12th International Conference on Computer and IT Applications in the Maritime Industries

Traditionally, design and operation of ships and offshore structures have been based on experience. This is still true to some extent, but increasingly we rely on “virtual experience” from dedicated simulations. Scope and depth of these simulations guiding our decisions have developed very dynamically over the past decade. In previous publications, we have focussed on the technical aspects of simulations, Bertram and Couser (2007), Bertram (2009a,b),Peric and Bertram (2011) . In the present paper, we want to focus instead on the benefits of simulations from the customer’s point of view. The “customer” may be the designer, builder or operator of an offshore installation, or any subcontractor, i.e. any business unit outsourcing services based on the special competence of simulation experts. From a customer perspective, simulations serve to support business processes through • Ensuring low environmental impact • Ensuring high availability / utilisation • Promoting innovative designs and procedures • Ensuring compliance These items are discussed in the following sections in the context of offshore installations and their supporting fleet of ships for installation, maintenance and supply.