Oil drilling and extraction platforms are currently being used in many offshore areas around the world. Whilst those operating in shallow seas are secured to the seabed, for deeper water operations, Dynamic Positioning (DP) is essential for the platforms to maintain their position within a safe zone. Operating DP requires intelligent and reliable control systems. Nearly all DP accidents have been caused by a combination of technical and human failures; however, according to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) DP Incidents Analysis, DP control and thruster system failures have been the leading causes of incidents over the last ten years. This paper will investigate potential operational improvements for DP system accuracy by adding a Predictive Neural Network (PNN) control algorithm in the thruster allocation along with a nonlinear Proportional Integral derivative (PID) motion control system. A DP system’s performance on a drilling platform in oil and gas deep-water fields and subject to real weather conditions is simulated with these advanced control methods. The techniques are developed for enhancing the safety and reliability of DP operations to improve the positioning accuracy, which may allow faster response to a critical situation during DP drilling operations. The semisubmersible drilling platform’s simulation results using the PNN strategy show improved control of the platform’s positioning.

The LNG maritime industry started to anticipate offshore LNG production in tandem with increasing demand for FLNG platforms as offshore gas resources were developed further. The rapid expansion of FLNG deployment demands equipment and procedures that handle challenges associated with weight and space constraints. The chemical composition of LNG will result in slightly fewer CO₂ emissions. While not significant, another crucial aspect is that LNG predominantly comprises methane, which is acknowledged as a greenhouse gas and is more harmful than CO₂. This requires investigation into clean energy fuel supply for power generation systems, carbon emissions from the process, and thermodynamic analysis and optimisation. Focus on supplying fuel for FLNG power generation to reduce the essential management of boil-off fuel gas, which can be researched on the direct reforming method of hydrogen as a marine fuel gas to support the power generation system. The principal reason for choosing hydrogen over other energy sources is its exceptional energy-to-mass ratio (H/C ratio). The most effective method for hydrogen production is the methane reforming process, recognised for generating significant quantities of hydrogen. To optimise the small-scale plant with a carbon capture system (CCS) as integrated into the reforming process to produce blue hydrogen fuel with zero carbon emissions, this research selection focuses on two alternative processes: steam methane reforming (SMR) and autothermal reforming (ATR). Furthermore, the research article will contribute to other floating production platforms, such as FPSOs and FSRUs, and will be committed to clean energy policies that mandate the support of green alternatives in substitution of hydrocarbon fuel utilisation.

Global carbon emissions are driving the maritime industry toward cleaner fuels, with LNG already established as a transitional option that reduces SOx, NOx, and particulate emissions relative to conventional marine fuels and in line with decarbonisation strategies. This research aimed to explore the transition of offshore and marine platforms from conventional marine fuels to cleaner alternatives, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) emerging as the principal transitional fuel. Subsequently, floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) platforms are increasingly being deployed to harness offshore gas resources, yet they face critical challenges related to weight, space, and energy efficiency. The study proposes pathways for transitioning FLNG energy systems from LNG to zero-carbon fuels, such as hydrogen derived directly from LNG resources, to optimise fuel supply under the unique operational constraints of FLNG units. The work unifies the independent domains of pure-fuel and blending-fuel processes for LNG and hydrogen, viewed in the context of thermodynamic processes, to optimise hydrogen–LNG co-firing gas turbine performance and meet the base power line of 50 MW. Furthermore, the research article will contribute to the development of other floating production platforms, such as FPSOs and FSRUs. It will be committed to clean energy policies that mandate support for green alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels.

In this study, we propose a framework using Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) for prediction of the reliability of Dynamic Positioning sub-systems for computation of Dynamic Positioning Reliability Index (DP-RI). The Dynamic Positioning (DP) system is complex with significant levels of integration between many subsystems such as the Reference System, DP Control System, Thruster /

Purpose: The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) embodies standards of existing international maritime labour conventions and recommendations, as well as the fundamental principles to be found in other international labour conventions. The aim of the convention is to address the employment standards of seafarers in the areas of fair wages, contractual terms, working and living conditions, as well as their health and safety on board ships. The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth study of MLC Regulation 3.1, specifically on the layout design of the accommodation spaces and possible solutions to meet the new demands as those will certainly affect the crew comfort, health and well-being on board ships. Design/methodology/approach: The approach used includes a review of pre- and post-MLC conventions and regulations. This is then followed by looking at the impact of MLC Regulation 3.1 on new ship design. Possible solutions for new ship design are then proposed. Findings: The findings from the paper were as follows: More flexibility in the form of non-mandatory guidelines and substantial equivalence under MLC. Under MLC, only Special Purpose Ship (SPS) is allowed to accommodate four persons in one room. The requirement for increased height and floor spaces would result in increased gross register tons (GT) for post-MLC built vessels. Impact due to post-MLC requirements would be more unfavourable for the design of smaller vessels below 500 GT than of bigger vessels of up to less than 3,000 GT. Possible solutions include applying for exemptions and substantial equivalents with flag states or registering with a non-ratifying flag state. Originality/value: This paper has been based on a dissertation carried out for the partial fulfilment of a post-graduate degree. It has not been published in any journal.