A Case Study on the Establishment of Upper Control Limit to Detect Vessel’s Main Engine Failures using Multivariate Control Chart

Main engine failures in ship operations can lead to a major damage in terms of the vessel itself and the financial cost. In this respect, monitoring of a vessel’s main engine condition is crucial in ensuring the vessel's performance and reducing the maintenance cost. The collection of a huge amount of vessel operational data in the maritime industry has never been easier with the advent of advanced data collection technologies. Real-time monitoring of the condition of a vessel’s main engine has a potential to create significant value in maritime industry. This study presents a case study on the establishment of upper control limit to detect vessel’s main engine failures using multivariate control chart. The case study uses sample data of an ocean-going vessel operated by a major marine services company in Korea, collected in the period of 2016.05-2016.07. This study first reviews various main engine-related variables that are considered to affect the condition of the main engine, and then attempts to detect abnormalities and their patterns via multivariate control charts. This study is expected to help to enhance the vessel’s availability and provide a basis for a condition-based maintenance that can support proactive management of vessel’s main engine in the future.22Nkc