In the maritime industry, unplanned downtime and costly repairs can severely impact operations. Predictive maintenance is an advanced maintenance strategy that leverages data and analytics to detect potential failures before they occur – enabling proactive decision-making and minimizing unexpected disruptions.
Track and manage maintenance across your fleet with SERTICA Maintenance >
Introducing predictive maintenance on ships
The purpose of predictive maintenance is to determine the optimal time to perform maintenance. Rather than performing maintenance at fixed intervals, predictive maintenance continuously monitors onboard equipment using real-time and historical data. This includes:
- Sensor data from machinery (e.g., vibration, temperature, and pressure)
- Operational parameters from IoT systems
- Historical maintenance logs and spare part usage
By identifying deviations from normal conditions, shipping companies can act before a breakdown occurs. This method improves asset reliability, reduces unnecessary maintenance, and ensures the vessel operates efficiently and safely.
Why predictive maintenance matters on ships
The maritime industry is increasingly data-driven. Vessels are equipped with smart sensors and integrated systems that feed valuable data into centralized platforms. This data forms the foundation for predictive maintenance – where real-time insights enable shipowners and operators to maintain peak performance across the fleet.
Key benefits of maritime predictive maintenance include:
- Minimizing downtime through early detection of anomalies
- Reducing crew workload and unnecessary maintenance
- Extending equipment lifespan by avoiding over-maintenance
- Lowering operational costs by optimizing resource allocation
Modern predictive maintenance goes beyond traditional time-based planning. It uses machine learning algorithms to model asset behavior and predict optimal maintenance windows based on actual usage and performance.
The role of maritime IoT sensors in predictive maintenance
IoT sensors play a pivotal role in enabling predictive maintenance. IoT sensors embedded in shipboard systems continuously collect and transmit data for analysis. These include:
- Engine room sensors measuring temperature, vibration, and pressure
- Environmental sensors tracking humidity, load, and weather impact
- Software platforms like SERTICA Performance to analyze and act on data insights
This real-time connectivity enables automatic alerts, anomaly detection, and smarter maintenance planning, leading to greater efficiency and enhanced regulatory compliance.
How SERTICA connects with maritime IoT
SERTICA supports integration with IoT technologies by collecting sensor data directly into its Maintenance System and Performance Monitoring System. This enables:
- Automated creation of maintenance jobs based on sensor data
- Real-time counter readings linked to asset performance
- Seamless alignment between onboard equipment data and onshore planning
With SERTICA, maritime IoT becomes a practical tool for:
- Increasing vessel uptime
- Reducing manual reporting
- Improving compliance with data-driven documentation
Besides data from IoT sensors, predictive maintenance strategies also include analytics, condition monitoring, and machine learning models. Together, these elements provide shipping companies with a structured way to transform raw data into reliable, actionable maintenance decisions.
How predictive maintenance differs from preventive maintenance
Although both preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance aim to reduce equipment failure, their methods and suitability differ.
Preventive maintenance remains widely used in shipping, particularly for standard components and regulatory compliance, where predictable routines are required. Predictive maintenance, on the other hand, builds on this foundation by applying IoT data and analytics for more dynamic decision-making.
With predictive maintenance, maintenance is only performed when data indicates an emerging issue – allowing the crew to focus on actual needs and avoid costly or redundant tasks.
Learn how to leverage data with counters and measurements in this webinar >
Benefits of implementing predictive maintenance on ships
By adopting a predictive maintenance strategy, shipping companies can achieve measurable improvements in operational efficiency, safety, and cost control. The main benefits include:
Improve reliability and uptime
Predictive models help maintain optimal conditions for engines, pumps, and other critical machinery – reducing the likelihood of failures during voyages.
Save costs and optimize spare part use
By targeting only necessary interventions, the method eliminates waste in time, labor, and spare parts. Over time, this leads to significant cost savings.
Extend equipment life and reduce wear
Keeping machinery in good condition through timely maintenance ensures a longer operational life, maximizing return on investment.
Empower the crew with smart task planning
With better insights, the crew can prioritize their workload, reduce emergency repairs, and avoid reactive maintenance under pressure.
Watch this short video demonstration and learn how SERTICA Maintenance can improve your maintenance planning:
Getting started with predictive maintenance in the maritime industry
Implementing a successful predictive maintenance maritime strategy requires more than just technology. It involves:
- A defined data strategy by identifying key assets and data points
- Training personnel to interpret data and act accordingly
- Advanced tools and using platforms like SERTICA Performance to collect real-time data from systems and sensors onboard
- A Ship Maintenance System like SERTICA Maintenance to create jobs when counters or sensor data reach thresholds
- Continuous improvement by refining models with new data and feedback
Although the journey to full-scale predictive maintenance may take time, the return on investment is substantial. With a strategic approach, maritime companies can future-proof their operations, reduce maintenance risks, and gain a competitive edge.
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Why choose SERTICA for predictive maintenance?
The challenge for many shipping companies is not collecting data, but using it effectively. Predictive maintenance requires translating counters, sensor readings, and historical records into clear, actionable tasks.
With SERTICA Fleet, you gain this advantage. By combining data from several sources such as SERTICA Performance and SERTICA Maintenance, the platform provides one central overview where you can both monitor KPIs and manage maintenance activities. This integration ensures:
- Identifying equipment operating outside established limits
- Translating performance insights into maintenance jobs and schedules when thresholds are reached
- Providing a fleet-wide overview of equipment condition and upcoming work
Watch this short demonstration of how SERTICA Fleet can simplify your data management:
Instead of working in separate systems, you can detect problems, evaluate their impact, and plan the right maintenance — all within one platform.
SERTICA Fleet turns your data into action and simplifies the path to predictive maintenance, supporting smarter, data-driven decision-making across your fleet.
