Optimization
A typical suezmax may consume up to 1500 MT in a trans-Pacific voyage. A weather foresight across the entire route space when used by a smart algorithm can help decide a route and a speed schedule that optimizes the fuel consumption for just in time arrival at the destination. Unlike traditional weather routing services, our algorithm exhaustively explores all possible speed and course combinations to decide the most optimal voyage plan under the constraints of the agreed CP terms and safe navigation guidelines. We have a proven track record of an average 5-7% fuel savings against a transparent voyage benchmarking system.
Methodology
BOSS explores all possible voyage scenarios on a weather indexed grid and uses a combination of dynamic speed scheduling and weather routing to plan the most optimum voyage schedule. Dynamic speed scheduling allows the vessel to speed up or slow down in order to avoid exposure to adverse weather. Speed scheduling when combined with weather routing, further increase the scope of optimization by not only reducing bad weather exposure but also exploiting favourable winds and ocean currents during the passage.
Voyage simulations are performed using a vessel-specific hydrodynamic model based on data from previous voyage abstracts, vessel performance tests and incoming noon reports through our MIRROR reporting system. Our dynamic programming based optimization algorithm takes into account several constraints including, but not limited to, the following:
- Charter-party terms
- Navigational hazards, ice limits
- Vessel-specific restrictions - Max/Min RPM, Roll, Pitch
- Speed constraints in certain areas HRA/VRA
- Bunkering stoppages
These constraints ensure that the generated voyage plan is feasible in a real-world scenario and the estimates we get before voyage commencement are as accurate as possible. Once the exhaustive simulation is complete, BOSS finds a range of achievable arrival times under the given constraints and an optimum voyage plan can be generated for any given arrival time within this range.
Following are some of the advantages of BOSS optimization methodology against other weather routing services:
- No retrofitting/Installation required onboard.
- Vessel specific simulations ensuring accurate estimates and practicable voyage plan.
- Vessel has direct access to the blue water technical experts 24X7.
- Regular plan update on every 5th day with latest weather forecast or incase of deviation with projections.
- Increase in repute among all the stakeholders and better customer relations.
- Objective monitoring with man-machine combination to decide measures essential for further optimization.
Voyage Comparator
BOSS voyage comparator helps in taking critical decisions regarding voyage planning. It is a complete and easy to use interface to explore various voyage scenarios generated by our optimization algorithm. A voyage manager can compare various ETAs, in terms of fuel savings and voyage earnings. He/She can also invite all stakeholders to the BOSS voyage comparator to negotiate the most suitable voyage plan.
The calculations in the comparator are based on a detailed six hourly simulation of the voyage in the forecast weather conditions for any given arrival time. It also takes into account all the costs like freight rates, demurrage, port charges etc and there by helps identify the best ETA to maximize voyage earnings or TCE.
Features
- Freight Calculator: is used to calculate freight basis world-scale rate or freight/day, as per user’s convenience.
- Demurrage Calculator: User can fill demurrage rate (USD/day) to automatically calculate demurrage.
- Live bunker prices: User can choose bunker price of four major bunker ports and three types of bunker in the world for calculations if required fuel prices can be filled manually.
- ETB window: ETB window takes earliest and latest ETB date and time. User can enter preferred ETA /ETB for the user can decide best suitable ETB window basis voyage earnings.
- Best Speed Plan: Best speed plan is based achieving latest ETB as provided by the user with minimum M/E fuel consumption.
- Max TCE Plan: Max TCE plan is based on ETB for which voyage earnings is maximum.
- Minimum Expense Plan: Minimum expense plan is based on ETA for which voyage expenses are minimum. It is designed specifically for the charterer.
VAJRA
VAJRA or Voyage Analysis and Joint Routing Assistant is a light-weight offline application that serves as an interactive extension to the Voyage Plan PDF sent to the vessel. VAJRA offers an easy way to observe the weather forecast along the vessel’s intended route, BOSS recommended route and standard shipping routes to make well-informed decisions regarding the next course of action. The user may select the date and time and load the vessel’s expected position and weather on different routes for that date and time on the map. The user can also hover the mouse on any position on the map to see the forecast significant wave height and wind speed at that position. VAJRA also provides a detailed comparison of simulation results such as estimated fuel consumption, weather conditions, distance, time of arrival, and speed throughout the passage along various routes. The interactive nature of VAJRA removes the need for both tedious excel sheets and evaluating static weather charts. Instead, an interactive interface provides a much simpler way to conduct route comparisons.
Here are some key features VAJRA offers:
- A simple, fast and lightweight HTML attachment which is compatible with all web browsers and does not require any internet connection.
- Interactive interface - The interactive nature of VAJRA offers a simple and intuitive way of conducting route comparisons.
- Prompt comparison between various route options on parameters including Time of Arrival, Main Engine Consumption, SECA/ECA Fuel Consumptions, Average speed and RPM; which in turn aids in the selection of optimum route according to one’s priority.
Benchmarking
