The products are designed for voyage optimisation based on the needs of the shipowner, whether short transit time or high fuel-saving is the greater priority. The new system, now compatible with shipboard broadband installation, features “high-definition data”, typified by more regular updates versus previous e-mail driven updates.
Amongst the various fuel-saving considerations taken into account by the system’s algorithm, one capability is the differentiation between different fuel types, and the cost thereof. This is particularly significant in relation to ECA zones. If asked, the system can calculate a route avoiding ECAs for as long as possible, thereby allowing the shipowner to use high-sulphur fuel until the last possible moment – up to the point at which it becomes more expensive – before switching to low-sulphur fuels.
Further “no-go” zones can also be set to overcome other challenges such as piracy, as well as taking vessel traffic schemes. “Having access to the best quality weather and ocean data is imperative for making informed routing decisions onboard a vessel,” said Rich Brown, AWT’s vice president of product management. “With BVS 7.0, captains have fast access to the highest resolution data available. This frequent access to data gives captains the data they need to make critical decisions regarding safety and efficiency while en route.”
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