Voyage Efficiency Analysis Using Historical Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for optimizing ship voyages rely on inaccurate weather forecasts and lack a systematic approach to analyze and improve voyage efficiency, leading to increased costs, delayed arrivals, and disrupted port schedules.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus that uses historical data to generate a baseline voyage solution and compare it to actual voyage data, allowing for the analysis of voyage efficiency and identification of improvements through a data processing system and software application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the speed of a ship is increased to arrive early, then the arrival time is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the speed parameter dynamically throughout the voyage rather than maintaining a constant high speed. The ship operates at optimized speed levels in different voyage segments, achieving early arrival while minimizing fuel consumption by avoiding sustained high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The voyage solution transitions from static speed plans to dynamic speed optimization. The system continuously adjusts speed based on real-time conditions and pre-calculated optimal profiles, allowing the ship to adapt its speed to achieve early arrival without excessive fuel consumption.
2Loss of time
If a ship arrives on time but requires bursts of speed, then the arrival time is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying excessive speed bursts throughout the voyage, the system applies partial speed increases only in specific segments where they are most effective. The optimization identifies critical voyage phases where speed adjustments yield the best time-fuel trade-off, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary speed adjustments in advance of critical voyage phases rather than reacting with late-speed bursts. By proactively optimizing speed in early voyage segments, the ship achieves better overall efficiency while still meeting arrival time targets.
3Productivity
If weather forecasts are used for route optimization, then the voyage planning is improved, but the accuracy deteriorates with longer forecast periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary voyage optimization using the best available forecast data before departure, establishing a baseline plan. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare optimized routes based on forecasted conditions without relying on inaccurate long-term forecasts during the voyage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static reliance on long-term forecasts to dynamic re-optimization using updated forecast data. By continuously adjusting the voyage plan based on newer, more accurate forecasts and actual conditions encountered, the system maintains high planning quality despite the inherent inaccuracy of extended forecast periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for analyzing voyage efficiency. Historical data for a completed voyage of a ship is obtained. A baseline voyage solution for a completed voyage is generated with a software application executing on a processor unit using a model of the ship and the historical data. The baseline voyage solution is compared to an actual voyage solution used for the completed voyage to form a comparison.