‘VoyagOR’ Project Seeks Shipping Participants

Shipping companies are being sought to assist the ‘VoyagOR’ project, which aims use route optimization systems to make shipping operations more cost-effective.

The VoyagOR project team is keen to engage with businesses that stand to benefit from improved route Optimization.  A better understanding of such companies will help the project develop VoyagOR to best meet user requirements.

VoyagOR utilizes a cloud-based voyage optimization system to provide a support tool to achieve fuel and emissions savings on short sea routes as well as improved scheduling.

The system aims to improve fuel efficiency by combining high resolution tidal current models with optimal tidal windows. By integrating wind and wave data, more precise Estimated Times of Arrivals (ETAs) can be generated, specific to the size and draft of vessel.  Additionally, improved ETAs enable more economical scheduling of berths at destination ports. 

VoyagOR’s cloud-based software operates on desktop and mobile devices and the ‘Proof of Concept’ development has been carried out in conjunction with a leading RoRo/Cargo Shipping Line.  

The project, is part funded by Innovate UK and Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), will be launch a web-based demonstrator of VoyagOR showing a generic model operating with relevant current data and real-time weather information for the Irish Sea to Rotterdam route.

The next phase of work will extend the system’s capability by adding a range of ship type profiles. 

The VoyagOR consortium partners are recognized leaders in their fields: AIMES Grid Services (leading Innovate UK and European Space Agency Projects), Tidetech (technology used by America’s Cup Race Management and the successful Australian Olympic Sailing Team); Liverpool John Moores University.