ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic System（ABB）

ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic System (RDS) is a remote diagnostics solution designed to monitor marine equipment and support vessel operations from shore. Using secure satellite communications, it enables faster troubleshooting and continuous technical support when issues occur. By connecting onboard systems with ABB’s shore-based experts, RDS helps shipowners and operators maintain safer, more reliable operations at sea.

What You Will Learn in This Article

1. Strengths: How RDS enables remote support, faster troubleshooting, and condition monitoring through secure satellite communications.
2. Benefits of Implementation: How it can help reduce maintenance costs and onboard service visits while supporting safety and lower CO₂ emissions.
3. Companies That May Benefit: Shipowners, vessel operators, and ship management companies operating vessels in harsh environments or managing passenger vessels where rapid response to unexpected failures is critical.

Key Features of RDS

Improved Uptime and Enhanced Safety

RDS collects data from across the propulsion chain and creates a cloud-based “digital replica” of the vessel’s electrical system. ABB experts can then use this data to run simulations, review trends, and support technical analysis from shore.

This makes it easier to investigate potential faults and identify root causes quickly, helping crews and operators take appropriate action without waiting for a technician to board the vessel. By reducing repair time and helping prevent unplanned equipment downtime, RDS supports safer and more continuous vessel operations.

Significant Cost Reduction

By using a predictive approach to identify equipment issues and maintenance needs earlier, RDS can help reduce the burden of reactive maintenance. According to ABB, shipowners and operators may be able to reduce maintenance costs by up to 50%. Physical onboard attendance by specialist engineers can also be reduced by up to 70%, helping companies make better use of limited technical resources.

Lifecycle Management and Reduced Environmental Impact

Because RDS is based on remote data collection and equipment monitoring, it can help reduce CO₂ emissions by limiting the need for technician travel. The operational data collected over time can also support long-term electrical system performance improvement and more accurate maintenance planning.

Core Functionalities

• Rapid fault finding through high-sampling-rate data collection
• Cloud data storage and trend analysis by ABB technical experts
• Fleet Intelligence: interactive dashboards that provide detailed insights into operational data
• Weekly system reviews by experts at ABB’s Collaborative Operations Center

Scalability and Future Potential

RDS is a fully modular system. Depending on operational requirements, companies can add functions such as Fleet Intelligence and system security update services. ABB is also advancing the use of analytical algorithms and predictive analytics to support faster and more reliable remote assistance in the future.

Compliance with Industry-Specific Regulations and Standards

As the maritime industry works to meet environmental regulations related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, operators need clearer visibility into vessel performance and equipment condition. RDS supports continuous operational monitoring and efficiency improvement by making operational data and system status easier to understand. Through these capabilities, it can help companies support more sustainable vessel operations.

Pricing and Plans

RDS is available in two service levels: Preventive Light and Preventive. Both include 24/7 technical support, standard monitoring, data consistency checks, and remote services as standard. Additional services can be added within the Preventive Light level as needed, but companies should contact ABB directly for a detailed quotation.

Use Cases

ABB’s related technologies are being adopted in next-generation vessels designed for more sustainable operations.

• Clean-energy vessels: Samskip’s hydrogen-fueled container ships and hybrid-electric passenger ferries operating in the Baltic Sea
• Exploration and research vessels: PONANT polar expedition cruise ships and Chinese polar research vessels
• Specialized industrial vessels: Eneti’s next-generation offshore wind turbine installation vessels and CO₂ carriers for the Northern Lights project

Support and After-Sales Service

RDS is supported by ABB’s 24/7 Care Technical Support. When an incident occurs, ABB’s global technical support network can coordinate with experts at its Collaborative Operations Centers. Through online support and related services, ABB provides faster troubleshooting and round-the-clock technical assistance.

Company Overview

• Company name: ABB Ltd
• Location: 22F ThinkPark Tower, 2-1-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: +81-3-4523-6170
• Official website: https://new.abb.com/jp