Dry bulk shipowner Berge Bulk reports that it has adopted the Wayfinder platform from San Francisco-based maritime technology firm Sofar Ocean across its fleet of owned vessels, including its new vessels equipped with wind propulsion technology.
The dynamic voyage optimisation system will be used to reduce fuel and emissions, leveraging marine weather forecasts powered by Sofar’s global network of ocean sensors alongside data-driven vessel performance models.
Wayfinder provides dynamic route and RPM guidance that accounts for variations in weather, market, and vessel performance, ensuring vessels remain on the most efficient path to port.
“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.”
Berge Bulk’s adoption of the new software is the latest in a series of decarbonisation initiatives aimed at achieving zero scope 1 emissions fleetwide by 2050. In the past year, the company has equipped two ships with wind propulsion technology, both of which will also use Wayfinder to maximise the benefits of the sails.
“Better weather data and forecasts are a cornerstone to unlock superior vessel performance models and voyage optimisation,” said Tim Janssen, co-founder and CEO of Sofar Ocean.
“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.”
