The Simrad Echo, a Norwegian research vessel owned and operated by Kongsberg, has been equipped with an Internet of Things (IoT) system. It is one of the first active working vessels using a maritime IoT solution. The system is to improve vessel operations through real-time monitoring and data analysis.

KVH Industries, Inc. and Kongsberg Digital installed a KVH Watch VSAT antenna for IoT connectivity and the Kognifai Vessel Insight platform on the vessel, which provides an integrated infrastructure for IoT connectivity and vessel-to-shore data. The Simrad Echo continues its normal operations during the pilot maritime IoT project.

The ship will rely on Kognifai Vessel Insight to monitor main and auxiliary systems on the vessel and help ensure availability. For example, the Kongsberg Mapping Cloud application will move high-resolution echo sounding data from vessel to shore in real time so that shore-based experts can provide analysis to optimize vessel operations.

Data from Ship to Cloud

‘While Vessel Insight works as an infrastructure for accessing contextualised quality data from a vessel or fleet, KVH is providing an alternative for IoT connectivity that enables the transfer of data from ship to cloud,’ says Vigleik Takle, Kongsberg Digital’s senior vice president of maritime digital solutions.

The data flow from Simrad Echo will be facilitated by KVH Watch IoT Connectivity as a Service, a VSAT solution that leverages KVH’s end-to-end maritime connectivity services and high throughput satellite (HTS) network. KVH Watch features two modes: Watch Flow, for 24/7, machine-to-machine data delivery compatible with major IoT ecosystems such as Kognifai; and Watch Intervention, for on-demand high-speed sessions for face-to-face support, remote equipment access, and very large data transfers.

KVH and Kongsberg Digital will use the Simrad Echo pilot program to enhance their maritime IoT solution, which is designed to enable remote equipment monitoring and performance optimisation for vessels ranging from small research vessels to tankers, bulk carriers, and containerships.

Picture: Simrad Echo KVH Watch Antenna.