MES develops e-GICS

Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding (MES) in Japan is putting the finishing touches on an online technical support system for marine engines, dubbed ?e-GICS?, ready for a planned launch this autumn.

The e-GICS, or ?Electronic Global Internet Customer Support? system will use Inmarsat satellite communications technology in combination with a web-based database for the purpose of providing speedy round-the-clock technical support for owners of vessels fitted with either Mitsui home-grown engines or MAN B&W engines manufactured by Mitsui under license.

Until now information on engines has been stored in disparate locations by shipowners, ship management companies, shipbuilders, and shipboard engineers making it difficult to carry out maintenance tasks efficiently. e-GICS aims to remedy this situation by providing a centralised repository of engine related data, based on a wealth of in-house test results and information collected from operational vessels after full engine overhauls.