• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Applied Weather Technology Releases New Upgrade for BVS Marine Voyage Optimization Software to Help Ship Captains View Route Recommendations Graphically, Reduce Fuel Costs and CO2 Emissions

Posted on: Monday, 8 June 2009, 07:00 CDT

AWT Estimates Ships Using Its Routing Services Could Reduce Fuel Use by 4-5 Percent by Leveraging New BVS Upgrade, Potentially Saving Approximately $180 Million Per Year in Fuel Costs and Cutting CO2 Emissions by 1,400,000 Metric Tons Annually

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT), the worldwide leader in ship routing which routes more than 30,000 voyages per year, today announced a new upgrade to its BonVoyage (BVS) marine voyage optimization software that for the first time makes it possible for ships to receive route recommendations from AWT's shore-based experts in graphical format within BVS on-board software.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081016/AQTH030ALOGO)

The significance of the upgrade is that Captains and crew members who view route recommendations graphically within BVS on-board software will more quickly and easily understand the rationale for the recommendations and be more likely to follow them, maximizing their potential to optimize safety and reduce fuel consumption, costs and CO2 emissions.

According to the Brief Summary of the Impact of Ship Emissions on Atmospheric Composition, Climate and Human Health(1), international shipping accounts for 2 to 4 percent of global C02 emissions. Also, researchers project that fuel consumption in international shipping will double within 25 to 30 years(2).

"If every ship routed by AWT closely followed our recommended routes, we estimate they could achieve a combined fuel savings of approximately 450,000 metric tons of fuel oil per year," said Skip Vaccarello, president and CEO of AWT. "At current fuel rates, that translates to potential cost savings of over $180 million per year and reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 1,400,000 metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing 320,000 cars from the road."

"By combining the powerful on-board capabilities of BVS with the on-shore expertise of AWT's ship routing staff, the upgrade announced today provides ship owners and operators with compelling new reasons to bring BVS aboard," said Richard Brown, vice president of business development, AWT. "The upgrade makes it easier than ever for Captains to choose the routes that maximize safety, while minimizing costs and environmental impact from fuel consumption."

Previously AWT's route recommendations were available only in text form, but now via the new upgrade, ships can receive the recommendations via BVS in graphical form that combines the latest data about weather and sea conditions. AWT's experience is that Captains with this enhanced information have a better understanding of why AWT's shore-based fleet optimization experts are recommending a specific route and are more likely to take AWT's recommended route, which can help them achieve the maximum possible safety, fuel-efficiency and cost-savings, as well as reduce CO2 emissions.

Various reports by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and international research organizations from 2000 to 2009 indicate that significant fuel and emissions reductions can be achieved by weather routing. According to the Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships(3), vessels can potentially save approximately 2 to 4 percent in fuel by using weather routing.

In AWT's studies comparing fuel usage by ships following AWT's recommended routes versus fuel usage following the Captain's intended route, individual voyages have had fuel savings of up to 8 percent. For a ship that consumes 100 metric tons (MT) of fuel oil per day, a conservative 3 to 4 percent fuel savings translates to a savings of 3 to 4 MT per day. If the ship spends 200 of days at sea and follows AWT optimum routes, it could save more than $320,000 annually and reduce greenhouse gasses by over 2,400 MT each year.

The new upgrade that combines AWT's route recommendations from its shore-based service with BVS' on-board software with up-to-date weather and current data is immediately available in all new installations of BVS and also available to existing BVS customers via a free and fast upgrade. It is also available for clients of ChartCo's MetManager(TM) global weather service.

The latest version of BVS also provides Captains with advance warning about threats of severe motions due to resonance, and integrates the latest technology used to determine ocean currents by offering forecast, real time Naval Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) current data. For more information about BVS, please visit http://www.awtworldwide.com/products/bon-voyage-system.asp.

About ChartCo

Since 1998 ChartCo has been providing maritime data services to the shipping community and has built a reputation for world-leading products and service. With over 4000 fittings to date it has succeeded in developing an enviable and growing client list. ChartCo is based in London providing global distribution through a worldwide network of sales agents. Installation and service is available in key international ports using authorised service agents. Support is provided by the ChartCo 24hr Support Desk, manned by IT experts.

About AWT

AWT (www.awtworldwide.com) is the leading provider of fleet optimization services and onboard voyage management software to ship owners, operators and charterers seeking the safest and most efficient routes for their fleets. AWT is staffed by world-renowned experts in ship routing, meteorology, IT, maritime science and former ship captains who are focused solely on the maritime industry. Using the most sophisticated technology available, AWT routes more ships per month than any other company Founded in 1996, AWT is privately held and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with worldwide offices located in the UK, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Korea, Germany, New York, and New Jersey. More information is available at www.awtworldwide.com or by calling 1-408-731-8600.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(1) Source: "Brief Summary of the Impact of Ship Emissions on Atmospheric Composition, Climate and Human Health," 2007, Eyring, Corbett, Lee and Winebrake

(2) Source: "The Environmental Impacts of Increased International Maritime Shipping-Past Trends and Future Perspectives," Report to the Global Forum on Transport and Environment in a Globalising World," 2008, James Corbett

(3) Source: "Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships" (Martinek, et al), 2000

SOURCE Applied Weather Technology, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category