11 Apr 2022

NAPA, the maritime software, services, and data analysis provider, will work with ClassNK and Japanese general trading company Marubeni to assess what fuel and carbon emission savings could be achieved through voyage optimisation.

Fleet Intelligence platform

NAPA will use its Fleet Intelligence platform to retrospectively analyse the impact of EEXI using the actual vessel performance across Marubeni’s fleet and compare it against similar fleets. ClassNK will provide its expertise in verification, analysis, and accuracy.

Based on this, NAPA will predict how well the Marubeni vessels will be able to perform in the future with reduced propulsion power and remain competitive in the market from 2023 onwards when new EEXI and CII requirements enter into force.

Optimise fleet operations

With no need for hardware installation onboard vessels, the platform can easily analyse past performance

The cloud-based NAPA Fleet Intelligence platform combines NAPA’s expertise in naval architecture with many years of data on actual sailed voyages and weather conditions, using NAPA’s unique performance model to generate insights.

With no need for commissioning or hardware installation onboard vessels, the platform can easily analyse past performance and optimise fleet operations. This will enable NAPA, ClassNK, and Marubeni to analyse the effect of EEXI requirements on Marubeni’s fleet in terms of transportation capacity, CO2 emissions, and fuel consumption.

NAPA Voyage Optimisation

NAPA will also calculate Carbon Intensity Indicators (CII) for vessels using historical operation data and predict how much performance can be improved with the state-of-the-art weather routing system, NAPA Voyage Optimisation.

Mr. Naoki Mizutani, Managing Director at NAPA Japan, said, “Reducing emissions is a strategic priority for fleets around the world, and with so many options on the table, it makes sense to start by finding out what is achievable by just optimising voyages, without the immediate need for any new fuels or technology."

Reduce emissions

Naoki Mizutani adds, "As future fuels are likely to be expensive, fleets should be looking at how they can reduce fuel use in the first instance by operating more efficiently. However, given the multiple commercial incentives at play, this is no easy task, not to mention factoring in weather and ship-specific requirements."

"Investing in rigorous analysis at the outset will help Marubeni chart their course through the huge number of decisions that will be required to reduce emissions and remain competitive in the long term.”

Digital solutions

We hope that this joint study will contribute to improving the maritime industry’s carbon footprint"

Mr. Takayuki Hase, General Manager of the Ship Department at Marubeni said, “It is a very exciting opportunity for Marubeni to collaborate with NAPA and ClassNK on this joint study that will help reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption."

"We hope that this joint study will contribute to improving the maritime industry’s carbon footprint through digital solutions for shipping operations.”

Improving carbon footprint

Mr. Yoshimichi Sasaki, General Manager of the Digital Transformation Center at ClassNK said, “Given that actual vessel performance will play a more pivotal role in shipping operations, ClassNK is very glad to be involved in this project."

"I hope that the initiative among three parties will be able to propose a model to utilise the actual vessel performance and extend its implementation in the maritime industry, leading to a low carbon world.”