WINDWARD, the predictive intelligence company applying AI to transform global maritime trade, announced the launch of its Data for Decarbonisation Program (D4D).
The program is a partnership aimed at increasing transparency and fostering collaboration within the maritime industry by leveraging the power of big data and AI.
Windward said the program will ignite participation across the maritime ecosystem including financial institutions, shipowners, insurers, charterers, and energy companies. Existing members include ADNOC Logistics & Services, ASM Maritime, Executive Ship Management, SOKANA Shipping, and Interunity.
“Alternative fuel options have still not reached widespread adoption and have a long timeline for development,” Windward said in a statement.
“By coming together as an industry and pooling best-in-class vessel operational data as well as AI and fuel consumption data, it is possible to affect the trajectory of the industry’s carbon emissions by 5%-20% on a per-voyage basis.”
The program aims to create large datasets gathered from all stakeholders in the maritime trade industry to build AI models that will accurately predict the carbon emissions of any vessel voyage, and optimise the whole pre-fixture process – including vessel selection, contract clauses, and supply chain scheduling.
Current solutions are based on static and historical data, primarily on vessel specifications, and lack the high level of accuracy needed in this space. Often they do not consider variables such as weather, a vessel’s operational profile, ballast/laden status, the ballast leg, and hull fouling.
“Data for Decarbonisation will not only see the creation of a solution but will also bring value to members by accelerating the learning curve of understanding their own data, enabling them to better optimie their own assets,” the company said.
“The program also benefits the industry at large by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between data scientists, bankers, shippers, IT specialists, commercial teams, and ESG teams.”
The program will enable shipowners to cut fuel costs by optimising vessel operations without depending on the coverage of expensive IoT devices and hardware, and allows them to compare their fleet to others.
Charterers will be able to optimise their pre-fixture vessel selection by choosing the optimal performing vessel, optimising the ballast leg, and during the post-fixture phase adapting a smart ETA and laden speed to real operating conditions.
Freight forwarders and beneficial cargo owners will be able to measure carbon shipping performance for every container, accounting for the particular vessel and projected route of every shipment thus offering end customers a “green premium” option of low carbon shipping.
Trade financiers will be able to independently verify the environmental impact of financing decisions thus exercising sustainable trade financing.
Ami Daniel, CEO and co-founder of Windward said, “The answer to reducing carbon emissions lies in the power of many.
“Regulation is necessary, but the solution needs to come from within to ensure that the global supply chain continues to function and garners the trust of the general public.
“The maritime shipping industry is headed to decarbonisation. Those that invest in sharing data and insights now will benefit from the advantages of an accurate model trained specifically for the industry’s unique operations.
“Together we can realise a solution that will allow all stakeholders to analyze, predict, and price their carbon footprint, improve their bottom line, and accomplish a carbon-free future.”
