Introduction

The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting safe, sustainable, and cleaner marine fuels across the maritime industry. Working with ship owners, regulators, shipbuilders, and fuel suppliers, SGMF is at the forefront of setting safety and environmental standards for gas as a marine fuel. However, as their safety zone calculation tool began to age, they realised it needed a substantial upgrade to meet modern industry demands. That’s when Fluff Software stepped in, not only to modernise the tool but to align it with SGMF’s mission of advancing best practices in maritime safety.

The Challenge

SGMF’s original tool was a pioneering solution in marine fuel safety, calculating safety zones around fuel containment based on critical variables such as pressure, temperature, LNG quality, and local weather conditions. However, over the years, as regulatory requirements tightened and real-time data became essential, the tool's reliance on manual data entry and Excel-based calculations became increasingly cumbersome.

Challenges Identified:

• Manual Data Entry: The tool’s dependence on manual data entry increased the risk of errors, slowing down processes and impacting data accuracy.
• Outdated Processing: Relying on Excel limited the tool’s responsiveness and scalability, creating bottlenecks that delayed critical calculations.
• Compliance Needs: With evolving safety regulations, SGMF’s tool needed to adapt swiftly to maintain industry standards and credibility.
• Heavy Administrative Burden: Manual updates and calculations consumed valuable time and resources, detracting from the team’s focus on strategic initiatives.

To meet these challenges, SGMF needed a robust, modernised tool that could automate processes, handle complex data with precision, and support industry best practices in safety and environmental stewardship.

Our Approach

The project began with a comprehensive discovery phase, including a key workshop with SGMF’s stakeholders. This phase was crucial in identifying the real pain points and uncovering the goals that would drive the tool’s redesign. Rather than merely fixing an outdated system, we approached this project with a transformative mindset, envisioning how SGMF could lead the industry with a cutting-edge, user-friendly tool.

Key Project Goals:

1. Automate Data Processing: Remove manual entry errors with automated data workflows.
2. Enhance User Experience: Develop an intuitive interface to reduce user complexity.
3. Increase Accuracy: Implement advanced data validation for precise calculations.
4. Ensure Scalability: Create a system that could grow alongside industry regulations and SGMF’s expanding needs.
5. Improve Response Times: Provide instant safety calculations to enable rapid decision-making.
6. Facilitate Compliance: Design the tool in alignment with the latest international standards to reinforce SGMF’s leadership in safety.

The Solution

Fluff Software designed a streamlined, powerful tool that has transformed how SGMF operates. Here’s how we achieved each of the project’s objectives:

• Automation of Data Processing: The new system automatically processes input data, eliminating the need for manual entry. This enhancement drastically reduces the potential for human error and ensures calculations are based on reliable, verified data.
• Enhanced User Interface: We designed an intuitive, user-focused interface that simplifies the data entry process. The layout and navigation make it easy for users to enter complex information quickly, while also providing clear, immediate results.
• Advanced Data Validation: Built-in validation layers ensure all data adheres to established business rules, preventing inaccurate calculations. This step enhances the reliability of safety zone calculations, building trust in the tool’s outputs.
• Scalable Architecture: Anticipating future growth and regulatory changes, we implemented a scalable architecture that can handle larger data volumes and easily incorporate additional features. This flexible setup allows SGMF to adjust and expand the tool without major redesigns.
• Real-Time Processing: The new tool performs complex calculations in a matter of minutes, a vast improvement from the previous days-long turnaround. With instantaneous results, SGMF’s users can make timely, data-driven decisions.
• Compliance Alignment: The updated tool is designed in accordance with the latest international safety standards, reinforcing SGMF’s commitment to leading the way in marine fuel safety.

The Outcome

SGMF’s revamped safety zone calculation tool is more than just a technological upgrade; it’s a cornerstone of their mission to promote a safer and more sustainable maritime industry. The new tool has empowered SGMF to serve its network more efficiently, delivering accurate, real-time safety calculations that aid in protecting people, property, and the environment.

Key Results:

• 95% Reduction in Processing Time: Calculations that once took days are now delivered in minutes.
• Improved Data Accuracy: Automated workflows and data validation have reduced errors, enhancing trust in the tool’s results.
• Scalability for Future Growth: The tool is now equipped to handle future regulatory changes and industry demands.
• Enhanced User Engagement: With an intuitive interface, users can easily interact with the tool, increasing adoption and usability across SGMF’s network.

Conclusion

This project exemplifies how Fluff Software’s approach to problem-solving goes beyond technology. By reimagining SGMF’s safety zone calculation tool, we provided a solution that supports their vision of safer, greener marine fuels, helping them maintain their role as a leader in industry best practices. We’re proud to be part of SGMF’s journey towards a more sustainable maritime future.