Maritime Vessel Coordination System for Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maritime transport systems lack effective coordination of ocean-going cargo ships, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and congestion due to the conventional 'Sail Fast, Then Wait' operational model, with no technical or contractual solutions in place to manage voyages like air traffic control systems.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that receives data from tracking systems and satellite observations to calculate optimal courses, target arrival times, and speeds for water-based transport vessels, directing them to 'Blue Box' waiting locations outside anchorage points, reducing wait times, coordinating arrivals, and minimizing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If Cargo Vessels steam at service speed regardless of other ships' movements, then delivery time is reduced, but greenhouse gas emissions increase and port congestion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the service speed parameter based on real-time conditions. Instead of maintaining a fixed service speed, the coordination system adjusts speeds of multiple vessels to achieve synchronized arrivals, reducing overall emissions while maintaining acceptable delivery times through optimized speed profiles
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coordination calculations before vessels arrive at port. By pre-calculating optimal arrival times and speed adjustments based on port congestion forecasts and other vessel positions, the system enables vessels to adjust their courses in advance, avoiding last-minute speed changes and reducing emissions
2Loss of time
If Cargo Vessels steam at service speed regardless of port congestion, then delivery time is reduced, but port congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coordination system implements continuous feedback loops where port congestion status, vessel positions, and arrival times are constantly monitored. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of vessel schedules and speeds to optimize both delivery times and port throughput, preventing congestion while maintaining efficient service
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static scheduling to dynamic coordination. Vessel arrival times and speeds are continuously adjusted based on real-time port conditions and other vessel movements, enabling the system to adapt to changing congestion levels and maintain optimal productivity
3Object-generated harmful factors
If speed reduction is implemented to reduce emissions, then carbon dioxide emissions decrease, but delivery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the schedules of multiple vessels to achieve coordinated arrivals. By grouping vessels and synchronizing their arrivals at port, the system enables faster speeds for individual vessels within the group while maintaining reduced overall emissions through consolidated port operations and optimized routing
Data Source
AI summary
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing optimized coordination of water-based transport vessels. In various embodiments, a computing system may receive at least two of first data (including tracking system data including location of each vessel within a predetermined geographical region), second data (including specific vessel-related information, including position data, speed data, draft data, voyage information, on-board fuel consumption sensor data, and/or maintenance records), and/or third data (including satellite-based observation data including relational data associated with the vessels within the predetermined geographical region relative to other vessels, anchorage points, ports, and/or preset waiting locations. The computing system may analyze the at least two of the first, second or third data to calculate an optimal course, target arrival time, and/or speed at which a first vessel among a plurality of vessels should travel from its current position to a first preset waiting location outside of the destination port.