Planned maintenance software gains ClassNK Type Approval

OCTOBER 19, 2017 — Victoria, BC, Canada, maritime software company, Helm Operations, has received ClassNK Type Approval for its Helm CONNECT as a recognized planned maintenance software system after a detailed review process.

Helm Operations has been a wholly owned subsidiary of ClassNK since July 1, 2014.

ClassNK is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). IACS members recognize and accept Type Approvals from other society members, thereby allowing any shipowner to implement the Helm CONNECT software as its planned maintenance tracking system.

“This is a historic moment for our organization,” said Helm founder and CEO Ron deBruyne. “For many years we have been the market leader in maritime software for the global tug and barge industry. This Type Approval now makes it possible for us to expand into the much larger blue water shipping industry, regardless of which classification society the shipowner uses.”

Helm Operations (formerly Edoc Systems Group) has been developing operations software for the commercial maritime industry since 1999. Helm CONNECT is the company’s flagship product.

Managing safety and compliance, planned maintenance, billing, or jobs, Helm CONNECT is the workboat industry’s first software system designed through user experience principles, making it intuitive for use by everyone in a workboat company, from crew to CEO.

More than 1,700 vessels currently use Helm CONNECT, with customers including Svitzer A/S, Kirby, Ingram Barge, ARTCO, McAllister, Saam Smit, Florida Marine Transporters and Blessey Marine.

Now, says Mr. de Bruyne, “We are looking forward to working with blue water operators all over the world.”