WALLENIUS Wilhelmsen has developed an artificial intelligence-based approach to voyage optimisation, having implemented livestreaming of data onboard 65 vessels.
The shipping company said it has been working with maritime technology company DeepSea over the past 18 months to develop the vessel performance software.
The new technology was developed to help lower fuel consumption on voyages.
Geir Fagerheim, senior vice president Marine Operations at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said the new approach would reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Mr Fagerheim said the company has set a target to reduce its emissions by 27.3% by 2030, and the partnership with DeepSea is one of several excepted to help meet the target.
“Half of this reduction will have to come from existing vessels. We are diligently working to find emission-friendly solutions for our existing fleet,” he said.
“We aim to implement this next-generation voyage optimisation solution for increased vessel efficiency across our entire fleet.”
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has reportedly been working over the past three years to install sensors on vessels to gather data to support reductions in fuel consumption.
The sensors monitor vessels’ operational parameters around fuel consumption, shaft power, speed and electricity consumption.
“We can now harvest this data using cloud technology, then run it through a complex mathematic model which, with the help of AI technology like that from DeepSea, ultimately provides the vessel captain with detailed instructions regarding optimal route and vessel speed,” Mr Fagerheim said.
“These tools give instructions foreseeing sailing conditions with great precision when correlated with weather forecast prognosis updates.
“No human being, no matter how many years of experience they have, can compete with these automated sailing instructions.
“It reduces emissions, it reduces fuel consumption, and it increases safety during operation.”
DeepSea CEO Roberto Coustas described the project as a milestone for the real-world application and proven impact of AI in maritime.
“Not only are we becoming a key part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s decarbonisation strategy, we are also working with professionals who truly want to contribute towards reducing fuel consumption, thus promoting a greener shipping industry altogether,” he said.
Mr Fagerheim said once the AI project reaches large-scale operation, it will have a noticeable impact on global emissions.
“It is digitalisation that drives much of the measures we carry out to reduce our emissions.”
