Mobile Passage Planning for Marine Vessel Shipment Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual and labor-intensive processes of marine vessel shipment management, including loading plan generation and navigation, are time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to increased costs and delays in offshore operations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system using mobile communication devices for marine vessel shipment management, which includes generating and approving loading plans, selecting passage plans, and logging delivery information through a user interface, to automate and streamline the shipment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual processes are used for loading plan generation and vessel navigation, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption increases and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with electronic digital systems. Mobile communication devices and electronic loading plans substitute for manual document handling and navigation, enabling automated data entry, calculation, and navigation guidance. This substitution eliminates human errors in data entry and calculation while maintaining operational flexibility through mobile device accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated loading plan generation and navigation guidance. The electronic system automatically calculates loading configurations, generates navigation routes, and provides real-time guidance without requiring extensive manual intervention. This reduces the time and effort needed for routine operations while maintaining adaptability through user-friendly mobile interfaces.
2Productivity
If manual record keeping and information transfer are used, then system complexity is reduced, but error rates increase and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device serves multiple functions: it displays loading plans, provides navigation guidance, enables real-time communication, and facilitates data transfer. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems and manual processes into a single device, improving productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between various system components. It receives loading plan data from the planning system, displays navigation instructions from the navigation system, and facilitates communication between different stakeholders. This intermediary role simplifies information transfer and coordination while reducing the need for complex direct integrations between all systems.
3Loss of time
If automated systems are implemented for shipment management, then turnaround time decreases and costs reduce, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is segmented into modular components that can be independently implemented and deployed. The loading plan generation, navigation guidance, and communication functions are separate modules that can be activated as needed. This segmentation reduces implementation complexity by allowing phased deployment and easier troubleshooting, while still achieving the time-saving benefits of automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a method for marine vessel shipment management. A loading plan with supplies to be shipped on a marine vessel is presented to a user interface of a mobile communication device in communication with other mobile communication devices. Using the user interface, a modifiable passage plan is selected for the loading plan. The passage plan includes a route to an intended destination for delivery of the supplies. Upon delivery of the supplies to the intended destination, a notice of delivery is obtained via the user interface of one or more of the mobile communication devices.