan and Turkey had now passed the legislation to approve ratification of the BWM Convention. The instrument for ratification will be received in the near future. Both countries together count for 2.28% of the world fleet in registered tonnage and the combined total tonnage per cent of contracting States would become 32.5% against the entry into force threshold of 35%. “We are definitely making progress” added the SG.
Also, based on latest information, Argentina and Italy are willing to ratify the convention soon and in that case, the remaining percentage will be less than 1%.
Meanwhile, since the USCG compliance dates threshold is already behind us and despite the non-availability of USCG type approved systems, more and more operators are starting the investigation of selection of BWTS and feasibility of installation onboard their ships.
The advantages of 3D laser scanning are now fully recognized:
• 3D laser scanning provides a 3D representation of the as built arrangement on board, through a cloud of millions of points, which is the base of the model, after processing the scan results. • 3D laser scanning is a fast process and does not interrupt vessel’s normal operation. • It eliminates most of the risks associated with manual measurement. • It is possible to compare different options in case the owner has shortlisted more than one BWT system. • It is possible to see how the system will fit before any further actions taken.
After completion of survey on board and 3D laser scanning, the results are being evaluated in our office. 3D modeling of the preselected systems’ equipment is performed, including associated piping. Integration of pre-selected systems’ 3D models into 3D laser scanning point cloud is performed. The investigation of feasibility of installation through integration and final selection of the preferred location for a BWTS to be installed is carried out.
Since the beginning of 2014, ARGO NAVIS has joined forces with UNITED NAVAL ARCHITECTS Ltd., an Athens based technical consulting Company as well, with experience in retrofit projects, in order to expand capacities, secure availability of experienced engineers and ensure that our Clients will benefit from the following:
• Decision support information for the selection of a BWTS that best fits each vessel’s design and operational profile. • Confidence that the selected BWTS will be installed and operated as per makers’ guidelines and owners’ instructions. • Class and Makers’ approved custom-made study to satisfy specific Owner’s requirements and project planning resulting in cost-effective and timely installation
We really believe and we would like to have the opportunity to prove that the time and cost saved for the Owner as a result of our studies are significantly greater that the cost of the study itself.
