There is a tightening grip on the maritime industry which can be summed up in two words: cost and regulations. In an effort to assist ship operators, IMO regulations have mandated implementation of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), which is designed for increasing levels of vessel and fuel efficiency, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately these measures, when implemented over time, will save money through lower bunker consumption and lower vessel costs through better vessel and voyage efficiency.

IMO Regulation MEPC.213 (63) provides "Guidance on Best Practices for Fuel-Efficient Operations for Ships", which details a number of energy improvement methods for consideration as part of a SEEMP. Weather Routing, Inc. (WRI) can assist with compliance and ship and voyage efficiency by providing tools, guidance and reports for voyage planning, voyage execution and voyage analysis.

Pre Voyage Planning:

Voyage planning must take into account all the necessary business decisions involved in prosecuting a voyage, such as:

Required ETA, Timed ETA or no ETA requirement.
Minimize Bunker Costs, ECO speed versus normal speed.
HSFO versus LSFO usage and costs in ECA zones and how to minimize.
Bad weather: Tropical Threat, Heavy Weather, high winds/heavy seas and how to minimize/avoid and maintain schedules.
Deck or Sensitive Cargo requiring minimum weather.
Effects of summer, winter or tropical marks and various loaded conditions/stability concerns.

WRI's Dolphin Voyage Planner (DVP) enables a clear and concise evaluation of the transit time, effects of weather and currents, different waypoints and bunkers consumed with one dynamic tool.

WRI's Pre-Voyage Report is sent to the vessel/client 2 days prior to the expected departure giving a brief outline of the voyage distance and time, weather, currents and restrictions with respect to ECA zones.

WRI's detailed route/weather advisories are sent 6-8 hours prior to departure.

Each of these tools and guidance can assist in planning a cost-effective and optimum transit.

Voyage Execution:

For an optimum and cost-effective transit, continuous monitoring of distance, weather, currents and expected ETA are required. Safety is also an ongoing concern. Whether the potential for heavy weather, tropical threat, icebergs/sea ice, freezing spray or other hazards, vigilance is demanded for ongoing monitor and adjustment of the planned route.

Figure 1: Comparison Routing on
Dolphin Voyage Planner

(click to enlarge)

WRI's Dolphin Voyage Planner again can be utilized for up-to-date real-time and forecast data.

WRI's detailed route/weather advisories are sent from WRI's operations center. Qualified and experienced marine meteorologists and route analysts continually evaluate the vessel's route, weather, currents and hazards for the optimum transit.

WRI's Forecast Charts can be emailed to the ship giving a clear view of the weather, seas and ocean currents.

Each of these tools and guidance can assist in analyzing a cost-effective and optimum transit.

Post Voyage Analysis:

During a voyage, and at the close of a transit, analysis is required to evaluate the efficient prosecution of the transit for distance, time, speed, consumption and emissions. Evaluation allows ship operations to better estimate timing of dry-dock operations, bottom/hull and prop cleaning, engine repairs and more in reviewing bunker rates versus speed and emissions. Efficiency reports can show how well the ship and weather routing company are "planning" a transit and executing the plan. Each of these reports are critical in keeping you and your fleet SEEMP and IMO compliant.

WRI's Daily Status Reports itemize the vessel's "performance" daily.

Figure 2: WRI Voyage Efficiency Report
and Summary

(click to enlarge)

WRI's Post Voyage Analysis itemizes the vessel's distance, time, speed, weather, current and bunker consumption. Comparison is made against warranted or advised values to evaluate the ship's "performance".

WRI's Voyage Efficiency Reports are created after the transit to evaluate the route and prosecution of the voyage against a "typical or normal" voyage.

WRI's Emissions Reports itemize each vessel's greenhouse gas emissions.

Each of these tools and guidance can assist in executing a cost-effective and optimum transit.

Contact WRI to discuss utilizing our products and services to bring your fleet into compliance with SEEMP and IMO Regulations. Using WRI's services and products will mean more efficient ship operations, assists in keeping your vessels safe, and will ultimately lower your operating and bunker costs.