Valmet DNA provides a single view of a vessel’s sub-systems

Valmet DNA, an integrated automation system, offers comprehensive marine automation for reliable operations.

“Valmet DNA for marine combines all different sub-processes and areas on the ship into one common control room,” says Lars Edin Svaasand, Product and Development Manager, Marine, Valmet.

Sub-processes such as bilge, ballast, pumps, ventilation, electrical power production including hybrid arrangements, and all machinery
areas are combined into a common platform where they can be controlled and monitored in one location.

//For hybrid power production systems, the automation system is an integrator between the different system components and local
controllers. It will ensure a safe approach to the overall control and monitoring of operation modes and the transition between.//

All data collected from various I/O devices is automatically recorded and stored in the system. It is stored on a server where the data can
be analyzed with trends or reports. Additionally, the data can be exported and analyzed with applications connected to Valmet DNA or outside the system.

“Typically, we deliver systems with data availability for a minimum of one year. Additional events, like alarm messages or operator tracking events, are also stored,” says Per Syvertsen, Manager, Sales Support, Marine Automation, Valmet.

“There is also a set of user tools so that users or operators can access different kinds of analyses of alarms, events, and all data. If you have a shore connection, you can send the data onshore,” Syvertsen explains.

The main benefit for shipowners and operators investing in Valmet DNA is the ability to collect all different subsystems into one dashboard, providing a comprehensive overview of the total vessel machinery.

“Another benefit is, of course, when you have a shipwide automation system, maintenance of the system becomes easier,” Svaasand says.
Valmet DNA was originally designed for big paper mills and large facilities. Therefore, the system can handle large amounts of data with
high reliability.

“We have a high degree of redundancy, which is part of the basic platform architecture, I would say. And since we are designing this by
ourselves, we are not using any third-party I/O devices, controllers or user interface software. We also have a high focus on backwards compatibility when we are introducing new features and components,” Syvertsen says.

For the shipowner, a very important issue is the lifecycle support that will continue for decades. The ship lifecycle is 30 years, so it might
be good if the system has a couple of upgrades, but the applications can be usable for the whole ship lifecycle. The Valmet DNA system
is the same on different kinds of ships, such as tankers, military vessels, cruisers, and ROPAX vessels.

From the vessel lifecycle point of view, Valmet supplies system and application support, including mid-life upgrades.

“Once every 10 years, some kind of major upgrade is done. So, we will upgrade the control room, process controllers, system communication network, and applications if needed,” Svaasand says.

The cybersecurity demands of the customer increase during the lifecycle of the vessel or system. Then Valmet increases the cybersecurity protection of the systems. One way to do this is to maintain an asset inventory of the ship.

“We record all hardware and applications we have delivered. For example, what kind of PC and what kind of operating system that PC has.
And we create lifecycle plans for the vessels.” All interfaces are, of course, protected.

“We create what is called a demilitarized zone for the office part of the system. This creates a barrier against outside connections. We
put all data services that are accessible for outside connections in this zone.”

“We have an edge barrier between our DNA system and DMZ and then DMZ to the outside world. Inside this DMZ, you can, for instance, use Microsoft Office tools if you need. But never inside the automation system itself,” Svaasand concludes.”