Laros

Engineers at PRISMA Electronics built Laros in 2010, with input from naval architects and data scientists, as a wireless monitoring and performance analysis system for ships. Its site describes it as the first wireless monitoring system used onboard merchant vessels, and says it has since been used on more than 700 vessels. Earlier material counted 250 installations and mentioned a Lloyd's award for technical achievement. The company's stated mission is to give shipping organisations an accurate data collection platform for multi-dimensional performance analysis, moving them towards maritime business intelligence.

How data gets from the engine room to the office

The system is built from hardware and software. Smart collectors installed on the vessel gather synchronised signals from sensors, measuring devices, instruments and control systems, over a wireless network. The collectors work on a plug-and-play principle and are configured remotely, so the network can be extended quickly. The data is sent wirelessly and in real time to the shore office without manual intervention, where it is organised, filtered and prepared for analysis using data mining and machine learning. The data collection module can also be taken on its own to feed other software a shipping company already uses, such as ERP or planned maintenance systems.

Analysis and key performance indicators

LAROS DAS is the analysis software. It displays technical and operational indicators as multi-dimensional time series, parameter against parameter, interactive maps and statistical views, with data filtering and dashboards. A library of ready-made indicators covers engine performance, fuel oil consumption and route optimisation, and users can create custom indicators from their own parameters.

Fuel, emissions and regulation

The company argues that unreliable fleet data costs shipping companies a few percent of their fuel consumption. Its site presents validated fuel and emissions data as the basis for decarbonisation and for reporting under IMO DCS, EU MRV and CII rules. A companion platform, PHAROS, is named for this purpose.

Installation, support and advice around the system

Laros offers installation and commissioning, support and maintenance, and advisory and consulting work, plus a knowledge area with resources and downloads. The site groups its pitch around digitalisation, decarbonisation and diversification.

Laros is a maritime data system that collects operating data from ships wirelessly and turns it into performance analysis for shipping companies. The LAROS system is designed to fit any vessel regardless of its age, size or type, and it moves shipping operators towards maritime business intelligence.

What Laros does

• Data collection: wireless smart collectors that gather signals from sensors and instruments on board, configured remotely.
• Performance analysis software: LAROS DAS software with dashboards, customised reports and efficiency measures for the fleet.
• Data transmission and processing: data sent in real time to shore, then organised and prepared for analysis.
• Installation and support: installation and commissioning, maintenance and support, and advisory consulting.
• Fuel and emissions data: validated fuel and emissions data for IMO DCS, EU MRV and CII reporting.

Clients

Shipping companies and fleet operators.

Key facts

• System developed: 2010, by PRISMA Electronics engineers
• Vessels served: more than 700, according to its website
• Reporting: IMO DCS, EU MRV and CII regulations