Page 54: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 2020)

Software Solutions: Containerships

Perfecting on-time performance

Recent reports show that on-time per- ers the software must communicate, in against contracts and volumes. Bunker formance in the containership sector real-time, up-to-date schedules and any costs and consumption are extremely continues to deteriorate, causing tension changes to all those who might be im- high on most operators’ agenda and the between the carriers and retailers. In pacted. need to monitor and manage different general, non-ocean carriers – trucks and Once implemented, and as each voy- grades of fuel is a more complex process trains – are achieving reliability rates age gets underway, the software must now that the International Maritime Or- well above 90% whereas containerships accept real-time updates from the ships ganization (IMO) sulphur cap is fully in rarely beat a 70% on-time threshold. themselves. AIS feeds, noon reports, force. Having software automate a large

For retailers, the threat of having empty arrival and departure notices and other part of this activity removes a headache shelves is beginning to swing the bal- information should be accepted directly for the vessel operator. ance from cheaper ocean transport to a into the software allowing the vessel op- With reliability issues continuing to need for reliable just-in-time deliveries erator to quickly identify if the vessel is creep into the containership sector, it is supplied by other transport modes. running to schedule or deviating from its important that carriers do all they can to

Delays and congestion at loading and planned voyage. mitigate the possibility of supply chain discharge ports tend to cause the most If a delay is identifed, clever software delays. Some issues are beyond the con- signifcant delays but at-sea issues also will allow the operator to lift the indi- trol of the carriers themselves, but other create disruption. Poor weather, machin- vidual voyage from the live operational factors can be handled and mitigated ef- ery breakdowns, navigational re-routing environment and run a series of alterna- fciently. Modern software solutions can and crew problems are all potential cul- tive scenarios to identify the optimum play an important role in assisting vessel prits. Carriers fnd it diffcult to mitigate measures to get the ship back on sched- operators in optimising their schedules port-related delays, but problems caused ule with minimum delay. Voyage and and minimise disruption when things at sea can be handled more effectively. routing instructions can then be passed go wrong. These powerful IT and soft-

Maintaining visibility over vessel sched- direct to the master. Getting an early in- ware facilities were once only available ules and individual voyages allows op- dication that a delay is imminent allows to those carriers with deep pockets and erators to take informed and rapid de- the carrier to inform all those likely to be wide-ranging resources. Today, how- cisions when things go wrong and this impacted, and this will go some way to ever, software is much more accessible goes a long way to improving reliability. help mitigate the problem. and should be utilised to help keep sup-

In today’s world of available global Aside from the likelihood of upset- ply chains moving and customers happy. communications, with readily accessible ting the cargo owner, delays also have – and affordable – software, container- the potential to add signifcant cost to ship carriers now have the opportunity a deviated voyage, particularly if more to install intelligent solutions that allow fuel is likely to be used. However, the them to more effectively monitor and same software used to simulate the voy-

The Author control their feet. age deviation options should also es-

The frst step is to create an effcient timate the impact on bunker consump-

Fischer and reliable schedule. Using a modern tion associated with any route and/or

Lars Fischer software solution, operators are able speed changes. The operator can then is Managing to take all relevant company data and trade these costs against the impact of

Director of marry this with distance tables and other disrupting the planned schedule. The

Softship Data external information to automatically software will advise if schedule changes

Processing generate a long-term schedule and work- will cause on-board bunker stocks to fall

Ltd, Singapore, a able ETAs. Using a range of simulated below a pre-set minimum and highlight wholly owned subsid-iary of scenarios, this schedule can be tested for where best to take on new supplies. Tak-

Softship AG, the leading provider of robustness, reliability and realism be- ing a further step, intelligent software software solutions to the international fore it is released for use. As all carriers might also link to a related facility to liner shipping sector. Softship is part of are in constant dialogue with a range of streamline the bunker purchase process the WiseTech Global group. outstations, partners, ports and custom- and, later, reconcile the bunker invoice 54 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • July 2020