JAPAN's Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has announced that it partnered with Sekido Co and MOL Marine Co to test the use of a remotely operated subsea vehicle (subsea ROV) to inspect the submerged areas of the hull on an MOL Marine-operated cable-laying ship.
The demonstration test clearly showed the viability of checking for faults and damage to submerged outboard equipment and determining the status of damage to the ship bottom using a subsea ROV, the company said.
'In general, fouling of outboard equipment and vessel bottom may have a negative impact on vessel operation, such as reduced speed and higher fuel consumption, so such parts require periodic inspection and cleaning,' said a company statement.
Conventionally, divers conduct such inspections, but weather and sea conditions affect the inspection work, and in some cases, requires more time and leads to higher costs, said MOL.
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The demonstration test clearly showed the viability of checking for faults and damage to submerged outboard equipment and determining the status of damage to the ship bottom using a subsea ROV, the company said.
'In general, fouling of outboard equipment and vessel bottom may have a negative impact on vessel operation, such as reduced speed and higher fuel consumption, so such parts require periodic inspection and cleaning,' said a company statement.
Conventionally, divers conduct such inspections, but weather and sea conditions affect the inspection work, and in some cases, requires more time and leads to higher costs, said MOL.
WORLD SHIPPING