Four brilliant

ways to save
money with
voyage
optimisation

Wärtsilä
white paper
 From new regulations to the need to stay The key challenge facing vessel owners:
competitive, the shipping industry is under a the need to cut costs
lot of pressure. Luckily, there’s an easy way to
address these challenges and reduce costs at The shipping industry is facing a variety of pressures that relate to costs, especially as
the price of fuel and emissions allowances is rising. These pressures can be broadly
the same time. This paper will show you how divided into three categories:
optimising your voyages can help you save
• the need to thrive in a competitive industry,
money in four important ways. • the need to ensure compliance, and
• the need to navigate the ongoing digitalisation of the industry.

Competition is fierce
Shipping is competitive and characterised by the high fixed costs of vessel investments
combined with a market that is sensitive to shifts in supply and demand. Owners
and operators are under continuous pressure to find cost savings. These savings are
needed to invest in assets, find new business, cut emissions and improve safety.

Compliance is non-negotiable
There are many regulations that impact shipping. The IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator
(CII) imposes increasingly strict operational efficiency targets to reduce emissions.
Currently, more than one third of bulkers, tankers and container ships are non-
compliant.1 If your vessel doesn’t comply, and no action is taken, you will have to
sail slower. Eventually, your vessel will have to sail so slowly that it will no longer be
competitive and will need to be replaced – which is a huge cost.

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which has applied to shipping from the
beginning of 2024, has added even more cost pressure. Cargo and passenger ships
above 5000 GT will be affected. The EU ETS is a cap-and-trade system where there is a
total fixed amount of greenhouse gases that an operator can emit. Any emissions over
this cap must be paid for by purchasing emissions allowances. The cap will be reduced
annually, meaning emissions have to keep dropping or you will need to pay even more
to operate your vessels.

Regulations like this put pressure on owners and operators to find ways to lower
emissions, which requires investment.

Digitalisation is essential
We live in a digital era, and shipping is no exception. To optimise their operations and
thrive in this digital era, modern companies must be able to harness and gain insights
from data. However, knowing which digital tools to invest in and how to maximise
return on investment isn’t easy. Rolling out digital tools also requires a change in
mindset about how vessels are managed and operated. Harnessing digitalisation 1
White paper: Discover the real
CII status of your vessels and
requires investment in smart solutions that take the unique needs of shipping into how to improve it
account. https://www.wartsila.com/
insights/whitepaper/white-
paper-discover-the-real-cii-
Voyage optimisation can help with all of these challenges by providing four brilliant status-of-your-vessels-and-
ways to save money. how-to-improve-it

Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 2 Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 3
 Four ways that voyage optimisation
helps you save money
At its most fundamental, voyage optimisation is about behavioural change. By
helping crews to perform more efficiently even without investments in new
equipment, each vessel cuts wastage and maximises efficiency.

Voyage optimisation works by harnessing data. Understanding and being

aware of your data sources and their quality gives you the opportunity to
use that data for visibility over every area of your vessel and team. Today’s
software algorithms can make recommendations that can then be analysed
and interpreted by the user to course-correct, blending software insights with
human decision making to improve operational efficiency.

Voyage optimisation promises to save you money in four brilliant ways.

1
You save fuel through smarter route planning

The best voyage optimisation systems harness onboard data. This is then
combined with weather and sea-state information to provide the best
possible current-state analysis. Intelligent machine learning methods analyse
this data to plan the most efficient route for your vessels.

finding the most efficient route simple and frees up crews to optimise other
Voyage optimisation systems can offer a clear step-by-step approach to route
aspects of ship operations. Routes can be planned and optimised in the cloud
planning from port to port – while still ensuring that a human has final say
or on shore and then shared with the captain and the team on the bridge.
over the decisions. Automating much of the voyage planning process makes

An optimised route saves fuel and money. This is of course an immediate

benefit. But it will be even more important in the future as the shipping
industry switches to alternative fuels, which initially will be more expensive.
Saving 5% today might equal €50,000. But in the future, when alternative
fuel costs are set to be 300–500% more expensive, that same 5% will mean
savings of €150,000–300,000.

2
You save fuel through monitoring hull and
equipment condition

Performance management systems can use onboard data to determine how

your equipment is performing. One key area where this helps is knowing the
optimum time for hull cleaning, which is a proven way to reduce fuel costs. By
tracking performance curves, you can see a vessel’s efficiency in real time and
schedule hull cleaning as performance starts to degrade.

Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 4 Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 5
 Performance management systems also allow you to track hull coating
performance. This can be done between sister vessels with different coatings,
allowing you to determine which is the most effective. You can then roll out
the more effective solution across your fleet.

You can also use performance management systems to monitor onboard

equipment, for example auxiliary engines and boilers, to make sure they
are being used in the most efficient way possible. The system then gives
recommendations to correct inefficient use of equipment. For example,
switching from two auxiliary engines to a single engine running at optimal
load can save fuel while still ensuring sufficient power on board.

3
You can unlock new commercial opportunities through
improved vessel efficiency

In a competitive and capital-driven market, shipping needs to find every

means possible to cut wastage and maximise efficiency. Voyage optimisation
systems help to cut fuel costs and emissions while also helping to ensure
your vessel arrives in port on time.

By reducing emissions and enabling just-in-time shipping, voyage

optimisation means that your vessels become more attractive to charterers.
More attractive vessels increase your revenue, allowing you to invest in more
energy-saving technologies and helping you to find new business. This
creates a positive loop for your operations.

4
You ensure compliance in the most cost-effective way

The first step towards managing your fleet’s environmental compliance

is having full visibility into how each vessel is performing. With real-time
performance data, you can quickly see which vessels are performing well and
which are at risk of falling out of CII compliance. This kind of information will
The best voyage optimisation systems:
also be vital for ensuring compliance with EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, for
example.
• pull your data together into a single, easy-to-use platform
• use existing equipment on board, meaning no major
Voyage optimisation systems allow you to make efficiency gains by adjusting investments are necessary
crew behaviour to sail more optimal routes and use equipment in the most
• combine vessel data and data from shore offices and ports with
efficient way possible. Cutting emissions through optimising decision making third-party sources like weather information to provide the most
is a quick win and a cost-effective way to extend environmental compliance. accurate overview possible
• analyse information based on intelligent algorithms
Instead of making large capital investments in energy-saving technologies, • give suggestions on the most efficient route and can tell you if
you can begin with a much smaller software investment. As you gain more equipment is being used in the most efficient way possible
real-time information about your vessels, this can then inform future • are flexible, so you only need to invest in the features you want
investments – further improving environmental performance and extending
vessel lifetimes.

Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 6 Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 7
 Introducing Wärtsilä’s voyage
optimisation solution
Wärtsilä’s Fleet Optimisation Solution (FOS) is a voyage optimisation tool that
helps you to cut costs. FOS uses existing onboard equipment like a connected
electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) for gathering data.
The only investment needed is the software – making this a cost-effective
solution. The system combines onboard data and third-party data like
weather and sea-state information. Artificial intelligence is used to analyse
this data to make recommendations while keeping a human in the loop at all
times.

FOS gives you the power to implement a performance programme for

your fleet where you can set KPIs and track the performance of all
your vessels. FOS offers tools for fuel consumption monitoring,
route optimisation and condition monitoring of the hull and
onboard machinery – while making all this info transparent
both on board and on shore. Combined, these give you a
high-level view of your vessel and fleet and allow onboard
and onshore personnel to make the best decisions
possible to save costs.

FOS is made up of four modules, each of which

offers different services

With FOS, you can:

• save fuel costs through optimal

route planning
• save fuel costs by monitoring
hull and equipment condition
and usage
• unlock new commercial
opportunities through better
performance
• help ensure compliance in the most
cost-effective way possible

Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 8 Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 9
 Cases
Discover two eye-opening real-life cases that demonstrate how voyage
optimisation can save you money.

How Carisbrooke Shipping achieved 6% fuel savings across

their fleet

The challenge: Carisbrooke Shipping wanted to optimise fuel consumption

and monitor its vessels for further savings potential.

The solution: Carisbrooke implemented Wärtsilä FOS across its fleet of

29 dry cargo and multipurpose vessels in 2019. Greater vessel insight has
allowed operators to make better data-driven decisions to optimise fleet
operations and cut emissions. FOS helped Carisbrooke compare sister vessels
with different solutions such as hull coatings to determine which was most
effective – they could then apply the most efficient solutions fleetwide. FOS
also enabled the efficiency of changes in operations to be tracked.

The impact: After implementing FOS, Carisbrooke has seen a fuel reduction
of 6% across the fleet. Carisbrooke is now using its enhanced fleet overview
and vessel insight to identify further measures that will save fuel and reduce
emissions.

How Anglo-Eastern achieved fuel savings of 4%

The challenge: Anglo-Eastern is a leading global provider of independent

ship management services, with 530 vessels in its fleet. Anglo-Eastern wanted
to improve operational efficiency and improve overall fleet performance.

The solution: Anglo-Eastern implemented Wärtsilä FOS to help identify

trends and translate data into actionable insights. Thanks to the FOS
recommendations about routing and how to use equipment on board, the
crew are now making better decisions that save fuel.

The impact: With FOS, one of Anglo-Eastern’s gas carriers achieved fuel
savings of 4%, equal to USD 180,000 in fuel savings per year.

Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 10 Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 11
 Are you ready to save money with
voyage optimisation?
Unlocking the power of data with smart and integrated software solutions can
help you address the key challenges facing shipping operators and cut costs.

Wärtsilä FOS turns your data into actionable insights that can be used to
optimise routes and equipment efficiency. With FOS, you can:

• save fuel costs through better route planning

• save fuel costs by monitoring hull and equipment condition
• find new commercial opportunities through better performance
• comply with regulations in the most cost-effective way possible

FOS delivers these benefits without the need for major investment.

Interested to know how FOS can help optimise your operations? Contact us
to discuss how we can help you save money with voyage optimisation: www.
wartsila.com/marine/products/fleet-optimisation#contact

Why choose Wärtsilä?

• Wärtsilä FOS is a proven solution already in use on over 1,700 vessels.

• Wärtsilä FOS is easily deployable and can work within an ecosystem of
existing solutions, meaning it can take data from existing systems and
export data into other systems.
• Wärtsilä has years of experience in creating and optimising digital
solutions for shipping.
• Wärtsilä is an OEM for the shipping industry and understands your
unique needs.
• Wärtsilä experts can advise you on how to cut fuel costs and save
money in the most effective way possible.

Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 12 Four brilliant ways to save money with voyage optimisation | 2024 13
 04.2024 / TenFour
Work with Wärtsilä to
navigate decarbonisation
with confidence.
Build your success on Wärtsilä’s broad portfolio of
engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology,
exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital
technologies, as well as integrated powertrain
systems. These building blocks offer you efficiency,
reliability, safety and world-class environmental
performance.

The offering includes performance-based

agreements, lifecycle solutions and an unrivalled
global network of maritime expertise.

www.wartsila.com/marine

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and

lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets.
We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and
services to help our customers continuously improve their
environmental and economic performance.

© 2024 Wärtsilä Corporation – All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, graphic, photocopying, recording, taping or
other information retrieval systems) without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. Neither Wärtsilä Finland Oy, nor any other Wärtsilä Group
Company, makes any representation or warranty (express or implied) in this publication and neither Wärtsilä Finland Oy, nor any other Wärtsilä Group Com-
pany, assumes any responsibility for the correctness, errors or omissions of information contained herein. Information in this publication is subject to change
without notice. No liability, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, is assumed with respect to the information contained herein. This
publication is intended for information purposes only.