Total: 35pcs, 414,000kW
13.3 Standardization in the field of information and communication
The many information technology equipment and systems are installed onboard ships due to making up the information society. Information technology has gone through a rapid evolution with the microprocessor and computer such as PC becoming the standard hardware of choice for most applications, so the standards for the hardware established in the past become not to cover their full potential. Under these circumstances there are currently several international standards for the application software under development within the ISO. Although their origins have deep relation to the electric and electronic devices. The standards are not limited for the electric technology field.
The information technology systems which link to shore system via the communication satellite appears and will spread in future, therefore it is noted that the development of international standards for the application software in future will require of not only information technology but also communication technology including hardware.
The following items are under development work in 1998.
･ Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP)
･ Standard Guide for Implementation of a Fleet Management System Network (FMSN)
･ Standard Guide for a Ship Safety Records
･ Standard Guide for a Ship Operation Logs
13.4 Computer Year 2000 Problem
All concerned with the computer Year 2000 problem have much trouble. Although it has been initially emphasized to find out the problem equipment and systems onboard ship by the investigation for the Year 2000 compliance, it is reported that the problem of embedded microchip could not detected by the conventional compliance test. So the priority of Year 2000 problem in 1998 moves to the risk management such as making up contingency plans which are required in case equipment failure occurs despite all efforts to detect and remedy non compliance.
It is expected under computerization of equipment and devices onboard ship that the problem concerned software such as Year 2000 problem will occur repeatedly in future. Therefore a drastic countermeasure for these problem is required and it is necessary to establish such a standard of application software as “General principles for the development and use of programmable electronic systems in marine applications” (publication in 2001) under development within the IEC and the ISO.
References
1) The ABB company: Catalogs of “Azipod”
2) “Schiff & Haffen” issued in October, 1998
Note: “Azipod” is a registered trademark of ABB.
[Yasunori HARA]
14. Ocean Engineering Machinery and Offshore Structures
14.1 Offshore Oil Field Development
Because the offshore oil fields at deep sea are now on the profitable base, the FPSO (Floating Production Storage Off-loading Vessel) are now actively constructed. In Japan, one FPSO is now under construction by Hitachi Zosen Corp. One semi-submersible rig of the fifth generation is now under construction by Hitachi Zosen Corp.. Existing rigs are actively remodeled or modernized.
14.2 Offshore Energy Development
The demonstrative test of the offshore floating unit for wave energy absorption “Mighty Whale” has been continued since last year.
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry has a plan to develop the technology to pump up deep ocean water for 5 years since 1999 fiscal year in order to assist the industrial utilization of it. Cooling system making use of the low temperature stability of it will be one of utility.
