Dynamic Navigation and Port Call Optimisation in Real Time
European maritime transport policy emphasises the criticality of a well-functioning waterborne transport system as a key element towards realising sustainable economic growth in Europe. An important part in this equation is a required transition to low- or zero-carbon fuels. However, if one is to succeed on such a pathway, eventually leading to net zero emissions by 2050, more energy-efficient ship and port operations are crucial. The need for such operational changes becomes particularly evident when looking at today’s operations, where the prevailing practice is commonly referred to as “the hurry up and wait syndrome”. Here, ships often sail between ports as fast as possible to secure terminal and berth availability, frequently ending up waiting for days, sometimes weeks, on anchorage outside ports. As of congested waters, not only does this have a negative impact on navigational safety, but energy-wise it is also a highly sub-optimal way of operating a ship. One main reason for this is that most ports still operate on a first-come first-served basis. Hence, cutting emissions from making changes in modus operandi should clearly be attainable. This potential for improvement is backed up by numbers, and according to the World Bank, around 15 percent of ships’ greenhouse gas emissions on average are associated with port operations. In addition, as merchant ships spend on average 5% on their operational time waiting at anchorage, there is also an untapped potential to reduce emissions at sea from converting this waiting time into slower sailing time, estimated at up to 25 percent. As a direct response to this challenge, this paper presents a viable way forward by introducing the EU-funded DYNAPORT project method on how to facilitate “just-in-time” arrivals, and thereby as a contribution towards realising more energy efficient ship operations and port call optimisation. Key aspects are seamless digital coordination between ships and ports, optimisation tools that ensure safe voyage optimisation planning with energy optimal sailing given weather conditions and ship performance data, and an arrival time to the berth that has been agreed on by all shore actors, including the port, terminal and the ship representative. This includes new port call processes that are supported by standardized communication and early exchange of reliable data between ship and shore, enabling seamless coordination between all actors.