SIS secures 30 ship software contract with Farstad Shipping ASA

The total contract will result in a comprehensive management software solution for Farstad’s global-wide operation of 43 AHTS supply and PSV vessels and office administration. 

The contract’s first phase involves delivery of SIS systems for maintenance, purchasing, document management, events, information and planning, budgeting and cost control, and insurance on board Farstad’s 27 existing vessels and 1 newbuilding. The contract also covers 2 vessels operated by Farstad, but owned by P/R International Offshore Services ANS (IOS), a joint venture between Farstad and P&O, Australia.

SIS technology, supporting a comprehensive integrated fleet management system and unified, adaptable worldwide standard, met Farstad’s selection criteria and was a main reason for being chosen over several competing vendors.

"With a SIS solution we can link fleet management operations and eliminate a large source of data integrity problems and unproductive time. We are replacing existing systems with high-performance SIS products to increase fleet functionality and global office to office, ship to ship, and ship to office communication, said Helge Warholm, purchasing manager and project leader, Farstad Shipping ASA.

Says Warholm: "Not only is SIS software a perfect fit for key ship management activities where it is known for flexibility, reliability, and performance, but it also supports manageable software aimed to reduce costs associated to repair, maintenance, off-hire, administration, and supplies."

Star Information and Planning System is an administrative system used to improve economy through better planning, control and analysis. It is also an administrative instrument to follow up the requirements according to ISM and the quality assurance required through ISO 9000.

"In developing fleet management software we realize that no two shipping companies are the same," said Per Anders Koien, Managing Director, SIS. "The requirements of each organisation vary, but all shipping companies want to manage their business accurately and efficiently. Our goal is to provide shipping companies with modern technology enabling easy and efficient connecting, managing and tracking of key information important to their day to day operation and long-term business responsibility."

Serving global clients and cooperating with business partners experiencing increasing e-commerce, finance and technology demands, Farstad searched for several customisation and organisational features prior to making its final software choice. Star fleet management systems could provide several modules critical to specific demands within Farstad’s management loop: Star Event, SISCommerce and Star Insurance.

"SIS technology promises to bring increased integration of data to and from the total management loop (ship > office > suppliers > office > ship). Products like Star Event, Star Insurance and SISCommerce help ensure more-accurate management planning and control," said Warholm.

Designed to report events in accordance to company and statutory requirements, Star Event logs and distributes rapid information about accidents, near accidents and non-conformities to fleet managers and key shore-based personnel. Star Event provides technical data vital for event analysis and is an important source when compiling and distributing pertinent information and lessons learned to fleet and shore managers.

With Star Insurance, companies can simultaneously link all information related to their insurance policies and claims. The module assists marine insurance managers in keeping track of insurance policies, premium payments and claim estimates, settlements, costs and reimbursements.

SIS’ familiar Windows interface makes e-procurement easy to implement. SISCommerce takes care of data interchange between buyers and vendors and is designed for easy transmission of request for quotes, quotes, quotes responses, purchase orders and order confirmations.

"We are evaluating SISCommerce, but most likely we’ll utilise this e-procurement software at a later stage in the project," said Warholm. Farstad’s head office is in Aalesund and the shares are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Presently the company’s vessels are operating outside of Norway, Brazil, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. In addition to Aalesund the company’s activities are managed from Aberdeen in Scotland and Macae in Brazil with altogether 55 employees. The vessels in the Far East and Australia are operated by P&O Maritime Services in Melbourne. The total number of sailors is approx. 1000. The company has placed an additional two newbuilding orders at Norwegian shipyard Simek for delivery 2003.