Gaztransport and Technigaz (GTT), the French LNG storage technology company for shipping and onshore, said it was chosen by two major European LNG ship-owners to equip a total of three vessels with its predictive maintenance solution, the Sloshing Virtual Sensor.
This unique digital technology is dedicated to the assessment of sloshing activity to extend the cargo tank entry period.
GTT explained that the system uses the tank digital twin, designed by GTT, and the vessel’s real-time operational data to monitor the evolution of critical tank integrity parameters.
“Combined with an appropriate risk analysis, ship-owners and charterers are able to optimise the tank maintenance while complying with strict safety standards, improving operational flexibility and making significant cost savings,” said the Paris-based company.
STASCO validation
Earlier this year, GTT received an Approval in Principle (AiP) for this technology from UK classification society Lloyd’s Register following the extensive validation work carried out in close collaboration with Shell International Trading and Shipping Company (STASCO).
“Following the technical approval by the AiP, these contracts represent the commercial validation of the value that our customers see in the Sloshing Virtual Sensor,” said Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and Chief Executive of GTT.
“We are convinced that this technology will become an industry standard,” stated the CEO.
GTT also recently announced the creation a new brand from smart-shipping subsidiaries based in Singapore and Iceland.
The brand merger of the units is under the name Ascenz Marorka, taking the name of the Singaporean company Ascenz and the Europe-based Marorka.
GTT acquired Marorka, a smart-shipping company based in Iceland with services much sought by the LNG industry, in February 2020.
Marorka was bought from its owners and management team for an undisclosed sum.
The company designs maritime energy monitoring and optimization systems for vessels allowing them to reduce their environmental footprint and also provides other benefits.
The Icelandic company’s systems were at the time of its acquisition by GTT installed on more than 600 vessels.
Marorka was purchased as a good technical, commercial and geographical complement to the Far East smart-shipping unit Ascenz .
