Arnaud Dianoux, Founder and Managing Director of Opsealog, explores how data standardisation can pave the way for enhanced efficiency, sustainability and strategic advantage in the offshore supply vessels sector

While the volume of data generated by modern vessels is globally higher compared to previous generations, its true value remains untapped due to a lack of standardisation.

The need for data standardisation in the maritime industry echoes the transformative impact of the shipping container in the 1950s.

Just as the container revolutionised cargo handling, data standards are crucial for meeting environmental reporting mandates and leveraging innovative solutions to boost performance and efficiency.

Data standards define the format and meaning of data elements, enabling a common understanding for the exchange of digital information.

They provide a vital frame of reference for interpreting information across various operational aspects, such as a vessel’s speed, activities (operations), fuel consumption, and emissions.

Without standardisation, inconsistencies can lead to significant errors. For instance, the difference between a nautical mile per hour (knot) and a statute mile per hour can result in cumulative errors if the units are confused.

In essence, data standards can serve as the international language of digital communication and collaboration, much like English has become the international language of shipping and trade.

The economic rationale for data standards is also compelling. Just as how shipping containers provide the building blocks for efficient cargo handling, data standards will provide owners and operators with the tools to meet their specific needs.

UNLOCKING THE VALUE OF STANDARDISED DATA

The implications of data standards extend beyond regulatory compliance. Consistent standards enable operators to benchmark and improve operational practices.

Real-time monitoring and data analytics empower stakeholders to track crucial KPIs, such as fuel consumption, technical availability, cargo capacity optimisation, idle time, change in operation vs theorical planning, engine efficiency, and emissions.

By analysing structured data, operators can identify areas for improvement, implement targeted interventions, and measure the impact of operational adjustments.

Furthermore, predictive analytics, enabled by standardised data, is an important enabler of condition-based maintenance.

This proactive approach allows for the detection of potential equipment issues before they escalate, reducing downtime, extending asset lifespan, and improving overall reliability.

Data standardisation also fosters transparency and collaboration between owners and charterers. A "common language" for data sharing enhances transparency, which has the potential to improve bidding processes, contractual obligations, and conflict resolution.

Unified reporting standards also provide an objective basis for assessing contract compliance and performance.

Moreover, as companies face increasing pressure to report their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, standardised digital reporting ensures that the required information is readily available, in the correct format, and in line with widely accepted standards.

This not only allows companies to use the same benchmarks but also enhances transparency through the sharing of high-level KPIs.

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF DATA MANAGEMENT

Currently, a significant amount of data fails to generate value due to a lack of standardisation.

Modern ships generate an estimated 20 gigabytes of data daily, encompassing noon reports and sensor data from various equipment.

This vast amount of data holds immense potential, such as providing insights into why some vessels perform better than others through the analysis of data from electronic fuel monitoring systems, onboard sensors, and digital logbooks.

However, realising this potential requires the data to be accessible to the vessel owner and in the appropriate format.

Seafarers play a crucial role in collecting and inputting information, often in a multitude of formats and reports, which increases their workload.

Unfortunately, their efforts are frequently wasted as the data remains confined to paper, spreadsheets, and emails.

This unsustainable situation underscores the importance of data standardisation for improving global data quality across the industry.

Progressive data standardisation will alleviate the reporting burden for ship crews and onshore data-handling companies, regardless of whether the data originates from reports or sensors.

Standardisation also enhances data quality by enabling the automatic population of specific data elements in digitalised reports with onboard sensor output, potentially at a higher frequency than manual input.

This "enter once, use many times" approach reduces repetitive tasks and the risk of human error, freeing up crew working time.

Furthermore, it streamlines integration and exchange protocols, resulting in improvements in cost, time, and data quality.

INDUSTRY-DRIVEN PROGRESS

The industry is already demonstrating its capacity to lead this change. Industry groups, comprising shipowners, charterers, software providers, and OEMs, are developing data standards to ease the burden of regulatory requirements and enable companies to capitalise on enhanced reporting for commercial and ESG success.

Notable examples include the Smart Maritime Council's Version 1.0 of the Standardised Vessel Dataset for Noon Reports, which provides a dictionary of standard names, units, and reporting formats to simplify data exchange and ensure consistency across applications.

Additionally, Energy LEAP released Version 1.0 of its Vessel Emissions Reporting Standard in late 2023, covering data elements and reporting events for IMO MRV and CII calculations.

The International Support Vessel Owners Association (ISOA) is also actively discussing data standardisation initiatives.

This work builds upon the industry-developed white paper "10 Principles to Decarbonise the OSV Industry," which emphasises the importance of transparent and standardised performance data.

Complementing these efforts, the industry is making steady progress in defining standards for automatic data gathering and exchange.

THE COMMERCIAL PUSH FOR EFFICIENCY

Commercial challenges are also driving the need for improved performance. Charterers are experiencing sharp increases in global costs due to high fuel prices and daily rates, which is fuelling the adoption of digital systems to boost operational efficiency.

For owners, vessel shortages and attractive rates incentivise maximising vessel availability in a favourable market.

Achieving industry-wide data standardisation at scale will require time and effort, but it is feasible.

The successful implementation of the maritime single window for data exchange in ports, which became mandatory on 1 January 2024, demonstrates this. This initiative has enhanced the efficiency of ports and improved the visibility of maritime activities globally.

Developing standards for e-reporting in the marine offshore sector presents unique challenges due to the complexity and variety of operations performed by offshore supply vessels (OSVs), SOVs, and cable-laying vessels. Data collection platforms must reflect this complexity, necessitating a high level of sector knowledge.

The increasing technical sophistication of OSVs, with multiple onboard software applications, can lead to challenges in data handling, quality assurance, and information analysis.

Concerns about data protection and confidentiality may also impede the implementation of industry-wide data standards.

It is crucial to ensure that data is secure, used only for contractual purposes, and remains the owner’s property.

Effective change management and the implementation of new standards in a way that is practical for all stakeholders will be essential. Data governance strategies must be developed to establish policies and procedures that ensure adherence to data standards, fostering a corporate culture of commitment.

EMBRACING THE FUTURE

Digital standards possess long-term strategic value and will become a key differentiator to reach operational excellence, reduce costs, fuel consumption, and emissions.

Digitalisation and preparedness for upcoming regulations are intertwined, making this the time to prepare.

A robust digital structure enables shipowners and charterers to thoroughly understand their fleet and operations, optimise existing assets for greenhouse gas emission reduction, and make informed decisions about retrofits and newbuilds.

The increasing prevalence of multi-fuel fleets and vessels with clean technologies will further necessitate granular data for performance evaluation.

Data empowers companies to be proactive and pragmatic. By tracking data on fuel consumption, emissions, and operational patterns, operators can establish a baseline, identify opportunities for improvement, prepare for regulations, and make strategic decisions with confidence.

This transforms data into a performance accelerator, enabling companies to seize opportunities for operational, financial, and environmental excellence.

Data standardisation is vital for providing shipowners and charterers with deeper insights into vessel performance, aiding in the selection of appropriate vessels for diverse projects and informing future newbuilds.

Operators who lag in this digital transformation risk being ill-prepared for the regulatory and commercial challenges ahead. They will struggle to validate their market position and fall short of their full potential for efficiency.

The collaborative approaches used to develop data standards can also be leveraged to address other forward-looking goals, such as decarbonisation, and to harness technological advancements like artificial intelligence.

The reality is that data standardisation is not merely a technical necessity but a strategic imperative for the OSV sector. By embracing standardisation, the industry can unlock the full potential of data, driving efficiency, sustainability, and a new era of maritime excellence.

By Abdulaziz Khattak