OEEC: Meet Onboard, the maritime internet of things

The long awaited Offshore Energy Exhibition and Conference (OEEC) annually held in Amsterdam is just around the corner.

Apart from the exhibition and conference program, the event, celebrating its tenth anniversary,  will this year for the first time host a start-up zone, where 11 start-up companies will showcase their innovative products and ideas.

We have spoken to Florus Wilming, the co-founder of Onboard, one of the start-up companies to be in the Amsterdam RAI in the second week of October. Wilming founded Onboard together with his colleague Erwin Strik.

Describing the startup, Wilming said Onboard, based in Rotterdam, was the Internet of Things for the maritime systems.

“Onboard provides an open platform that facilitates connectivity between maritime systems and between people. It’s the Internet of Things. From sensors, to machines and systems on board, to crew, partners and the industry. Our platform hosts our own industrial applications that enable our customers to be in real-time control of their fleet and remain in control of their business,“ Wilming said.

Wilming is of the opinion that organizations can no longer afford to work alone, and that it’s time to rethink and revive the approach to sharing information.

He said: “Our platform is open to customers and partners so they can fully integrate their applications and internal systems. This offers all parties a new level of communication while helping them maintain controlled and secure access to underlying data sources.“

During the upcoming Offshore Energy Event in Amsterdam, some 12.000 offshore industry professionals are expected to attend, and Onboard hopes to meet and work together with the industry during the interactive sessions there.

“We hope to create partnerships between owners, operators, charterers, service companies and authorities, and with all stakeholders within these entities such as operation and technical management.”

Wilming said: “Onboard’s purpose is to excite the maritime business and create a new kind of collaboration. The one in which people work together, share ideas and knowledge, increase the value of this shared intelligence and work together some more. The Offshore Energy Exhibition and Conference is a great place to meet the people we want to do that with.“

First contract signed

Worth noting, Onboard has recently signed its first contract. The company in June said that KOTUG International BV would be the first customer using the Onboard platform.

Onboard will deliver its new Onboard Cloud Solution to connect four vessels of Kotug Seabulk Maritime (KSM), a joint venture between KOTUG International and Seabulk Towing Inc.

The platform’s connectivity application will provide KSM complete insight into their vessels’ operations. This includes a full report of every activity, vessel performance, fuel efficiency and tools to optimize it. The application will also give KSM total control over fleet planning.

The crew will be equipped with a bridge display and receive their planning from their on-shore site, as well as real-time feedback on their fuel efficiency. In addition, the crew will have the possibility to log and communicate all their operational activities with their colleagues on shore.

To learn more about Onboard, follow this link: https://contactonboard.com

OEEC is one of Europe’s leading offshore energy events. It is unique in bringing together the oil & gas, offshore wind and marine energy industry. With the industry in transition, OEEC offers offshore energy professionals the ideal meeting place to network, discuss and learn about the future of energy. OEEC 2017 will be held at Amsterdam RAI on October 9, 10, 11, 2017.