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| Skip Vaccarello |
First, I want to thank our subscribers for your positive reaction to the release of BVS 6.0, AWT’s voyage optimization software, which was announced in last month’s issue of AWT Insights and for your compliments on the video we included in that issue. If you have not yet viewed the 5-minute video the link to it appears just to the right of this column.
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| Clearly, weather routing and an on-board software application like BVS provide enormous benefits for trans-ocean voyages. The benefits include safety and fuel and time savings. What many do not know are the benefits on coastal voyages. George Schlinkert, AWT’s VP of Operations, in the article below gives a specific example of the savings that can accrue using BVS. |
| In the second article, Rich Brown, AWT’s VP of Product management, describes how AWT is effectively using Google Earth™ as one of its applications to monitor ships at sea. |
| We welcome your feedback. |
Thank you,
Skip Vaccarello |
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AWT’s Route Highlight
by George Schlinkert |
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| George Schlinkert |
The route from the U.S. Gulf or the Caribbean Sea to Brazil seems like a simple route. In the absence of hurricanes, a vessel would generally be sailing through the easterly trades. Weather routing services are frequently not provided; however, ship operators may at times be sacrificing a significant portion of their operating costs to the adverse Guiana Current without even knowing it. |
| In this real life example (see photo below), no weather routing services were provided. The ship sailed along the direct route. Unfortunately for the vessel operator, this took the vessel directly into the most adverse ocean currents generated by the Guiana Current. |
 With vessel speeds reduced by 3+ knots at times, the route added 12 hours in comparison to an alternate route passing east of this region, where the vessel would have actually achieved a benefit from a counter-current. AWT utilizes this high resolution ocean current data when providing our weather routing services, and makes this data available to ship captains through our BVS software. The newest version, BVS 6, was recently released and the attached image is from this latest release. |
| By not using BVS’s current data, fuel costs for the voyage were increased by about 4%. In the current economic and environment climate, can an operator afford to add 4% to their operating costs? |
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Fleet Monitoring Through AWT
by Rich Brown |
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| Rich Brown |
AWT utilizes several methods to assist our clients in monitoring their ships at sea. Our Fleet and Weather Portal is used extensively by many clients interested in tracking their ships by way of routing or polling, or to determine the position of their fleet in relation to prevailing weather. They can also monitor their vessel’s performance for speed and consumption. Similarly, they can use an office version of our BVS software to accomplish the same tasks. |
| However, AWT is also integrating our data with other technologies in order to maintain our leading position in the field, dedicated to helping shipping companies efficiently monitor and optimize the utilization of their fleet. Look for announcements from AWT as these features come on line in the future. |
 An increasing number of our clients are using, or have plans to use Google Earth™ in order to monitor their fleet. The attached image is a snapshot showing how AWT is helping our clients utilize that technology by showing the ship tracks overlaid on the forecast of pressure, winds, waves (brown and orange), and currents (green). Our clients can view detailed data concerning the voyage such as distance/time sailed and to go, estimated time of arrival as well as calculations regarding the vessel’s performance and consumption. |
| Clients running Google Earth can access eight days of weather and wave data either by FTP or via a web-link to AWT servers. The AWT fleet information can then be utilized by clients’ in-house monitoring programs. Ships being polled by AWT, or through other companies such as Purple Finder™, can be tracked as well. |
| read more > |
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BonVoyage System
Marine voyage optimization system provides 24/7 on-board weather…
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BonVoyage System & Ship Routing
The combination of BonVoyage System & AWT's ship routing services…
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Fleet Management
Quickly monitor your fleet & ensure they are operating efficiently & safely…
more > |
Ship Routing – Earliest Arrival
Our weather routing experts recommend the optimum route analyzing…
more > |
Ship Routing – Fuel Optimization
Improve schedule integrity & minimize fleet's fuel consumption…
more > |
Tracking/Polling
Tracking & automated satellite position polling service locates vessels…
more > |
Offshore Support
Pre-departure route planning & forecasting en-route…
more > |
Arbitration Support &
Forensic Studies
AWT has prepared numerous reports for use in arbitration & legal venues…
more >
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| AWT (www.awtworldwide.com) is the leading provider of fleet optimization services, ship routing services and onboard voyage management software to ship owners, operators and charterers seeking the safest and most efficient routes for their fleets. Unlike companies that provide weather services for multiple industries, or companies which only offer onboard weather software, AWT is staffed by world-renown experts in ship routing, meteorology, IT, maritime science and former mariners who are focused solely on the maritime industry. Using the most sophisticated technology available, AWT routes more ships per month than any other company. Its superior customer service and integrity have made AWT the most trusted fleet optimization provider in the maritime industry. Founded in 1996, AWT is privately held and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with worldwide offices located in the UK, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Korea, Germany, New York, and New Jersey. More information is available at www.awtworldwide.com or by calling 1-408-731-8600. |
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