12 Oct Adaptive Weather Routing for Voyage Performance Optimisation
Written by Anouar KIASSI, CEO of Ascenz Marorka
Route-planning and optimisation involves juggling many constraints related to safety, operations and compliance. This complex task requires the aid of supporting tools to give confidence in decision making.
Recently, we have witnessed an unprecedented pressure on the maritime industry to adopt environmentally friendly measures. In this respect, 2023 is a turning point as CII (Carbon Intensity Index) regulations come into play, and these are challenging but exciting changes. However, experience has shown us that the most efficient way to drive change is to align environmental and economic considerations. Ascenz Marorka provide innovative digital solutions that answer these two concerns with clear benefits. Our advanced Adaptive Weather Routing for Voyage and Fleet Performance Optimisation solution is one option.
Routing critical for safety and performance
Route-planning and optimisation involves juggling many constraints related to safety, operations and compliance. Ascenz Marorka has developed an advanced route optimisation solution that is capable of advising the best route by optimising numerous parameters and respecting a large number of operational constraints. The solution is suitable for all types of vessels, and all types of propulsions and fuels. Furthermore, combined with the other features of the Ascenz Marorka platform, it offers a powerful tool for all the stakeholders to collaborate to reach their operational and economic objectives.
As far as CII is concerned, the overall platform, but the route optimisation module in particular, offer all the features required to manage the operational implications for the different stakeholders. Indeed, the new regulations require the ship owner and the charterer to collaborate closely, not only to monitor, but also to optimise the CII score. Special contractual clauses will have to be activated in case the CII score starts falling below the agreed limit, obliging the two parties to agree on corrective measures. Thanks to its predictive capabilities, the route optimisation module can play a key role in that framework by offering a collaborative platform for all parties.
Depending on the optimisation criteria selected by the user, the routes can be very different. In the above example, we see three routes corresponding to three different criteria:
· Least fuel in orange
· Shortest distance in purple
· Lowest total cost in blue
In this simulation, other parameters has been set and taken into consideration like the daily costs, the fuel costs, and the minimum and maximum speeds. In this example, the savings achieved in the “lowest cost” scenario in comparison with the “shortest distance” scenario is about 10%.
In order to provide the most accurate advice, the software uses the vessel’s digital twin, built based on the available vessel data and parameters. It takes into account the sailing conditions and the environmental conditions. This can include the vessel’s dimensions, sea trials, noon reports, maintenance records, sensor data and more.
To deliver the best performance the algorithm favours constant power profiles. In fact, when a vessel meets adverse weather conditions, such as significant waves, strong wind and currents, it must output more power and thus consume more fuel to maintain its speed and revolutions per minute (RPM). Rather than allowing the power and the fuel consumption to spike, the software recommends a RPM that stabilises them while respecting the voyages commercial constraints.
Last but not least, up-to-date Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) are taken into account to offer the most realistic route possible for the crew. In fact, this reduces the captain’s burden adapting the route to navigational constraints and increases trust in the suggested routes, and the overall solution. Furthermore, the more the route is amended for commercial or safety reasons, the higher the risk of deviating from the performance optimum.
Conclusion
Our Adaptive Weather Routing solution, together with the rest of Ascenz Marorka’s features, offer a comprehensive platform for voyage and fleet performance optimisation. Our customers benefit also from the advice and support of outstanding professionals with great experience in navigation, fleet management, vessel performance management and LNG.
OPTIMISATION OPTIONS
- Voyage duration and distance
- Fuel consumption
- Cost (including fuel, daily cost, canals, carbon tax, etc.)
- Emissions (specific to each fuel)
- Range of ship motions
SPECIFIC ADVANCED FEATURES FOR LNG CARRIERS:
- Sloshing prediction
- LNG cargo loss prediction (while complying with discharge terminal constraints)
