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AAL experiences practical benefits of DNV’s Route-Specific Cargo Calculator
A new, easy-to-use online app developed by DNV enables cargo operators to design the seafastening of breakbulk cargo based on the specific route and season. AAL Shipping shares how it has benefited from the Route-Specific Cargo Calculator in customer projects, highlighting its impact on enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs and ensuring compliance in heavy lift shipping.
Featuring in this interview
Nicola Pacifico, Global Head of Transport Engineering at AAL Shipping
Nicola Pacifico started his professional career in 1989 in offshore construction for oil and gas platforms and subsea installations before moving into the field of heavy lift transportation in 1999, establishing an offshore department at one of the sector’s leading companies. Since 2011, he has worked as the Global Head of Transport Engineering at AAL Shipping, utilizing his experience to improve and expand the company’s technical capabilities, ensuring it maintains the highest standards to position its engineering services at the forefront of the industry.
Your practical experiences with the Route-Specific Cargo Calculator played a key role in its ongoing enhancement and development. What are the most noticeable differences compared to traditional approaches?
The Route-Specific Cargo Calculator developed by DNV and applied to AAL’s A-Class and Super B-Class vessels addresses the issue of evaluating voyage-specific scenarios, calculating route- and season-specific accelerations for cargo stowage and securing. Traditional guidelines and approaches are limited in their objectives and their primary goal is to provide recommended practices for all scenarios, so they are therefore determined using the “worst-case scenario”. They consequently contain safety margins beyond what is often required for certain sailings, resulting in excessive lashing and seafastening. Unlike conventional methodologies, this web-based application considers the vessel’s unique hull characteristics to utilize the latest CSS Code 2020 amendments, which permit adjustments in accelerations based on intended routes, seasonal conditions and wave height limitations. This addresses the limitations in traditional approaches and enables us to optimize seafastening operations.
In practice, how did the Route-Specific Cargo Calculator help you meet your client’s needs? Were there any particular challenges you faced and how did the app assist in overcoming them?
In three recent projects involving major offshore wind OEMs, AAL utilized the calculator to improve the efficiency of its operations. For these projects, the clients had specified maximum allowable accelerations for their cargoes. In two of those three projects, the prescribed acceleration limits were exceptionally stringent, posing challenges under traditional CSS Code or DNV Rule-based calculations. The Route-Specific Cargo Calculator played a crucial role in demonstrating compliance, eliminating the need for complex calculations, which may not yield definitive compliance confirmation. For one of the projects, we had two scenarios: wind turbine towers in the hold and either heavy barges or lighter towers on deck. Here, the software proved indispensable in presenting two extreme stability conditions. We leveraged the software to confidently document compliance across multiple loading scenarios.
Could you elaborate on the practical benefits of the calculator?
The primary objective of this calculator is to enhance reliability and efficiency in determining optimal acceleration parameters, ultimately reducing costs and improving turnaround times. The system generates comprehensive reports bearing the DNV logo, providing documented proof of compliance and calculation accuracy. This streamlined process enables rapid result generation, and the final reports are both compact and easy to interpret. As the demands on heavy lift shipping continues to evolve, the development and adoption of such innovative technologies will be crucial in optimizing both safety and economic performance across global shipping networks.
Have you integrated the calculator with other systems and why?
For AAL’s Super B-Class vessels, the integration of the ABB OCTOPUS motion monitoring and forecasting system with the Route-Specific Cargo Calculator allows for continuous evaluation and validation, further refining the process. This integration enhances the reliability and efficiency of determining optimal acceleration parameters.
How has the Route-Specific Cargo Calculator influenced your clients’ confidence in your operations?
With DNV as provider of the calculator, it enjoys a high level of industry acceptance. Client confidence in DNV’s Route-Specific Cargo Calculator remains strong, as it provides a robust theoretical foundation whilst maintaining a user-friendly interface. This high level of acceptance and confidence is crucial in optimizing both safety and economic performance across global shipping networks.