METE is a service product launched by CCS in 2007 on the basis of traditional classification services, which aims to improve the level of ship safety operation and management, provide value-added services to core customers, and attract and develop potential customers.

Based on the analysis and summary of the frequently encountered problems by ship management companies in the daily inspection, maintenance and repair of operating ships, and combined with modern data information analysis and management methods, METE aims to better meet the actual needs of ship management companies. METE consists of four elements:

1) 3D Modeling Based Planned Maintenance Schemes for Hull (Maintenance)

2) Goal Oriented Structural Strength Evaluation for Hull (Evaluation)

3) Training on Hull Structure Inspection and Maintenance (Training)

4) CCS Emergency Response Service (CCS-ERS)

The combination of English initials of the above four items is "METE", which as a word also has the meaning of evaluation and measuring.

Through the effective operation of the complete service system (i.e. the "METE Plan") composed of the above four items, the ship management company can keep abreast of the hull structure condition of the fleet and make timely maintenance plans to ensure the safety of the hull structure.

I. 3D Modeling Based Planned Maintenance Scheme for Hull (Maintenance)

With the increasing prominence of ship safety issues and PSC inspections, the inspection and maintenance of hull structures receive ever greater attention from various parties. Planned inspection and maintenance of the ship's hull structure and equipment can provide a comprehensive and accurate grasp of the ship's structural condition, properly track and deal with the ship's defects, formulate scientific and reasonable repair plans, reduce the possibility of unplanned repairs affecting the normal operation of the ship, fundamentally reducing the risk of the ship's operation process and increasing the company's confidence in the ship's safety standard and reliability.

"METE 3DM ship inspection and maintenance management system" is a part of CCS METE series service products, which is based on 3D ship model and provides auxiliary support functions for shipping companies, classification societies and thickness measurement organizations to carry out inspection and maintenance of ship hull structure.

System characteristics

1. Simple operation and friendly interface

     The system meets the management requirements of the Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and conforms to the working habits of CWBT, and users can quickly master the system's operation after simple training.

     Users can easily operate and manage the 3D model of a ship through intuitive processing.

2. Comprehensive grasp of ship conditions

     With the help of 3D models, users can visually query the structural details of the hull. From the smallest board beam to the largest cabin structure size, maintenance records and repair status, all of them can be entered and browsed through the system, which is convenient and intuitive.

     Managers can grasp the hull structure and coating condition of the fleet at any time, meeting the needs of ship management companies for refined management.

3. Operational inspection guidance based on expert experience

     According to the customer's requirements, CCS provides customized fleet hull maintenance system services and assists in supervising the implementation of the system.

     Based on the results of the structural strength assessment and the inspection and repair history of the hull, CCS identifies the key locations for the structural inspection of the hull and provides the user with an intuitive and convenient inspection and maintenance manual with the help of 3D technology. The system can easily generate the inspection work order and print out the assessment report with pictures and texts.

4. Common platform for shipping companies, classification societies, and thickness measurement agencies.

     Shipping companies can share the classification society's inspection results to fully grasp the ship's condition.

     Classification societies and shipping companies can conveniently query, count and analyze the thickness measurement data.

System functions

1. Planned inspection and maintenance

     Based on the structural condition of the hull and the maintenance system required by the ship's class and statutory inspection, the software guides the crew to perform daily maintenance checks to avoid unplanned repairs affecting the normal operation of the ship.

     It can formulate a voyage maintenance plan for PSC inspection to reduce the risk of stranded PSC.

     It can effectively track and manage the implementation of the maintenance plan.

2. Inspection of cabin structure and coating condition

     Customizable ballast tank and cargo tank structure and coating inspection program ensures the timely detection of hull structure and coating defects, and follow-up management of subsequent maintenance and repair.

     The system automatically generates the structure and coating condition checklist for the crew to carry out targeted inspections.

     3D model-based structure and coating condition map display automatically generates a detailed and illustrated inspection result report for a clear view of the ship's structure condition.

3. Ship defect and damage records

     The software enables a detailed record of the hull structural defects and damage information, ship-shore automatic synchronization of damage information, and tracking of the treatment of defects.

     It helps the crew keep abreast of hull structural damage and make repair plans in advance.

4. Painting and paint inventory management

     Develop painting maintenance plans for decks, outboards, superstructures, and other structures.

     Track the implementation of the painting plan, record daily painting data and estimate paint usage.

     Monitor the implementation of the painting plan based on a 3D cloud map.

     Provide comprehensive management of paint supply, consumption and other data, easy to track inventory.

II. Goal Oriented Structural Strength Evaluation for Hull (Evaluation)

Structural strength is one of the most important aspects of ship safety, and among the shipwrecks in recent years, apart from human factors and bad weather, a considerable percentage of shipwrecks were caused by insufficient structural strength or structural damage to the hull. Therefore, the structural strength of ships, especially large and old ships, has aroused the general concern of the shipping industry.

As a shipping company, it is vital to keep track of the structural strength status of its fleet of ships to maintain the company's safe operating level.

Through structural strength assessments, the user can:

     Assess the structural condition of ships based on build dimensions and latest thickness measurements.

     Provide a reference for engine/crew when maintaining, servicing and repairing ships.

     Guide the maintenance technicians / ship crew to inspect the hull structure.

     Provide a reference for corrosion control during ship operations.

     Accumulation of technical expertise and provide a reference for shipowners to develop and select ship types in the future.

1. An in-depth reading of structural design and features

As part of the assessment, an in-depth reading and analysis of the structural design of the subject is undertaken to understand the structural design approach and thereby analyze its strengths and weaknesses;

     structural layout and its laws;

     material usage – material types and distribution;

     assessment and analysis of the characterization of the location of the structure of the assessment area.

Structural interpretation and analysis also provides shipowners with in-depth structural consulting information, which helps shipowners to have an in-depth understanding of the characteristics and conditions of the target vessel and the entire fleet, thus helping to arrange reasonable inspection, maintenance and operation.

2. Provide reference for use, maintenance and repair of ships

After comprehensive calculations and analysis, it will be possible to identify potential weaknesses and possible problems within the life cycle of a particular ship. At the same time, based on the results of the evaluation of build dimensions and thickness measurements, the original loading pattern will be improved or limited accordingly to ensure that the total longitudinal and local strengths meet the service requirements during the ship's operation.

Through calculations and analysis, areas of insufficient structural strength or high stress levels are identified and recommended to shipowners and crews for priority attention in their daily inspection/maintenance plans.

As a professional ship inspection organization, CCS has perfect calculation software and leading finite element analysis tools in the industry for the calculation and analysis of the structural strength of ships.

3. According to the characteristics of different ship types, structural strength assessment and ship type studies mainly include the following elements:

     Strength evaluation and analysis of structural code.

     Calculation and analysis of direct strength with structural finite element method.

     Fatigue strength assessment.

     Strength evaluation of real ship structure.

III. Training on Hull Structure Inspection and Maintenance (Training)

Due to vessel development trends there is an increase in the size and number of large ships and a consequent increase in the size of the crew, the human factor is attracting more and more attention from IMO and shipping companies who urgently require crew members and engine operators to acquire certain knowledge of ship structure and maintenance.

Through many years of theoretical research and inspection practice, CCS has prepared a series of training materials with reference to the current situation of shipping and the key points of port state inspection, in order to meet the work demands and fit the characteristics of the crew and engine services. As part of the teaching coursework in this series, the training on hull structure inspection, maintenance and repair includes the basic knowledge of hull structure, the key points of structure inspection and the handling of defects, etc. The coursework has been compiled to emulate the actual situation of the engine service and crew, and is easy to understand and effective in helping crew members master the control standards of hull structure inspection and repair.

The training on hull structure inspe’sction, maintenance and repair is conducive to improving the level of inspection, maintenance/servicing of the vessel by the crew and engine services, thus improving the safety level of the ship operation.

Training contents include:

Knowledge of hull structure

     Basic knowledge of hull structure.

     Knowledge of hull structure details and strength.

     Ship stability knowledge.

     Classification and judgment standard of hull structure defects.

     Key points of hull structure inspection and defect treatment.

     Key points and quality control of routine repair.

     Standardized description of hull structure damage.

     Basic certificate systems and surveys of ships.

Training is provided mainly in the form of lectures, supplemented by computer multimedia materials.

IV. CCS Emergency Response Service (CCS-ERS)

Emergency Response Service (ERS) means that, for ships that are included in the emergency response database, with related information on stability and structural strength, and the ship owner / manager has signed an ERS agreement in advance with the classification society, can get emergency response assistance. In cases where a vessel has suffered a collision at sea, grounding, oil spill, or other accident, then upon the request for assistance from the manager or owner, a permanent shore-based emergency response agency, part of the classification society, will quickly assemble, activate the ship's emergency response database, provide calculations and analyses including breakage stability, residual strength, oil spill, etc. as required by the shipowner/ship management company. The ERS team can also provide round-the-clock technical support throughout the emergency to assist with the successful assistance to a ship in danger, and provide advisory services to inform the final decision of the master/owner/ship management company.

In an emergency situation, the best measures to save the crew, cargo and actions to protect the environment are not always obvious. Improper handling of cabin water and oil spills caused by collisions, groundings, fires, explosions or bad weather can make the situation worse. At sea, crews and their managers need accurate technical information to mitigate the damaging effects of an accident as quickly as possible. In such cases, a comprehensive assessment of the ship's stability and total longitudinal strength is essential. Exactly for the above-mentioned reasons, CCS-ERS has been established to provide this technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

CCS-ERS functions include:

    1. Fracture stability and floatation analysis;

    2. Residual total longitudinal strength analysis;

    3. Stranding stability and total longitudinal strength analysis;

    4. Damage and oil spill assessment;

    5. Assessment of the stability of the integrity of the firefighting decks of passenger ships;

    6. Provide emergency treatment recommendations to maintain minimum stability and safe hull strength.

For more information, please contact:

METE Project Team of China Classification Society

Tel: 0086-10-58112058

Mailbox:scs@ccs.org.cn