RINA secures new Condition-Based Maintenance agreements

Genoa-based classification society RINA SPa, the operational company of Registro Italiano Navale, has teamed up with specialist certification services provider SPM Instrument SRL of Italy and the Italian Ship Research Centre CETENA to help cope with an increase in demand for Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) programmes by RINA clients.

Having issued new CBM rules and guidelines in 2008, RINA has introduced a number of new class notations this year for clients who implement RINA-approved CBM programmes in respect of specific items of onboard machinery and equipment. These cover not only installations critical to ship safety and operation, such as propulsion, electrical plant and fire detection systems, but also other items such as cargo equipment and air-conditioning systems, which are essential to the safe and efficient operation of ships.

Leading Italian tanker operator Finaval and international cruise specialist Costa Crociere are among those companies which have recently committed to implementing CBM programmes covering onboard machinery. SPM Instrument SRL has produced a programme in respect of rotating machinery on board the Finaval vessels Isola Bianca and Isola Blu and, in conjunction with CETENA, has done likewise on board the Costa Crociere cruiseship Costa Pacifica.

SPM Instrument SRL is a sister company of SPM Instrument AB, a leading service provider in the land-based and offshore sectors. With representation in almost sixty countries throughout the world, SPM is headquartered in Strängnäs, Sweden. SPM provides all technical, support and training services for onboard CBM. It has developed a product range which includes portable instruments, online systems and accessories specifically suited for shock pulse and vibration monitoring of rotating machinery such as pumps, fans, turbo-chargers, azipods, and electrical motors, to detect the likes of bearing failure, misalignment, and impeller, gear, and balance problems. SPM Instruments srl was the first company worldwide to have obtained, in October 2009, the RINA qualification as a CBM operator.

CETENA SpA is a company of the FINCANTIERI Group dedicated to research and consultancy in the naval and maritime field. The company is involved in Italian and international research programs and provides technical support to shipbuilders, shipowners, ship suppliers on a number ship design and ship operations issues. Since the nineties, CETENA has been involved in ship monitoring and has developed different monitoring systems aimed at hull structural safety, comfort of passengers, energy savings, fuel consumption and emission tracking. These systems have been installed both on passenger and naval vessels. Concerning CBM, CETENA has undertaken both national and international research and consultancy work for the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Navy.