ABB’s Integrated Operations Center eyes connection to 3,000 ships by 2020

On Thursday, ABB launched its first IOC in Asia in the bustling maritime hub in Singapore, after similar facilities were opened in Europe’s Finland and Norway.

With the three interconnected IOC facilities at three separate locations, the ABB system currently connects around 600 ships globally, offering end-to-end integration from equipment to automation and from ship-to-shore.

And with a new US facility set to open later this year, the aim is to connect 3,000 ships by 2020, according to Mahesh Krishnappa, vice president marine and ports, process automation division at ABB. The US facility will be located either in Houston or Miami.

Krishnappa added that the company is also looking at the feasibility of establishing the IOC facility in China, in view of the huge Chinese maritime market, but the plan is still at an infant stage.

The IOC brings the internet of things to the marine industry, and can closely monitor vessels, optimising operations and delivering new levels of energy efficiency, productivity and fuel savings. It also allows for preventive monitoring, improved communications and information in emergencies.

On the opening of the Singapore facility, Johan De Villiers, managing director of ABB, pointed out that in Southeast Asia, in particular, the region is still in a “growth mode” amidst industry headwinds. The growing economy continues to demand basic infrastructure and robotics, and ABB will seek to preserve its presence in the region, he added.