During a recent annual vibration survey performed by Info Marine on board a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), our service engineer detected abnormally high vibration on cargo pump turbines.
At first glance, the machinery appeared to be operating normally. However, vibration analysis quickly indicated a potential rotor imbalance. This is a problem that, if ignored, could eventually lead to serious damage or unexpected downtime.
Instead of waiting for a failure, additional measurements were carried out together with the vessel’s Superintendent to determine safe operating conditions until the next planned maintenance window.
Later investigation by the equipment manufacturer confirmed exactly the same diagnosis: rotor imbalance. The rotors were subsequently balanced, validating the vibration analysis results.
Why this matters for fleet managers
Issues like imbalance, misalignment or bearing wear often develop silently for months before a failure occurs.
Regular vibration surveys allow technical teams to:
✔ detect problems early
✔ avoid unexpected breakdowns
✔ plan repairs around dry dock schedules
✔ reduce operational risk during cargo operations
For fleets operating complex machinery, annual vibration measurements are a simple but powerful preventive tool.
If you want to improve machinery reliability across your fleet, consider adding regular vibration surveys to your maintenance strategy.
Contact Info Marine to learn how our engineers support shipowners and fleet managers with onboard diagnostics and condition monitoring.