Container shipping group Ocean Network Express (ONE) has learned lessons from losing cargo overboard by implementing weather avoidance solutions
ONE has agreed to deploy a wider range of ship routeing services across its fleet of 250 ships to enhance navigational safety and improve fuel efficiency.
The sixth-largest container carrier in the world has expanded its co-operation with Norway-headquartered StormGeo to upgrade weather routeing and voyage planning services on its container ships.
ONE aims to prevent shipping accidents such as those experienced in Q4 2020 when two of its ships – ONE Apus and ONE Aquila – lost hundreds of containers due to gale-force winds and large swells in the northern Pacific Ocean. Similar recent accidents involving ships operated by other container liners led to calls for better implementation of weather routeing.
ONE will use StormGeo’s voyage optimisation and routeing services to ensure fleet safety, maintain its operating schedules and closely monitor related performance criteria.
“StormGeo’s products and services are an essential part of our onboard and onshore operations,” said ONE general manager for global vessel operations Sachin Sirsikar.
“Having access to weather forecasts specific to our voyages helps us manage our strict estimated time of arrivals (ETAs) with a focus on safety and fuel efficiency,” he said.
“In a time of digitalisation and sustainability within shipping, we are proud to partner with a company who prioritises these values as much as we do.”
StormGeo’s ETA services for trade routes and s-Planner BVS route planning software will be installed fleetwide. S-Planner BVS uses frequent, accurate weather and ocean forecast information, allowing ships to avoid potentially damaging sea conditions, such as those thought to have caused container overboard losses in Q4 2020.
ONE’s onshore staff also have access to StormGeo’s s-Insight web platform, giving instant visibility of the location and performance of its entire fleet.
Route recommendations provided by StormGeo to the ONE fleet are widely accepted by both shore and onboard staff.
StormGeo chief operating officer Kim Sørensen believes this is largely due to the trust that has been built between the two companies. “Our customer service teams have a great relationship with ONE, particularly with their global ocean route advisory team in Singapore,” said Mr Sørensen.
“We work hard to ensure their fleet is safe, timely and fuel efficient, utilising constant power to optimise their passages. It is truly a win-win co-operation.”
ONE operates a global fleet of more than 250 ships actively participating in all major global trade lanes. It delivers cargo with an extensive liner network service portfolio covering over 100 countries internationally.
StormGeo is being acquired by Sweden-headquartered shipboard systems manufacturer Alfa Laval as part of Alfa Laval’s digitalisation and diversification strategy.
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