World of possibilities

Refits and midlife upgrades of naval vessels are a growing business, says Mattias Skrinning, Kongsberg Maritime’s Vice President, Global Customer Support (GCS), Naval, but the demands go beyond hardware.  

Traditionally, Kongsberg Maritime focused on advanced performance in propulsion systems, deck machinery and stabilisation systems for naval vessels. That is being extended to include automation and control and bridge systems, according to Per Bruun, Kongsberg Maritime’s Vice President Naval Sales, GCS.  
Per, an expert on vessel automation and control systems, says that upgrades and refits to these systems are crucial to giving older vessels a new life. “It is about having the latest functionality onboard,” he says, adding that the right software and updates are vital to modern naval vessel operations. Upgraded automation and control systems, when combined with revamped bridge and propulsion systems, help naval planners ease the transition from older fleets to new vessels.  
According to Per, Kongsberg Maritime’s automation and control systems are being introduced to navies globally.  

Condition-monitoring solutions, honed and perfected for the commercial market, are also finding a place in older naval vessels. This helps planning and minimises downtime. “More than ever, we are doing performance-based upgrades and optimisation that involves integration of systems and hardware,” says Mattias.  

Both Mattias and Per say that the increasing expected lifespan of a new vessel means that navies are also looking for longer support agreements, which the Kongsberg Maritime team is working on, in partnership with shipyards and suppliers.  Mattias says that hardware support that involves spare parts or service personnel is just one level of support for navies. “We work closely with a client to make sure that their fleet is operational and we assist with maintenance planning, as well as parts and replacements.”  

The other key aspect of modern naval support is to be agile and reduce downtime.  
“Navies are looking at fleet availability much more closely today compared with a number of years ago,” says Mattias. “They could put vessels in dry dock for a year or so to do maintenance, but now the turnover time is much faster. They need their vessels back in the water.” With increased cooperation at the local level, he says that planned maintenance can shorten dry dock times and increase availability of vessels. 

Kongsberg Maritime has offices and service centres in more than 30 countries that provide support and after-market sales as needed to naval clients, with engineers in all product segments prepared to provide support 24/7. Three regional hubs – in Singapore, Norway and New Orleans – offer the full spectrum of sales, technical support, service and spare part support to any naval vessel.  
In addition to this global support network, Kongsberg Maritime has also worked hard at localisation efforts in support of national programmes. This is particularly so in Latin America, where projects are now under way in Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Peru.  

The Indian Navy has selected RAS systems for five replenishment vessels. Through this contract the company will also support the local ‘Make in India’ initiative to help develop “robust supply chain and local capabilities”.  
The Type 26 programme is global in nature, with production having started in Australia, Canada and the UK. Kongsberg Maritime provides support on propeller production in Australia and is working with a local builder, Irving Shipyard, in Canada.  

“We are working with localisation if we need to support vessels and fleets in a country,” says Mattias. “We set up either our own entity or work with local partners. We make sure that customers have the capability to support themselves.”