New software for the offshore and shipping industries, including optimal voyage planning for safe journeys and minimum fuel consumption, are expected to emerge from a partnership agreement between Star Information Systems and weather experts StormGeo. Meg Chesshyre reports.
Star Information Systems (SIS) is among the largest providers of software systems for maintenance, safety management, purchasing and logistics within both the shipping and offshore sectors. StormGeo lays claim to being the world’s leading provider of meteorological decision systems to the offshore industry and is experiencing rapid growth in the more traditional shipping sector. In agreeing to work together on the development of leading edge software – with StormGeo taking a 15% stake in SIS, with an option to increase this in the future, and its chairman Erik Langaker becoming SIS’ non-executive chairman – the two companies are looking to have the first fruits of their partnership on the market within 12 months.
Detailed meteorological information and decisions already provide the shipping and offshore industries with crucial tools to safeguard people and equipment while operating in harsh conditions. However, SIS and StormGeo believe that this data becomes even more powerful when it is combined with operational data from engine management for handling events and initiating safety measures.
SIS chief executive Per Anders Koien says: ‘We see that our customers are facing new and more demanding requirements for safe operations from the authorities and their own customers. We also see that their activity is increasing in more demanding locations, such as Arctic areas. By combining machinery and operational performance information with weather forecasting we can help our customers to build a safer and more cost efficient operation.’
StormGeo chairman Erik Langaker observes: ‘We recognised that there could be an opportunity for StormGeo to integrate other software suppliers’ asset data with our more traditional meteorological forecasting and risk assessment models. The ultimate goal of our new relationship with SIS is to provide customers with an optimum decision platform for safe journeys and minimum fuel consumption. We hope to be able to take optimal voyage planning to a new and more sophisticated level – both on an individual vessel basis, as well as for large fleets servicing offshore and shipping segments.’
StormGeo’s Erik Langaker (left) and Star Information Systems CEO Per Anders Koien shake on last month’s deal.Extended network
SIS is expected to benefit from StormGeo’s extended network of office locations around the world – particularly Houston and Dubai.
StormGeo operates out of 12 offices in nine countries. SIS, meanwhile, is expanding its operations in Singapore and Brazil. For its part, StormGeo is looking to benefit from a SIS customer base of more than 1500 ships, as well as over 150 offshore units operating globally. Offshore clients include BW Offshore, COSL, Cotemar, Japan Drilling, Northern Offshore, Ocean Rig, Odebrecht, Petrofac and Seadrill.
In May this year, StormGeo, as part of a strategic move into the US market for meteorology and weather related services, acquired all outstanding shares of Houston-based ImpactWeather from Universal Weather & Aviation. The combined group now covers all geographic areas of the world on a 24/7 basis. Two years ago it acquired Swedish company Seaware, adding ship dynamics and performance expertise to the mix.
SIS has recently completed the installation of its Star Information & Planning System software package for Solstad Offshore’s fleet of 50 fully owned/jointly owned and leased vessels. The contract with Solstad Offshore also includes Star IPS functionality covering planned maintenance, guarantee claims, asset management, projects and document management.
Another large software upgrade project currently under way is for Dutch offshore contractor Van Oord’s 90-strong vessel fleet. OE
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