Improving the operational efficiency of vessels, voyages, and transport systems is key to reducing emissions now and paving the way for the uptake of zero-emission fuels in the future. By improving efficiency, shipowners and operators can reduce the overall energy demand of their fleet, saving avoided fuel costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The cost of transitioning to zero-emission fuels in turn can be significantly lowered by simply requiring less of the more expensive (relative to traditional fossil based) fuels.
The Global Maritime Forum has taken this “triple win” as the basis for its Operational Efficiency initiative, where extensive industry conversation has explored different action areas: data collection and transparency; contractual changes; pilot projects; full value chain collaboration; and culture and leadership.
This insight brief sets the scene for a more in-depth exploration of port call optimisation strategies, outlining their key characteristics and considerations. Two primary strategies dominate the discussion: just-in-time (JIT) arrivals and virtual arrivals (VA). Both are focused on adjusting a vessel’s speed based on port readiness; in other words, ensuring that ships arrive when berth space and nautical services are available, reducing unnecessary waiting times whilst maintaining the overall duration of a voyage.