Digitalisation, slow steaming will generate fuel savings of 20-30%

“We needed tools to provide information faster to crew and managers,” said Mr Ponath. “When all parties are involved, there can be 20-30% savings. Applying several measures will make a difference.”

Key to this is software for monitoring and analysing ship performance.  But even more could be achieved if voyage optimisation is included.

“We can develop advances in voyage optimisation for estimated time of arrivals, considering environmental conditions and ship speed,” said Mr Ponath.

NSB partnered with ABB Turbocharging to develop digital solutions for monitoring and optimising ship fleets. The ABB Ability Tekomar Xpert marine portfolio includes modules to monitor and benchmark performance of ship engines, propulsion and hulls.

ABB Turbocharging digital solutions head of digital product management Pascal Reolon said the latest module of this software suite also benchmarks ship performance against IMO’s upcoming Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), which comes into force in 2023.

The engine module provides advisories on engine optimisation that enables owners to improve fuel efficiency and maintain engine health, Mr Reolon said. The hull and propeller module assesses condition of the hull and propeller and provides advisories on necessity, and optimal timing for hull cleaning.

“Up to 20% of fuel efficiency is down to the hull and propeller, so it is important to assess hull condition,” said Mr Reolon.

The emissions module calculates and forecasts the vessel’s CII rating and provides automated emissions reports.

“It can forecast where the vessel will be in 2023 and enable owners to take appropriate action before it is too late,” said Mr Reolon.

ABB Turbocharging senior vice president of digital solutions Cristian Corotto explained how digitalisation can help accelerate decarbonisation of the shipping industry through “optimising engines and monitoring ship performance” while sharing this information with stakeholders.

“It is making sure data is available,” said Mr Corotto. Also important is reducing the complexity of accessing data and its analysis. “It is about monitoring and analysis and making this less complex,” he said.

The Maritime Cyber Risk Management Forum will be held 28 June 2022. Details and tickets can be found here