Denmark-based UltraShip is to roll out the Wärtsilä Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) for its entire fleet of 18 LPG tanker vessels, to be used to automatically optimise the route and speed of its ships during operations.
The contract was signed in Q4 2020 and roll-out is planned to take place during the first and second quarter of 2021.
As part of the deal, Wärtsilä will upgrade the ships’ onboard ECDIS to support the new FOS capabilities. The upgrade includes chart delivery services and weather route optimisation software.
“The digitalisation currently underway in the shipping industry is something we actively participate in, to raise the efficiency of our operations,” said Kaj S. Pilemand, Chief Technical Officer at UltraShip.
“We see Wärtsilä’s FOS as an important enabler in reaching our goals and recognise the potential benefits it offers.”
The Wärtsilä FOS integrates with the ship’s planning station and ECDIS to link separate shipboard processes within the platform, using cloud computing power, machine learning, data analytics, and mobile applications to connect the vessel, its operator, and the port.
The system can be used to optimise voyage planning time, view automatic weather optimisation pop-up alerts, manage remote ECDIS diagnostic support, and provide improved route and speed selection.
“Efficiency is central to everything in today’s marine business, and the efficiency of voyage planning, tracking, management and reporting is considerably enhanced with the Wärtsilä FOS,” said Alex Van Knotsenborg, Global Sales Director at Wärtsilä Voyage.
“The technology digitally connects the ships to their shore base, eases navigation, and supports the crew in selecting the optimal route.”
