Wärtsilä and Weathernews Inc have formed a partnership to deliver voyage optimisation solutions using weather routeing and e-navigation
They will integrate Weathernews’ weather forecasting data and optimum ship routeing (OSR) service with Wärtsilä’s products and solutions. Both companies expect this to increase navigational safety and support shipowners’ and operators’ efforts to reduce emissions from their operations.
By automating navigation and route planning functions with weather avoidance technology, shipowners can reduce navigational risks and allow seafarers to concentrate on other operational requirements.
Wärtsilä Voyage head of product for fleet operations solutions and optimisation Kay Dausendschoen said these services will prevent ships from sailing into adverse weather conditions. “Sailing through bad weather has numerous downsides,” he said. “Containers can get lost overboard, fuel consumption increases and schedules can be compromised.”
This has happened on numerous occasions during the northern hemisphere winter with container ships encountering harsh weather and sea conditions leading to cargo loss.
“By having the fastest and most accurate advanced warning of weather situations integrated into our navigational and voyage systems, these losses can be avoided,” said Mr Dausendschoen.
Under this agreement, Weathernews forecasting models can be integrated into Wärtsilä’s Fleet Operations Solution (FOS).
FOS automatically optimises a ship’s route by providing the latest voyage data, while keeping both onboard and shore-based personnel informed.
With the addition of frequent weather information, FOS will be more effective in increasing navigational safety, reducing fuel consumption, and optimising the voyage leg.
Weathernews global product and market strategy leader Henrik Faurschou expects this to be a long-term co-operation with Wärtsilä. “We look forward to developing solutions in line with our shared goal to make shipping safer and more sustainable,” said Mr Faurschou.
Weathernews currently supports approximately 10,000 vessels worldwide using risk communicators and meteorologists to deliver advanced weather forecasting.
Wärtsilä will use weather information in its Navi-Planner voyage planning and optimisation system, which is connected through the ship’s ECDIS on the bridge.
Advanced weather forecasting will also be incorporated into future sustainable systems and innovative solutions developed through the collaboration between Wärtsilä and Weathernews.
This partnership will result in additional features, such as route overlays and charts, being developed once weather service has been fully integrated into Wärtsilä systems.
Wärtsilä Voyage business development lead for fleet optimisation Jacob Snoer Iversen explained FOS and use of Weathernews forecasts and routeing to improve ship navigational safety during Riviera Maritime Media’s Vessel optimisation: route planning that optimises scheduling and profitability webinar
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