Höegh Readies New Horizon Vessels
Höegh Autoliners ordered the latest additions to its fleet, the New Horizon vessels, in which the information technology on board is fully integrated and connected with the land organisation via satellite.
The information and communications technology is revolutionising shipping, bringing with it a new era of ‘cyber-enabled’ ships, says the company.
Jan Rune Mørken, Head of Newbuilding in Höegh Autoliners says: "One of the greatest features of the information technology we have applied on board the New Horizon vessels is that all systems on board are now connected and integrated. Our crew can control the majority of all technical installations on board by viewing only one data dashboard and we can connect with them at all times. This makes sailing safer and transportation more efficient."
Onboard the New Horizon vessels, the navigation, automation and propulsion controls are all integrated in to one system and a common technology platform. Their performance can be monitored live on workstations around the vessel and be shared over satellite with the ship operator’s office, with the system supplier and with the engine manufacturer for remote maintenance questions.
“Already on older PCTCs there is a vast amount of data potentially available. The problem is not that we have too little data, but that it sits in several systems and can therefore not be used to its full potential” says Jan Rune Mørken. “In comparison, onboard the New Horizon vessels the data is integrated in to one system, making it much easier to read and combine in analysis and simulation work.”
Morten Stanger, Vice President Merchant Marine at Kongsberg Maritime which supplies the integrated automation, navigation and information system onboard the New Horizon vessels says: "Höegh definitely shows they want to be in the front of the technological development in the maritime industry, by choosing a fully integrated and connected system from navigation to propulsion control."
With a fully integrated dashboard, the Captain and his crew can now have a greater situational awareness on the bridge, in the engine room and in other operational areas.
With a vessel performance system implemented, the New Horizon vessels have a state-of-the art system to support Höegh’s work to minimise fuel consumption. The system tracks fuel consumption throughout the journey, analyses historical data and compares it to current conditions, to advise the ship’s crew on ways of improving energy efficiency.
