Accuracy comes first: Wialon controls cargo ships fueling in the Far East of Russia

Every once in a while, Wialon partners are contacted by the companies that face serious problems caused by minor inaccuracies in calculations or hardware operations. Sakhalin Shipping Company is the one that knows firsthand the cost of a seemingly insignificant measurement error when it comes to hundreds of tons of fuel.

Minor inaccuracy turns into a big problem

Sakhalin Shipping Company delivers goods across the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan. The company's fleet consists of fifteen vessels.

SASCO ANIVA container ship in the port

SASCO ANIVA is one of the shipping company's container ships. Its tank holds more than 240 tons of mazut. When it comes to such a large amount of fuel, even the smallest measurement inaccuracy can result in serious financial losses.

The client used to control the fuel amount with the help of an ordinary counter and a measuring stick. This measuring method implied significant measurement errors that sometimes caused a large fuel overrun. The shipping company needed a solution that could read fuel parameters as accurately as possible and prevent overpayments.

It's time to replace an old fuel counter on board of SASCO ANIVA

The solution that paid off after the fourth fueling 

Sakhalin Shipping Company turned to Wialon's partner Spec Centr Orbita from Russia with their problem and gained a control system that paid off incredibly quickly – upon the fourth usage.

• The integrator's specialists decided to replace an old fuel counter with a modern flow meter Endress Hauser series f300. The measurement error for this device is no more than 0.05%. It measures mazut temperature, density, and weight. The volume is calculated separately based on the weight data.
• The flow meter displays all the parameters on-site. An additional panel OVEN SP307 was also placed at the captain's bridge upon the client’s request.

Fuel status data is displayed in Wialon, on the flow meter display, and the panel at the captain's bridge

• The Galileosky 7x terminal sends the collected data to Wialon Hosting through the GSM network and the MODBUS protocol. The satellite communication turned out to be unnecessary for this project since fuel control is only required when fueling, which takes place in port.
• The fuel department management uses the Wialon app for Android and iOS to access the vessel data. Other employees need the desktop version to generate reports.
• In February 2021, a short intensive course on how to work with Wialon is planned for the client's personnel.

No welding on board is allowed. What to do?

According to safety regulations, welding was forbidden on board the ship. To meet the Maritime Register tough requirements, the hardware should have been installed in strictly limited space. The fuel line’s correct geometry should have been observed as it was critical for eliminating the chances of water hammer and bubble formation during the flow meter operation.

The integrator found a way out by making necessary calculations and welding pipes using templates in a workshop. Pressure molding and priming also took place in the workshop. There were several fit checks before the finished frame and all the devices were installed aboard SASCO ANIVA.

After detailed calculations, welding, pressure molding, and priming in the workshop and several on-site fit checks, the hardware is safely installed and ready to go.

Project results

The Wialon-based solution designed by Spec Centr Orbita specifically for the SASCO ANIVA container ship offers Sakhalin Shipping Company a convenient way to obtain the most accurate data on the fuel quality and amount. The fact that the system paid off so quickly fills the project’s future with confidence: the client has already got rid of extra expenses and will be able to save enormous money.

Is there an exciting Wialon-based project under your belt? Do not hesitate and tell us about it by sending an email to marketing@gurtam.com. The articles on the most interesting use cases will appear on our blog.