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NAVTOR believes it has “simplified the complexity” of FuelEU Maritime with a major update to its NavFleet ship operations platform. Released now, NavFleet 2.1 boasts the ability to automate extensive “well-to-wake” calculations, delivering a front-end user experience that is both easy to understand, and rich in regulatory and business insights. The solution, featuring enhanced visual upgrades and fully integrated digital logbooks, provides seamless data validation and verification. It empowers owners to accurately calculate penalty costs and generate comprehensive EU Statements that summarise compliance with CII, EU ETS, and FuelEU Maritime requirements, including penalties and balances. It is, says NavFleet Product Manager Tor Håkon Svanes, “an intuitive, easy pathway” for achieving compliance under the new regulatory framework. Setting standards “We have been working exceptionally hard, so our customers don’t have to,” comments Svanes. “FuelEU Maritime is a complex regulation that demands the kind of calculations, and a wealth of data, that is completely new for the industry. It sets a standard for future regulations, creating transparency and accountability around GHG intensity and emissions, but also heralds a headache for owners and operators that aren’t prepared." “The costs involved – for both non-compliance and errors in calculations – could be huge, and will get bigger as time progresses, so intelligent solutions that capture, utilise and quality check data are essential. NavFleet 2.1 is as intelligent as smart shipping gets.” EU voyage statements Compliance data is validated both automatically and by unique domain experts, for complete peace of mind The new solution does all the “heavy lifting” in the back end, presenting simple-to-understand insights on two main dashboards. These show fleet overviews, individual vessels, fuel consumption (both within and outside the EU), GHG intensity KPIs, emissions in relation to EU voyage statements, penalty costs, and much more, in addition to EU ETS information. Compliance data is validated both automatically and by individual domain experts, for complete peace of mind, before being sent through the system to verifiers, such as DNV Veracity. Understanding of GHG Intensity Reports can be produced at the touch of a button, with detailed evidence to create an understanding of GHG Intensity balance and penalty costs at the end of the voyage. This provides a vital tool for passing on penalty costs to charterers under FuelEU Maritime, in addition to the existing capability to allocate EU ETS allowance costs already in place. Voyage of improvement NavFleet 2.1 provides the seamless integration of digital logbooks, allowing onshore teams to access real-time data “We see this as the pill that cures those potential regulatory headaches,” Svanes states, “while also providing the understanding shipping companies need to evaluate compliance options – today and far into the future.” Alongside the FuelEU Maritime innovations, NavFleet 2.1 provides the first seamless integration of digital logbooks, allowing onshore teams to access a wealth of real-time data and unlock further levels of monitoring, insight and optimisation right across fleets. Svanes calls it “a milestone of integration in NavFleet’s continual evolution.” Further improvements include fresh notifications, enhanced vessel monitoring parameters, and a new style of visual presentation where fleet activity and data can be shown on an interactive globe. This can be used by management teams, but also as a “big screen” feature for offices, lobbies and reception areas to showcase global operations. Evolution of NavFleet “In totality, we see this release as a major step forward for ourselves, but also for onshore teams that want a new level of understanding, situational awareness and control,” Svanes concludes. “Next year will see us continue the evolution of NavFleet, refining it to meet industry demand and solve our customers’ most pressing fleet management pain points.” NAVTOR, which is headquartered in Egersund, Norway, is the world’s pioneering smart shipping and maritime technology provider, with products and services on over 18,000 vessels. Alongside NavFleet, the team delivers planning and voyage platform NavStation, as well as a connected ecosystem of digital solutions.
Change is on the horizon. On 1 January 2025, FuelEU Maritime arrives, and with it a whole new approach to measuring, and reducing, the fleet emissions. To ensure compliance, flexibility and strategic business advantage they have to act now. But how? What are the foundations for success in a new regulatory reality? How can they turn complexity into smooth sailing, and profitable decision making? NAVTOR’s Jacob Clausen has some easy answers. 1. Ensure they Are Collecting the Right Data The framework measures the GHG intensity of energy used by ships trading within the EU Every regulation demands data, but none quite like FuelEU Maritime. The framework measures the GHG intensity of energy used by ships trading within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) across the full “well-to-wake” spectrum. This means you need systems to accurately track fuel consumption and emissions data across the entire lifecycle of the fuel (not just on a “tank-to-wake” basis, as with EU MRV). This requires sophisticated data collection way beyond basic manual inputs. Forget Excel; intelligent data capture is the way forward. 2. Track Fuel Usage by Source to Compute GHG Intensity Those intelligent systems should be integrated not just across the fleet, but also the fuel suppliers. To ensure compliance they must have a deep understanding of their fuel sources, tracking all consumed energy step-by-step, all the way from initial extraction right through to onboard combustion. A joined-up approach is essential, for both compliance and optimal business value (nobody wants to pay unnecessary penalties). 3. Understand the Fleet's Current GHG Intensity With a 2% reduction target for 2025, operators should aim to cap GHG intensity at 89.34 gCO2e/MJ by that year They can only plan the voyage when they know the point of departure. So understanding where the fleet currently stands in relation to the 91.16 gCO2e/MJ regulation baseline is absolutely essential. By calculating the fleet's GHG intensity now, they can better plan for the necessary reductions. With a 2% reduction target for 2025, operators should aim to cap GHG intensity at 89.34 gCO2e/MJ by that year. And remember the scale continues sliding, with a 6% reduction by 2030, tapering down to an 80% cut by 2050. 4. Evaluate the Compliance Options Each fleet and operation is unique, meaning that the most cost-effective compliance solutions vary. That means you need to evaluate options based on the specific situation: Fuel Mix: Transitioning to low-carbon fuels, such as biofuels or LNG, can reduce GHG intensity. Shore Power: Using shore power when docked can minimize onboard fuel consumption and emissions. Wind-Assisted Propulsion: Installing wind-assist technologies, such as suction or rotor sails, can cut fuel use, contributing to reduced GHG emissions. Banking, Pooling, or Borrowing: These mechanisms allow for strategic management of emissions allowances. Operators with surplus allowances can bank or pool them for future use, while those facing deficits can borrow allowances to avoid penalties. Penalty Consideration: When alternative fuels or technology investments are too costly, evaluating the cost of non-compliance penalties may provide a stopgap measure. 5. Plan Ahead now to Manage Cost Exposure Legally, compliance with FuelEU Maritime comes into force on 30 April 2026, when 2025’s figures are digested Legally, compliance with FuelEU Maritime comes into force on 30 April 2026, when 2025’s figures are digested. This can create the illusion that there’s plenty of time. There’s not. Delaying decisions to the last minute will leave operators vulnerable to higher costs and fewer options, while planning ahead creates insight and opportunity. Those with surplus emissions reductions can consider banking or pooling their allowances, while those anticipating compliance challenges must plan ahead for alternatives such as biofuels, shore power, or borrowing allowances. A proactive strategy not only reduces risk, but positions the fleet for long-term sustainability – both commercially and environmentally. Advent of FuelEU Maritime There is a great deal of confusion, and some consternation, with regards to the advent of FuelEU Maritime. However, with the right solutions, partners and planning they can simplify this complex regulation and sail compliantly into a more sustainable, and profitable, future. But the time to act is now. Get in touch with NAVTOR to find out more about safe, secure and cost-effective compliance.
Say goodbye to scribbled handwriting, disjointed data sources and a huge administrative burden, and hello to simple mobile solutions. NAVTOR continues its drive to “make life easy” for vessel crews, management teams and shipowners with the next generation of digital logbooks. Amitabh Sankranti, Shipping Analytics Director at NAVTOR, explains. Logbooks. One word with a million associations; and most of them far from positive. Essential tools for compliance, treasure troves of data, these volumes are rapidly turning into relics from another age of shipping, with the majority of vessel crews still writing into paper books, or inputting into basic spreadsheets, that stand isolated, unloved and underused. Open to human error, difficult to share or validate, and majorly admin intensive (and therefore inefficient), surely there’s a better way to do things in the era of ‘smart shipping’? Single digital platform Well, what if they could just use their mobile phone? Or a tablet or laptop? What if all those countless logbooks were brought together on a single digital platform, securely sharing data, auto-filling fields (so crews could do more essential tasks), and mirrored to onshore offices for better operational insights, analysis, and empowered decision-making? And did they mention complete compliance? They’d like to say, ‘welcome to the future’, but it’s really ‘welcome to the now’. This is a reality now. And, as they can probably tell, it is transformational. The power of possibility Since forming in 2011 NAVTOR has been on a mission to make life easy for the shipping industry Since forming in 2011 NAVTOR has been on a mission to make life easy for the shipping industry, developing digital innovations that take the strain off crews, while delivering powerful business benefits for shipping companies. As they can appreciate, logbooks have been a preoccupation of theirs. They now offer a comprehensive range of connected, customisable and compliant (with extensive Class and Flag approval) logbooks that are intuitive, configurable to all individual requirements, and easy – both to use and to extract value from. They offer: real-time checklists; the ability to gather data from sensors, GPS and navigation sources for automated inputs; instant reports (ensuring easy compliance and charter agreement transparency); and one standardised, validated source of high-quality data. All of this is enabled and supported by NAVTOR’s secure digital ecosystem, currently supplying and servings the products and solutions to over 18,000 vessels in the world fleet. What’s more, it’s mobile. Setting new standards They don’t need to tell them that mobile devices are a cornerstone of modern society. They are integral to life on land, and offer huge potential on vessels, especially when it comes to digitising traditional tasks. As such they see mobile availability as a major step forward for logbooks. With a free, secure and intuitive app now available on both Android and iOS stores, they can make inputs Instead of noting entries down manually – which, remember, often has to be done in environmentally or operationally challenging conditions (the perfect breeding ground for input omissions and errors) – crew members can simply use their phones. With a free, secure and intuitive app now available on both Android and iOS stores, they can make inputs, complete checklists and create tasks, reminding watchkeepers about which logs to prioritise. A real breakthrough innovation is provided with the ability to dictate inputs, with crew members simply speaking to the logbook to input necessary data. This is a game-changing simplification of administration for crewmembers, especially when working in difficult conditions under stress. It is the epitome of the drive to make life easy for the industry, setting a new standard that, they believe, will eventually become the norm. Simply better Digital logbooks, however, are themselves not the norm just yet. But that will change. From a regulatory perspective, the IMO enabled the use of electronic logs in October 2020, on a voluntary basis, with many of the most forward-thinking owners moving to assess and adopt them in the years that have followed. They saw the same introduction process with ENCs and ECDIS, as an initial enablement and understanding then opened a pathway to a final mandate. When looking at the development of the industry, the pressures on stakeholders and the benefits of transitioning from paper to pixels, they see absolutely no reason why logbooks won’t follow the same route. And soon. But even if they’re not mandatory yet, they’re simply a better way of doing things. They save time, effort and money. They are accurate, reliable and simplify compliance. They are easy to use, reducing training costs, and streamlining auditing. They enable live tracking of vessel tasks and operations, empower better (and proactive) decision-making, and build trust through complete transparency. And they can empower all this with a phone. Logbooks don’t have to relics. They can be the foundations for smarter, more compliant and sustainable fleet-wide operations. They can be the future. They believe it’s time for everybody to log on.