Tag Archive for: Ship optimization

Getting the desired CII value for any voyage

Captains and fleet operators can now decide on a CII value for a voyage and have the optimal propulsion plan executed automatically. There is no need to run simulations beforehand, or for the captain to make continuous manual speed adjustments during the voyage.

The Chief Engineer has full control of the engines status. The system is optimized to ensure the best combination for  engines RPM in combination with the propeller pitch resulting in minimized fuel consumption for the voyage.

CII mode voyage optimization in real-time

Swedish marine tech company Qtagg is releasing an update to its voyage optimization system EcoPilot that introduces a CII mode. Using the CII mode, the ship arrives at its destination with a predetermined CII rating.
EcoPilot is already an established solution, that saves fuel, decrease emissions and optimizes propulsion efficiency on ro-ro, ro-pax and cargo ships. Using the just-in-time arrival mode, proven fuel savings are about 7%. Using interactive on time arrival, it is possible to achieve an additional 20%. This means better CII rating and predictable result for each voyage.

Who will benefit from the EcoPilot CII mode? Ship owners and operators that want to control CII ratings of theirs ships, while not overcompensate by slowing down too much. They will be able to choose a CII value for every voyage and reliably target that outcome, says Tomas Lindqvist, CEO of Qtagg. Operators will be able to better maintain their yearly revenue per ship and be in full control of fleet performance.

In the fuel optimization system you can select different Control Mode. By selecting Carbon Intensity Index Mode. You move a slider and select the desired Carbon Intensity Rating for the planned voyage. EcoPilot calculate the optimized propulsion plan that achieves the selected rating.

Eco-driving with a track record

EcoPilot has been in operation for more than 10 years. It has different operational modes: arrival time, fixed ship speed, lowest fuel consumption or desired CII value.

The CII mode is the latest addition, developed in response to the new IMO regulations. The demand for our solution has been increasingly rapidly, and since the whole optimization algorithms were already in place, the addition of a CII mode was mainly about implementing another targeting model.

Tomas Lindqvist explains the main principles:  The propulsion plan is calculated based on the desired outcome and acknowledged by the captain. EcoPilot is connected to the governors and pitch controller for automatic execution of the propulsion plan. The plan is recalculated continuously, based on updated weather reports and ship progress. Changes in schedule can be sent directly to the system from onshore fleet operations center and once acknowledged by the bridge, the propulsion plan is optimized and updated.

The EcoPilot Shaft View gives a full overview of the engines RPM and Pitch, the real time fuel consumption and the ETA for the selected CII setpoint. The intuitive user interface makes it easy to select between more detailed  view for each engine or an overview of all engines simultaneously.

Automated propulsion control provides better results

What are the benefits with automated propulsion plan optimization? It is impossible to reach the same result trying to manually follow advice on ship speed, says Tomas. It is our integrated propulsion power control system that provides fuel savings, and predictable arrival times and CII values – all at the same time. Also, this is not a tool for simulations – it is an actual working control system.

About Qtagg

Qtagg is a marine green tech company minimizing fuel consumption for vessels by providing automated systems for propulsion control. The system optimizes every voyage using Qtagg´s proprietary software for fuel savings and on-time arrival with desired CII rating. The captains and operators can execute their priorities and optimize fuel economy, cut emissions, and arrive on time, every time.

www.qtagg.com

For more information, please contact:

Per Österberg
per.osterberg@qtagg.com
+46 73 301 91 00

Download:
Pressrelease, Pic1, Pic2, Pic3
High-res pics available on request to the ORN office.

Total propulsion control makeover of Silja Europa

Qtagg recently secured an order on a total upgrade of Silja Europa’s propulsion control system, that will decrease the ship’s fuel consumption by 6% and CO2 emissions by 2096 tons yearly. The overhaul includes engine speed governors, fuel rack actuators, pitch control and voyage optimization with EcoPilot.

Silja Europa is Tallink’s largest cruise vessel with a gross tonnage of 59,912. Up until the summer of 2022 it operated on the Baltic Sea, between Helsinki (Finland) – Tallinn (Estonia). Since September 2022, it has been chartered out to the Netherlands and used to house migrants and refugees. The technical review made in preparation to bring Silja Europa into regular traffic again resulted in the decision to replace the complete existing propulsion control system with up-to-date technology, and to add EcoPilot for fuel-saving voyage optimization.

Voyage optimization, governors, actuators & pitch control

Qtagg will supply the EcoPilot voyage optimization system, with interfaces both at the bridge and in the control room, four DEGO IV engine governors, four ASAC actuators with control units, two pitch control units and the ancillary equipment needed for a complete and integrated installation.

The governors will be installed in the engine control room, replacing existing Woodward control units. The governors are connected to an application server and a system that visualizes fuel consumption and provides detailed logging.

The actuator control units will be mounted in the engine room, while the pitch control units are installed in the existing pitch control cabinet where it replaces the current analog rack.

Control and predictable fuel savings with AI eco-driving

EcoPilot provides the captain with exact control over the arrival time, while saving fuel in a predictable manner. The expected fuel consumption for a voyage is automatically calculated beforehand, based on the desired arrival time, selected route and current weather reports.  In the voyage planning process, the captain will know how much fuel will be consumed to bring the ship to its destination. He can choose to adjust the arrival time or to depart earlier in order to optimize fuel savings.

6% less fuel and emissions

The fuel savings are estimated to be about 6%, in line with savings recorded on Tallink Isabelle, where EcoPilot is already installed. The fuel savings are achieved through optimized propulsion, based on the collection and processing of large amounts of data, including real-time weather forecasts, sea state and ship data. Once the captain has selected a route it is executed through the propulsion control system, and the optimal propeller speed and pitch position is applied over the complete course of the voyage.

Annual CO2 reductions of 2096 tons

The expected annual CO2 reduction for Silja Europa is 2096 tons, which will contribute to a lower ETS cost in the future and a better CII rating for the ship.

About Qtagg

Qtagg is a marine green tech company minimizing fuel consumption for vessels by providing automated systems for propulsion control. The system optimizes every voyage using AI for fuel savings and on-time arrival with desired CII rating. The captains and operators can execute their priorities and optimize fuel economy, cut emissions, and arrive on time, every time.

www.qtagg.com

About Silja Europa

Vessel type: Ro-Ro/Passenger ship
Gross tonnage: 59,912
Length overall x Breadth extreme: 201.78 x 32 meters
Year built: 1993
Home port: Tallinn

About Tallink Grupp

AS Tallink Grupp is one of the leading providers of passenger and cargo transport services in the northern Baltic Sea region. The company’s fleet consists of 15 vessels and the company operates various routes under the brands of Tallink and Silja Line. Tallink Grupp’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Helsinki Stock Exchange.

For more information, please contact:

Per Österberg
per.osterberg@qtagg.com
+46 73 301 91 00

Download:
Pressrelease, Image Overview, Pic1, Pic2, Pic3, Pic4, Pic5.
High-res pics available on request to the ORN office.

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