Berge Bulk uses Sofar Ocean's Wayfinder dynamic voyage
optimisation platform to increase fleet efficiency and accelerate
its "Maritime Marshall Plan" for decarbonisation.
SINGAPORE, Aug. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Berge Bulk, one of the
world's leading independent dry bulk owners, and Sofar Ocean, a
San Francisco-based maritime
technology company, announce that Berge Bulk has adopted Sofar's
Wayfinder platform across its fleet of owned vessels, including new
vessels equipped with wind propulsion technology.
Berge Bulk uses Wayfinder's dynamic voyage optimisation to save
fuel, time, and emissions, supporting the carrier's "Maritime
Marshall Plan" decarbonisation strategy. Wayfinder leverages the
most accurate marine weather forecasts — powered by Sofar's global
network of ocean sensors — and data-driven vessel performance
models that are continuously calibrated using the best available
weather and vessel data.
"Using innovative technology to boost vessel efficiency is
key to our 'Maritime Marshall Plan' for
decarbonisation," said James
Marshall, founder and CEO of Berge Bulk. "Sofar's
Wayfinder helps us understand fleet performance and importantly
improves the vessels route
optimisation as we aim for a zero-emissions
fleet."
"By reducing uncertainty in the weather predictions,
Wayfinder delivers significant efficiency gains immediately and
does so voyage after voyage, saving an average of 4—6% on fuel and
emissions," said Tim Janssen,
co-founder and CEO of Sofar Ocean. "We are excited about the
role of Wayfinder in supporting new technologies to drive the
energy transition and look forward to partnering with Berge Bulk on
its journey to decarbonisation."
Berge Bulk's adoption of Wayfinder is the latest in a series of
decarbonisation initiatives aimed at achieving zero scope 1
emissions fleetwide by 2050. In the past year, Berge Bulk has
equipped two ships — Newcastlemax vessel Berge Olympus and Valemax
carrier Berge Neblina — with wind
propulsion technology. Wayfinder is used on both sail-assisted
vessels to maximise the benefits of the sails on efficiency. As
Berge Bulk outfits more vessels with wind propulsion and invests in
additional decarbonisation initiatives like alternative fuels, it
will utilise Wayfinder to help measure and optimise the performance
of each new technology.
Wayfinder provides dynamic route and RPM guidance that accounts
for variations in weather, market, and vessel performance.
Wayfinder uses Sofar's superior weather forecasts, powered by its
proprietary global ocean sensor network. These data-driven weather
models greatly reduce forecast uncertainty and increase vessel
performance model accuracy, ensuring Wayfinder keeps vessels on the
most efficient path to port.
"Better weather data and forecasts are a cornerstone to
unlock superior vessel performance models and voyage
optimisation," said Janssen. "Our partnership with Berge
Bulk is built on this philosophy and we are committed to help
prepare its fleet for a present and future defined by
decarbonisation. We know that there is no silver bullet for getting
to net zero, but are confident that voyage optimisation is a
stepping stone technology to support the efficient rollout of new,
green technologies."
About Berge Bulk
Berge Bulk is one of the world's leading independent dry bulk
owners and has an outstanding record for its reliable, safe and
efficient delivery of commodities around the world. Starting out
with 12 vessels in 2007, the company now owns, operates, and
manages a fleet of 90 safe and fuel-efficient vessels, equating to
more than 15 million DWT. Berge Bulk's vision is to lead the world
to a zero-carbon future through safe, efficient and sustainable
shipping.
About Sofar Ocean
Sofar connects the world's oceans to power a more sustainable
future. The largest maritime shipping companies in the world use
its Wayfinder dynamic voyage optimisation platform to save fuel,
time, and emissions, and accelerate long-term decarbonisation
initiatives. Wayfinder is powered by Sofar's global network of
ocean weather sensors and proprietary high-accuracy weather
forecasts.
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SOURCE Berge Bulk