Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has introduced the Augmented Surveyor 3D (AGS 3D), an AI-powered inspection tool designed for ship and offshore structure inspections.
The tool, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities, is designed to enhance anomaly detection and localisation, thereby optimising inspection processes.
BV completed a successful pilot of AGS 3D on an FPSO in West Africa in collaboration with TotalEnergies. The pilot programme involved a drone-based inspection of two water ballast tanks.
AGS 3D was utilised to process all the data, resulting in a comprehensive 3D digital model featuring AI-enhanced corrosion analytics.
The pilot’s success has prompted TotalEnergies to consider expanding the use of this technology to additional assets.
TotalEnergies project leader at the Innovation Accelerator Tatiana Akimova said: “Integrating new technology, such as the AI-powered Augmented Surveyor 3D (AGS 3D), supports our efficiency challenges. By taking advantage of drone technology and AI, we can improve critical tasks such as anomaly detection and corrosion mapping and significantly reduce human exposure to risks.
“As well as increasing the safety of our teams, this also optimises our maintenance planning and decision-making processes. Thanks to the collaborative efforts and innovation spirit of TotalEnergies naval architecture team and Bureau Veritas, the successful test and future deployment of AGS 3D in our offshore fleet is a testament to our commitment to pioneering solutions that ensures asset integrity and guarantee a safer working environment for all.”
The AGS 3D tool automates critical tasks such as anomaly detection, corrosion mapping, and 3D modelling, promoting safety and increasing efficiency.
By integrating AI, the tool processes the extensive data from drone surveys, including images, videos, and LiDAR scans, to automatically detect anomalies and map them onto a 3D model.
This reduces the time and resources required for data processing while providing precise defect localisation.
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore president Matthieu de Tugny said: “Precise localisation of defects is critical for effective investigation, maintenance planning, and ongoing monitoring.
“With AGS 3D, we are now able to automatically detect and localise defects, marking a significant step forward in remote inspection technologies and augmented survey. This innovation further supports stakeholders in optimising asset integrity management and inspection workflows.”
The tool’s application extends across various marine and offshore sectors and offers benefits such as 360° visualisation, optimised maintenance planning, and data-driven decision-making.
It also provides a collaborative workspace for inspection teams and serves as a valuable addition to classification surveys.
AGS experts review the final deliverables, such as LiDAR-based drone inspections and AI-driven corrosion detection, to ensure quality.
Recently, Survitec’s Seahaven evacuation system received formal Review Attestation from Bureau Veritas as a novel life-saving appliance under IMO Resolution A.520(13).
Seahaven is acknowledged as a safety evacuation solution for high-capacity passenger vessels, capable of evacuating up to 1,060 persons in under 22 minutes.