The maritime industry is experiencing unprecedented innovation as ship owners and operators navigate towards a sustainable future. With new emission regulations on the horizon and climate goals driving urgent action, the race is on to identify and implement the most effective fuel-saving technologies available today.
Three technologies currently dominate maritime efficiency discussions. Each of these represent a distinct approach to fuel consumption reduction but share a common implementation challenge:
Wind assisted propulsion has captured the industry's attention, with technology providers promoting countless installation success stories and impressive fuel savings across various vessel types. Whether utilising the Magnus effect or Bernoulli's principle, WAPS technology provides additional thrust that can significantly reduce fuel consumption when properly managed. However, the key to maximising these benefits lies in the real-time optimisation of propulsion systems to capitalise on wind-generated thrust – with many businesses lacking the solutions that make this possible.
Air lubrication technology continues to gain momentum worldwide, with major companies driving widespread adoption. By introducing air bubbles to reduce hull resistance against water, ALS can deliver substantial fuel savings. Like WAPS, the technology's success depends on precise propulsive power adjustments that respond immediately to changing conditions.
Advanced voyage optimisation solutions leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning models trained on both traditional noon reports and high-frequency data. These systems excel at weather-based route planning, but their effectiveness ultimately depends on accurate execution of optimised voyage plans.
Despite the demonstrated capabilities of WAPS, ALS, and voyage optimisation systems, these technologies share an essential limitation: their fuel-saving benefits may not be fully realised without precision execution of operational parameters
Without accurate, real-time adjustments, even the most advanced technologies cannot deliver their promised benefits. Traditional manual operations, while managed by skilled maritime professionals, cannot maintain the continuous precision required to maximise fuel efficiency around the clock.
Our innovative solution provides:
Speed Maintenance Accuracy: When activating WAPS or ALS systems, maintaining target speed with 100% accuracy is crucial. Every deviation represents lost savings. FuelOpt continuously adjusts the engine load to maintain optimal speed – providing both the precision and around-the-clock consistency required to maximise fuel efficiency in ways that manual control cannot replicate.
"After decades of relying on manually entered, error-prone consumption figures, we finally have everything digitally available on a single platform. This enables us to eliminate all variables and accurately measure the efficiency of our sustainable investments. We now have full control over our fuel consumption and are achieving optimal savings from our Ventofoils, thanks to the Manta Marine Technologies FuelOpt package."
Michiel Marelis, Operations Director, Chemship
Voyage Plan Execution: Successful voyage optimisation requires strict adherence to planned routes and parameters. When vessels deviate from optimised plans, calculated fuel savings disappear. FuelOpt ensures precise execution of voyage optimisation strategies from port to port.
FuelOpt doesn't replace existing maritime technologies - it amplifies their effectiveness. Just as autopilot systems maintain course accuracy, FuelOpt maintains operational parameter accuracy, ensuring you capture the full potential of your green technology investments.
The future of sustainable shipping depends not just on innovative technologies, but on the precision execution that transforms potential savings into real results. With FuelOpt onboard, ship owners and charterers can:
Discover how FuelOpt's precision execution technology can complement your existing maritime systems and deliver the consistent performance your green technology investments deserve.
Robin has a Bachelor of Science as master mariner with 12+ years of experience in the shipping industry including tanker, dry bulk and offshore wind. With a strong focus on vessel efficiency, Robin helps customers all over the world on a daily basis. He supports them in operating their fleets more fuel efficiently by using the FuelOpt system, as well as visualizing their data on the Fleet Analytics online platform.
