Large ships and other vessels are just as prone to failures as any other modern mode of transportation. Be it a simple personal watercraft or the largest cargo ship, it takes only a single component to fail before the vessel ends stranded in the waters. Worse, a complete breakdown in critical mechanical systems could make repair works on the high seas extremely challenging.
An efficient PMS implementation has proven to be the best strategy thus far for shipping companies looking to overcome the odds of downtime from unexpected repairs.
For years, organizations have remained focused on setting aside a chunk of their valuable resources to manage maintenance schedules.
However, using tools such as spreadsheets has not always been the most reliable technique, and other efficient software was also hard to come by. This led to great stress and chaos from continuous email exchanges and unreliable data exchange between the shore and the vessel.
Thanks to the introduction of PMS in the shipping industry, such inefficient processes have largely become a thing of the past.
What Is a Planned Maintenance System (PMS)?
PMS, or Planned Maintenance System, represents a proactive approach to managing maintenance plans. It involves scheduling maintenance activities in advance based on several pre-defined criteria such as condition and usage of the vessel as well as operating schedules. In a PMS, regular inspections, servicing, and repair works are conducted at predefined intervals so that breakdowns can be prevented, equipment lifespans can be extended, and overall vessel performance can be optimized.
Planned Maintenance System Components
A comprehensive Planned Maintenance System usually comprises several important components, as discussed below.
Maintenance scheduling: Maritime maintenance activities are scheduled systematically to align with operational requirements, regulatory needs, and manufacturer recommendations. Adherence to a structured schedule ensures early identification and resolution of potential issues before they escalate into expensive failures.
Spare parts management: A PMS needs an efficient spare parts management module to function smoothly. With timely replenishment, accurate cataloging, and tracking inventory levels, you can ensure the ready availability of all critical components while minimizing downtime and optimizing available assets.
Condition monitoring: Condition monitoring techniques include thermography, oil analysis, and vibration analysis. These are used for real-time assessment of equipment health and performance. Tracking these key parameters helps detect deviations from key parameters early so that proactive measures can be taken to prevent the complete failure of the systems and other equipment.
Documentation and record keeping: Detailed record-keeping of critical information such as compliance documentation, equipment history, and maintenance activities.
How Is PMS Beneficial
When implemented correctly, PMS offers several benefits for shipping companies. Some of these are listed below.
Enhanced reliability and safety: Implementing a structured maintenance schedule greatly improves the reliability of the onboard equipment and systems. With preventive and regular maintenance, you can also identify and rectify potentially hazardous situations, thereby minimizing accidents and ensuring your crew and cargo remain safe at all times.
Optimized costs: Cost optimization through various means is another significant benefit of an efficient PMS implementation. The prominent transformations are seen in the following:
- Reduction in downtime: With planned maritime maintenance, unwanted and unscheduled downtimes can be minimized while vessel uptime and operational efficiency can be maximized.
- Extended lifespan: Timely repairs and regular servicing can prolong the lifespan of your critical assets, allowing you to put off costly replacements for later.
- Optimum spare parts usage: By effectively managing your spare parts, you can eliminate the need for emergency repairs and expedited purchases. This helps reduce your procurement costs and minimize expenses incurred in holding large inventories.
Regulatory compliance: Shipping operators must always prioritize compliance with stringent maritime regulations. Having a robust PMS helps ensure adherence to these regulatory requirements. It also facilitates smooth audits and other inspections while ensuring that you do not run the risk of unwanted sanctions and penalties.
How Can PMS Help in Enhancing Your Ship’s Longevity
Not many seem to realize this, but mechanics, ships, and boats are similar to cars and trucks. All these modes of transportation feature complex ancillary systems and drivetrains for smooth operation. Just as periodic servicing greatly benefits your vehicle, the same also holds for marine vessels. By conducting preventive maintenance, you can reduce the probability of unexpected repairs, thereby enjoying several benefits, such as less downtime and reduced service costs, culminating in the ultimate benefit of ship lifespan extension.
It is quite standard for vessel operators in the maritime industry to follow a preventive maintenance approach that helps overcome the expenses, complexities, and dangers associated with emergency offshoring services. An established plan for performing critical maintenance when the vessel is docked reduces unwanted downtime. It minimizes risks for the crew members, who can maintain greater maritime operations efficiency and enjoy a safe, cost-efficient voyage.
How Can Ship Reliability Be Improved With PMS
At times, the smallest of issues, when left unattended, can snowball into something serious. For instance, hull cleaning is an important part of routine maintenance where various forms of sea life, such as barnacles, are removed from under the vessel. If not conducted at regular intervals, it could lead to much-unwanted drag and inefficient vessel performance. This also impacts the fuel economy, and as the ship operator, you would have to deal with higher fuel expenses.
What is worse, all of this could potentially lead to mechanical issues! In the end, you will have to shell out a significantly higher amount in outright repairs and face extended downtime compared to what you would have experienced had you gone about your routine hull cleaning.
Conduct preventive maintenance to enhance ship reliability and guard against unwanted downtime. The longer your ship remains out of commission, the more business and revenues you will lose. Depending on the scale and scope of operations, a sidelined vessel could also create an unwanted negative ripple effect throughout the organization with delays in deliveries and shipments, ultimately impacting customer satisfaction and your business reputation.
Hence, ship operators should plan ahead and set aside some time to conduct regular inspections and ship maintenance. This will not only make your vessel more reliable in the long run but also help you generate considerable savings in time and money, as well as unwanted headaches!
Challenges in PMS Implementation and How to Overcome Them
While there are a host of undeniable benefits to a PMS system implementation, it also comes with its fair share of challenges.
- One of the major challenges most organizations face is resistance to change. Crew members who are accustomed to the traditional method of working may resist the adoption of new technology. To address this, highlight how the crew can benefit from the new system in their day-to-day activities. Also, arrange thorough training sessions to help them get acquainted with the latest systems before implementing a full-scale replacement.
- Data migration is another significant challenge for the shipping companies. Transferring the maintenance records to the new systems can be complex. In such situations, working closely with the PMS provider is advisable to enable a smooth transition and overcome any other associated challenges or issues.
Final Words
In modern maritime maintenance, PMS implementation stands out as a cornerstone with its unparalleled cost management, efficiency, and safety benefits. It can integrate with other technologies, and its unparalleled predictive maintenance solutions make it critical for maritime operators to enhance ship longevity.
Adhering to the best practices and embracing new technological advancements can help take the marine industry to new heights of operational efficiency and excellence. With further advancements expected, PMS systems hold a promising future with greater innovations likely to solidify their role in boosting maritime operations.
