Maintenance strategy selection for critical shipboard machinery systems using a hybrid AHP-PROMETHEE and cost benefit analysis: a case study

Abstract

The engine rooms of ships accommodate different machinery systems that are critical to ship operations. For these critical machinery systems to continue delivering the high level of service, operators are required to select and apply the best maintenance interventions. Currently, the selection of appropriate maintenance strategies for different engine room’s machinery systems is handled in a traditional way, regardless of in what condition such systems are. The aim of this paper is to propose a semi-qualitative model integrating AHP and PROMETHEE to select appropriate maintenance strategies for different critical machinery found in the engine rooms of ships. The proposed model consists of three maintenance alternatives among which decision-makers must select the best strategy according to four comparison criteria. The model is applied to select the best maintenance strategies for 17 different shipboard machinery systems in the engine room of a barge operating within West African waters. Finally, the results are compared with those obtained from a cost-benefit analysis approach (quantitative) as well as a survey of the experienced marine engineers who operate these machinery in the engine rooms of ships (qualitative). The results of the case study indicate that the proposed semi-qualitative method is a more robust approach for selecting maintenance strategies of shipboard machinery systems.