Teekay stays with monitoring system

Computerized Analysis of Ship PERformance (Casper for short) from US company Propulsion Dynamics is described as a turnkey subscription service that provides shipowners with decision support for technical and operational fuel efficiency programs.

The two-year extension for the Casper service will cover 23 LNG carriers under the Teekay banner with a further seven ships to be included as they enter into Teekay management.

As part of Casper, the technical performance of individual vessels is used to evaluate realistic charter rates, review development of hull and propeller resistance, and determine economically optimal intervals for hull cleaning and propeller polishing. Comparisons between ships enable different hull coatings to be evaluated for fouling, and the effect on speed and fuel consumption.

“We are very pleased in the manner that Teekay is utilising the Casper reports and our collaboration for setting achievable targets to maintain and improve ship performance from the existing data logging equipment on board over the past half decade,” said Daniel Kane, VP of Propulsion Dynamics.

Teekay implemented the Casper service on all vessels in 2009. With Casper, the hull and propeller performance is regularly monitored and any anomaly is highlighted for corrective action. Appropriate maintenance is then carried out to ensure vessel performance is returned to optimal levels. The vessel’s performance is referenced to sea trial conditions to derive an empirical relation called ‘added resistance’.

“The Casper service is a valuable tool in our operational and performance arsenal. The regular reports assist in forward planning of hull and propeller in water maintenance, and this is fundamental in improving the efficiency of the vessels,” said Graham Cattley, Teekay technical manager projects.