Applied oceanography specialists Tidetech will be demonstrating significant fuel saving results on a recent route optimisation trial at the Green Ship Technology (GST) conference in Copenhagen next week.
The trial was performed with Carnival Cruises – six vessels trialled ocean current data systems for two months on their Caribbean routes affected by the Gulf Stream. At the end of the trial, the company made bunker savings of 1 to 4% when projected over the year.
Tidetech managing director, Penny Haire, said to World Fishing: “This equipment is not available anywhere else commercially. The ocean current data is derived from satellite information and is much more accurate than most prediction models. Our new global tidal stream models have the potential to offer unrealised efficiency on coastal routes around the world.”
The oceanographic data can not only pinpoint the best time to set off on a voyage, it can also improve ETA significantly with maximum fuel efficiency a top priority – an important issue for any commercial vessel.
Tidetech are now working on customising data delivery methods for everything from large merchant vessels, to smaller commercial workboats and the commercial fishing industry.
Australian based Tidetech was formed in November 2008 with the objective to create a commercial product based on a combination of the team's expertise in tactical oceanographic data, including tidal streams, sea surface temperatures and ocean currents.
