Integrating data science into a global maritime company.
An architecture for data analysis of nearly 1,000 ships.
Training and scaling up the Data Science department
Toine Cleophas, director of Damen Digital Solutions, set up his Data Science department together with Blenddata. “The maritime sector is conservative. Initially it was pioneering, now the department is becoming more calm and structured. We monitor close to a thousand ships and fill the needs of shipowners. It feels like we have taken the department from start-up to scale up.”
“Our software can monitor ships and analyse data for shipowners. If you monitor a ship remotely, you can use that to control it better. We also provide this technology for ships that we have not built ourselves. For example, to mammoth ships that want to measure their emissions or shipowners who have five of our ships and want to hook up the rest of the fleet.”
By optimising routes, reducing fuel consumption and avoiding downtime, shipping companies save significant costs.
Potential problems on engines or hull fouling, for example, are detected early. Proactive remote maintenance and service is more efficient and increases vessel productivity.
Understanding ships’ CO2 emissions reduces environmental impact and CO2 burden and helps shipping companies stay compliant with regulations, allowing them to continue sailing everywhere.
Damen Digital Solutions
Damen Digital Solutions
Toine Cleophas: “We were already collecting data. We just weren’t able to analyse such quantities. That’s in terabytes and can’t be done on your laptop. We were looking for a solution to do analysis in our Azure cloud. Blenddata came up with the architecture. Then we had the tool but not the experience. Then we asked Blenddata to train our team of newly hired data scientists. They have been doing that for two years now.”
“If you hire a data scientist at a shipyard, they end up in an environment with no peers. Then such a person quickly gets lost. Because the company is still figuring out how to best use a data scientist. Blenddata’s specialists know how to work together with people less experienced in data science. Initially it was pioneering, now Blenddata has brought more peace and structure to the department.”
“The question was also to create a setting that young people could relate to. In the short term by developing a way of working that gets results, in the long term by offering career opportunities. With Jari as data specialist and Vincent as team lead, Blenddata fills that role. The starting point has always been for our data scientists to take over. Yet Blenddata stays on board as a knowledge institution. Because they have clients in multiple industries, they gain information faster and know what’s going on. They are a spider in the web.”
“The team at Blenddata is integrated into our organisation and accepts Damen as it is, including immaturities. They take a leading role in the growth of the department and include everyone else. Even people who don’t experience usefulness themselves but have to provide input. Whether that’s my direct colleagues or it department or the people in the office. Whatever it takes. A data stream passes all those stations, you need them to make it work.”
“Unlike in a factory, the crew of a ship is used to acting autonomously. There is a fear of losing independence as more data is collected and analysed. This is true, but there are also advantages. Think of a ferry connecting an island to the mainland; it’s a tragedy if it doesn’t work. When a mechanic can remotely fix a problem, we avoid downtime. Capital-intensive products have to work for people.”
Damen Digital Solutions
Damen Digital Solutions
Wondering what data can do for your business? Make an appointment with one of our engineers. We are curious to know what you are up against.