A COMPUTERISED warning system designed for ships by North-East researchers is set to revolutionise the global maritime industry and save it millions of pounds over the coming years.

The Posseidon system, a software programme which can continually monitor a ship’s lubricated oil system, is being hailed as a massive breakthrough in the shipping industry, one which can prolong the life of a ship’s engine, decrease the need for repairs, and raise standards in safety.

Researchers at the University of Sunderland’s automotive and manufacturing advanced practice (Amap) department have developed a system which will allow crew on board to predict any deterioration or contamination in the oil and to anticipate problems, and allowing them to take action before damage or failure occurs.

And the team is now looking how it can extend its revolutionary software into renewable energy, such as wind power.

While ship engine rooms have become increasingly automated over the past years, with sensor systems being put in place to monitor temperature, pressure, fluid level and flow monitoring, no solution has been found to manage levels of lubricated oil until now.

The unit is a black box attached to the ship’s main engine and the software which monitors the oil acts as a traffic light system, warning crews if there is a potential problem and even providing solutions on how best to tackle it.

Dr David Baglee, who led the three-and-a-half year project alongside Dr Mike Knowles, believes the technology also has major environmental and ecological benefits in reducing the risk of oil spills at sea if a ship is at risk of breaking down.

He said: “This has been a fantastic project, especially as this is the first time Amap’s been involved in a project with the marine industry.

“The Posseidon proposal is hopefully, finally, an idea whose time has come.

“It’s been exciting and the possibilities for this software are endless.

“We are even looking at adapting it for multi-use in other industries, such as wind power.”

The Posseidon project also included major shipping companies such as Fundacion Tekniker, BP Marine, OelCheck, Martechnic, International Mercantile Marine, Rina and IB Krates. It was funded by the EU as part of Framework Programme 6.