Dynamic navigation and port call optimisation in real time

Dynamic navigation and port call optimisation in real time

Decarbonization of maritime transport through carbon-free fuel is a daunting and expensive process. New propulsion systems, such as wind-assisted, will contribute to fuel-savings. Still, whatever the pathway for a sustainable transition towards net zero emissions by 2050, more energy-efficient operations remain a prerequisite. This applies to the ship sailing as well as the port call processes. Efficient and viable voyage and port call optimization requires much increased cooperation between parties and overcoming several important barriers such as; charter parties and contracts enabling just in time arrivals and more explicit risk/benefit sharing; improved transparency and reduce cyber-security risks; reliable and efficient voyage and port call information sharing among all parties. Any new voyage optimization tool must take all these constraints into consideration and ensure full transparency on the arrival times to be agreed between the parties before the optimized route is activated. The goal of DYNAPORT is to develop new optimization and coordination tools for ports and ships that both reduce the ship's fuel consumption and increases port efficiency with at least 10%. KPIs will be developed to quantify and measure these savings. The tools will be built on information sharing through internationally accepted protocol standards and communication systems. To improve port efficiency as well as port approach safety, the system will integrate the port VTS in arrival and departure planning and execution. This goal is fully aligned with the Strategic research and innovation agenda for the partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport, underlining the lack of standardized technologies and infrastructure enabling operational integration with ports as one key barrier to faster decarbonization of maritime transport, but also with the IMO Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, and wider initiatives by the EC, such as the European Green Deal.