Optimization Software News

Erik Thun Group selected Berg Propulsion’s Dynamic Drive technology to optimize efficiency on board all 10 of its latest newbuildings. The Swedish owner confirmed its decision after pilot installations exceeded energy efficiency gain expectations, with the integrated drive solution helping to save 10% of fuel, rising to 20% in some operational conditions.As part of Erik Thun’s rolling fleet renewal strategy, the owner recently expanded its newbuild program with Dutch yard Shipsveerf Ferus Smit B.V to include four 5…

Automation technology and software company Emerson announced it has invested in Frugal Technologies, a Danish-based company that offers fuel optimization technologies that reduce energy use and emissions in shipping fleets.Frugal’s cloud-based propulsion optimization software uses AI technology to collect data related to dynamic conditions such as weather, cargo load and propulsion and develop optimal engine models for ships. Frugal estimates its propulsion solutions generate savings of up to 15% in fuel consumption…

Orca AI, headquartered in Israel and founded in 2018, has a simple yet complex premise: develop and deliver an intelligent safety platform for the maritime industry to prevent collisions. To date it has attracted attention and business globally, working with SeaSpan, NYK, MSC, Shell Shipping and Marubeni amongst others. Maritime Reporter TV recently caught up Orca AI CEO and co-founder Yarden Gross for insights on the reality today, and the promising potential for AI in the maritime sector.Yarden…

A vessel’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 7.3% by using voyage optimization software, a recent study shows. Moreover, the analysis shows that voyage optimization can improve a vessel’s CII by an average of 5-6%, enabling ships to maintain their ratings for an additional two to three years.NAPA, a maritime software and data analysis expert, and classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) announced the results of a joint study conducted with Marubeni Corporation…

Mining company Anglo American announced that its newly launched liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fueled Capesize+ vessel, the Ubuntu Harmony, has loaded its first cargo of iron ore from its Kumba operations in South Africa.The 190,000 tonne bulk carrier, flagged in Singapore, is the first of 10 LNG dual-fueled newbuilds that Anglo American will introduce to its chartered fleet during the course of 2023 and 2024, delivering an estimated 35% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to ships fueled by conventional marine oil fuel.

NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) signed a contract with Kongsberg Maritime to deliver Shell’s patented JAWS (Just Add Water System) draft and trim optimization software across the entire NSML fleet of 11 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. JAWS will be distributed using Kongsberg Maritime’s K-IMS digital solution – a portfolio of specialized applications to support complex operations – making K-IMS and JAWS a core element of NSML’s digitalization and cyber security strategies.The JAWS software uses historic…

Estonian ferry operator Tallink will tap sustainability and efficiency gains enabled by ABB Ability Marine Advisory Systems – OCTOPUS for its new passenger and car ferry MyStar due for delivery from the Finnish Rauma Marine Constructions shipyard in 2022.The liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered MyStar will be deployed on the 80-kilometer trans-Baltic route between Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland, and the OCTOPUS optimization software will collect and transfer operational…

Wärtsilä said its Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) will be employed by UltraShip for the Denmark-based shipowner's entire fleet of 18 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier vessels.The solution by Wärtsilä Voyage is designed to save costs while increasing safety by automatically optimizing the route and speed of the vessel. It also provides the fullest and latest voyage data, keeping both onboard and onshore personnel informed and notified.The contract was signed in Q4 2020 and roll-out will take place during the first and second quarter of 2021.

Denmark-based GreenSteam, a majority owned company of BP, has acquired BMT’s data collection and performance optimisation subsidiary UK-based firm SMART. The marine efficiency software solutions provider is reputable in leveraging Machine Learning methodologies and next generation fuel saving platforms to stimulate the sustainable development of Shipping and World Sea Trade.The sale of SMART, a data collection and performance optimization software solution, to GreenSteam, follows a strategic business review by BMT to focus on its core Infrastructure, Defense and Security, Commercial Shipping and Environmental divisions and, as well,…

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine has released a major upgrade to its VisionMaster FT bridge software. VMFT11 includes several key updates that support safety of navigation, including enhanced bridge alert management, an improved user interface and secure data exchange onboard ship and between ship and shore.A key driver behind the VMFT11 software update is to decrease the mariner’s workload in alert management, by reducing the number of high priority radar and ECDIS alerts, so that…

StormGeo launched the Navigator Solutions Portfolio, which is designed to be an integrated, navigational and route optimization platform connecting onboard solutions to shore-based decision support. The move melds with StormGeo's recent acquisition of Nautisk, a supplier of digital maritime charts and publications to the merchant marine. The new Navigator Solutions Portfolio consists of the combination of onboard, onshore and weather routing services. Onboard solutions integrate all voyage-planning elements into one optimal workflow, with a focus on usability and connectivity.

Transmetrics’ digital solution optimizes marine logistics using AI technologies and Marlink’s global multi-band networkMarlink has signed an agreement with Transmetrics to establish a strategic business partnership aimed at predictive logistics optimization for maritime customers. The agreement will enable Transmetrics, a Forbes-awarded start-up, to leverage Marlink’s broadband satellite communications network, digital solutions and contacts to further develop maritime logistics innovations.

In response to growing traffic through the waterway, the Panama Canal has announced that it will launch a state-of-the-art vessel scheduling and maritime resource management system to further optimize costs, improve safety and increase the overall efficiency and reliability of the service it provides. “For more than a century, the Panama Canal has enjoyed a proud legacy of innovation,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. The recently announced system will transform how the Panama Canal plans and schedules transit operations. For the first time, the Canal will be able to execute a completely integrated operating plan for all of its critical resources, including tugboats, pilots and line handlers.

The fleet performance management and optimization system ClassNK-NAPA GREEN jointly developed by leading classification society ClassNK (Chairman and President: Noboru Ueda) and maritime-software, services and data analysis company NAPA has been introduced to a newbuilding by Namura Shipbuilding. The move was spearheaded by Namura Shipbuilding based on the shipowner’s acceptance. ClassNK-NAPA GREEN collects voyage data from the VDR, data logger and other onboard devices and provides high precision performance analysis through its self-learning Dynamic Performance Model. Namura Shipbuilding’s introduction of ClassNK-NAPA GREEN aims to use voyage data and performance analysis of actual voyage speed, draft and full cargo load performance to provide feedback for optimized ship design.

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, Israel  has decided to enhance its stowage planning for its containership fleet (currently 93 ships) in the future by using the software StowMan[S] from INTERSCHALT maritime systems AG, the software and services provider for maritime navigation and communications systems for ships. In addition to the stowage planning software, the contract includes equipping the ZIM fleet on-board with the Seacos MACS3 loading computer from INTERSCHALT. StowMan[S]…

Tanker shipper Ardmore Shipping Corporation’s latest newbuild vessel, Ardmore Seawolf, was delivered by SPP Shipbuilding from the Sacheon shipyard in Korea on August 13, 2015. The addition of the 49,999 DWT IMO 3 product and chemical tanker increases the number of Ardmore vessels on the water to 22, joining sister ships, Ardmore Sealion and Ardmore Seafox. Technical management of the Ardmore Seawolf will be provided by Univan Ship Management. Commenting on Ardmore Seawolf’s delivery…

Ardmore Shipping Corporation announced that its latest newbuild tanker vessel, the Ardmore Chinook, was delivered by Japanese shipbuilder Fukuoka Shipbuilding Co. Ltd from its Nagasaki shipyard on July 17, 2015. The Ardmore Chinook is a 25,000 DWT IMO 2 product and chemical tanker. Her addition to the Ardmore fleet increases the number of Ardmore vessels on the water to 21. Technical management of the Ardmore Chinook will be provided by Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd. “We are pleased to welcome the Ardmore Chinook…

The LNGreen joint industry project brought together experts from DNV GL and industry specialists from GTT, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and the shipowner GasLog to develop a state-of-the-art next-generation LNG carrier. Combining the knowledge and experience of each of the project’s partners, developers say the vessel concept offers improved environmental footprint, energy efficiency, boil-off rate and cargo capacity, making it better suited to future trading patterns than existing vessels.

South Korean shipbuilder, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and NAPA, a maritime software, services and data analysis provider, now offer a tailored NAPA-DSME Power solution for LNG carriers built by DSME. According to the developers, the specialist solution aims to ensure transparent and accurate measurement of performance and efficiency aboard LNG carriers, including measurement of boil-off to provide a full 360° view of the operation of these vessels. As a leading shipyard for LNG carriers…

DNV GL announced the initiation of a new joint industry project (JIP) to define the state-of-the-art next-generation LNG carrier. According to DNV GL, the aim is to develop a new LNG carrier that has a significantly improved environmental footprint and is more energy efficient and better suited to future trading patterns than existing vessels. The project will include the latest technology advances in cargo containment and propulsion efficiency, with focus on improving the environmental performance. DNV GL has brought together experts from across the industry, including GTT, Hyundai Heavy Industries and GasLog, each contributing their unique expertise and experience.

KVH says it plans to offer affordable delivery of AWT’s global weather data to subscribing vessels over the mini-VSAT Broadband network. KVH Industries explains that it has become the WEATHERlink launch partner for KVH’s IP-MobileCast content delivery service. KVH will use IP-MobileCast multicasting technology, to deliver AWT’s high-resolution weather and ocean data to ships at sea for a low fixed monthly fee. AWT is a marine industry leader in weather forecasting and ship routing. The AWT data, which includes forecasts with wind, wave, visibility, and currents with tidal stream data, will be updated up to four times per day to help ships optimize voyage planning and safety.

Classification society ClassNK agreed to acquire maritime software house NAPA in a deal that the classification society said aims to improve safety and performance for the whole maritime industry. According to ClassNK, the acquisition will enhance the success and capabilities of both organizations. For ClassNK, which has worked with NAPA for nearly 10 years, the deal is a chance to expand and improve the wide range of services it offers to shipowners and shipyards, whilst also providing NAPA with the support to accelerate expansion of existing operations and access new markets.

One of the most effective and easiest fuel reduction operations is reducing the engine power by reducing the speed of a vessel. Out of the total operational costs of a vessel, fuel costs account for, by far, the highest proportion. When fuel prices soared, the technical experts of one of the world’s biggest shipping companies set about to solve the problem, and slowing down was the solution they devised. By 2009 significant fuel savings resulted from sailing its ships at 12 knots instead of 24, and ”Slow Steaming” officially became the standard operating procedure in their fleet.