Software is the key to efficient shipping

GL Greece hosted an Exchange Forum on “Advancements in maritime software for safe and efficient ship operations” in Athens, presenting GL Maritime Software and its products. The agenda of the forum included expert presentations, discussions and a platform for exchange.
Over 100 guests attended the Forum on 18 November 2010 at the Metropolitan
Hotel.
Mr. Athanasios Reisopoulos, Area Manager Mediterranean / Southern Africa welcomed the guests and presented the speakers, experts from GL Maritime Software in Hamburg. In his opening speech he gave the reason for the organization of the Forum by pointing out the importance of IT applications on the shipping industry: “The current trend among shipping companies towards establishing internal IT networks is just the beginning.” Just ten years ago, computers on ships were considered something “nice to have”; today, they are “expected”, he added. Maintaining loading, staff, ordering and maintenance lists in electronic format is standard procedure on almost all ocean-going ships these days. But frequently these functions are spread
among separate, isolated software applications that are not routinely synchronized across the entire fleet. Deploying an integrated solution can deliver significant benefits.
The first presentation was given by Dr Torsten Buessow, Vice President Maritime Solutions, on “Effective Ship and Maintenance Management” and briefed the audience on the newly developed product “GL HullManager”. Dr Buessow, showed how technical managers can use modern software technology – GL Hull Manager – to support hull condition inspection and maintenance. Using a 3D model of each individual vessel, inspection results can be easily documented and assessed. The knowledge database built up over time provides a much higher transparency of vessel conditions and can be used, for example, for preparing dry-dock tenders.
The event covered the latest developments in GL Maritime Software’s ship / fleet management software, as well as innovative onboard systems.
Following, Christian Beiersdorf, Product Manager, GL Maritime Software, presented the topic “Using hydrodynamics for safe and efficient ship operations”. He explained the hydrodynamic characteristics of ships and tools to predict them. GL Maritime Software developed “GL SeaScout” and “ECO Assistant”, two advanced solutions to improve the safety and efficiency of ships in operation.
The last presentation was made by Mr. Simon Strasser, Principal Consultant, GL Maritime Software, on “Business Intelligence Systems supporting ship operation” and elaborated on how “GL FleetAnalyzer” addresses the decision makers’ needs for “just in time” vital decision supporting information.