Reducing fuel consumption is key

Optimizing route and speed would positively impact voyages by reducing fuel consumption, which is sensitive to the vessels' track, sailing speed and sea state due to weather, especially for long voyages. For example, a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption was achieved by implementing speed management, fleet planning and weather routing in cargo ships¹.

The power of investment

Recognizing the above challenges and innovating through organic and inorganic growth, ABB strengthened their commitment to help ship owners and operators meet cost, efficiency and decarbonization needs by adding weather routing services to their portfolio in 2024 when DTN’s shipping business was acquired. By combining their expertise in automation and digitalization with knowledge from expert meteorologists, marine software and services, ABB is now one of the leading providers of ground-breaking route optimization solutions to meet the shipping industry’s needs.

ABB Ability Routeguard and Optimal Speed Routing

The integration of Routeguard digital onshore and offshore routing services in the ABB Ability™ portfolio (2), allows mariners to save fuel and time during voyage planning and implementation. The ABB Ability™ Routeguard newest feature, Optimal Speed Routing (also available within the shipping APIs), further enhances the capability for mariners to mitigate changing weather and ocean conditions, fuel price and consumption volatility as well as environmental impact by optimizing the vessel track and sailing speed simultaneously.

Optimal Speed Routing leverages advanced weather forecasting models and sea states, and real-time data input, eg, fuel costs, daily hire costs, and specific vessel performance models. The algorithm recommends routes (3) over the vessels' entire speed range to achieve optimal results, if no strict ETA is required. If, however, the voyage has a desired ETA, the algorithm can vary the speed within a range that is restricted by the ETA requirement. In both cases, vessels can navigate smoother waters yet maintain an optimal speed depending on ETA needs. Captains can thus make better informed decisions about whether to slow down or speed up to avoid rough sea conditions.

Optimal Speed Routing data and analytics also allow shipping companies to take advantage of volatile fuel prices by adjusting speed according to market fluctuations. When fuel prices are high, slower speeds can yield fuel cost savings without increasing voyage time substantially.

Reducing total voyage costs

ABB demonstrated that track and speed optimization translates to financial savings under both unrestricted ETA and strict ETA requirements. A test case of the Supramax bulk carrier sailing from Barcelona, Spain to Stavanger, Norway found that operating with Optimal Speed Routing saved total voyage costs compared to the use of standard weather routing. Employing Optimal Speed Routing within a range of 9–14 knots depending on conditions, saved US$122,000 (29 percent) total voyage cost compared to standard weather routing sailed at a fixed speed of 14 knots. Even sailing at a fixed speed of nine knots, the total voyage cost would be US$2,300 (1 percent) greater than using the enhanced weather routing solution.

On a longer route, from Galveston, USA to Stavanger varying speed between 9 and 13.5 knots with Optimal Speed Routing would reduce total voyage cost by US$290,000 (32 percent) compared to implementing standard weather routing fixed at 13.5 knots and by US$11,000 (2 percent) compared to standard weather routing fixed at 9 knots.

With ABB Ability™ Routeguard Optimal Speed Routing, ABB brings innovation to the marine market for a safer, more cost-efficient, and sustainable future by helping mariners minimize fuel consumption to cut costs and reduce emissions.