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FutureShip survey on Application of Ship Performance Management

In their quest for energy efficiency, ship operators focus on some well-known and widely used levers, such as slow-steaming, voyage optimization, or propeller and hull cleaning. However, some levers have remained largely unexploited and different fuel efficiency strategies are being pursued by major ship operators. FutureShip (a DNV GL company) and TUHH have now conducted a survey of ship performance management strategies and techniques to understand best practices in efficient ship operations.

The online survey focused on containership, tanker and bulker operators. A total of 114 operators were evaluated, 1/3 from “Northern and Central Europe”, 2/3 from “South East and South Asia”. The survey consisted of the following main topics:
•   General performance management (PM) system (frequency of data collection, methods of analysis, parties involved)
•   Voyage execution (approaches for voyage optimization, trim optimization)
•   Hull and propeller performance (performance monitoring methods, efficiency measures)
•   Main engine (data collection and analysis, efficiency measures)
•   Other systems (boilers, cooling water system, HVAC systems)
Not surprisingly, ship operators rated fuel efficiency as the most important objective of PM. In general, ship operators saw large potential in PM and rated the benefits of advanced PM systems as high. Voyage optimization, trim optimization and main engine performance were considered the most important drivers for better energy efficiency.

Despite understanding the potential benefits of better PM systems, most operators stated that they still apply yesterday’s approaches, such as manual data acquisition and “intuitive” trim optimization. Only a few trendsetters employed the current best business practices for all elements, such as:
•   Automatic acquisition of operational data and synchronization with shore-based databases
•   Advanced onboard routing systems equipped with hydrodynamic databases
•   Trim optimization methods based on CFD
•   Fuel meters based on mass-flow
•   Engine diagnostic software
This suggests significant room for improvement in current ship PM practice. The main hurdles for a better PM application seem to be the additional (personnel and capital) resources required and the often unclear interests and responsibilities between ship owners/managers and charterers regarding fuel savings measures.

In terms of the different ship types, container ship operators are most advanced in PM application, followed by bulker and tanker operators. Container ship operators:
•   implement advanced PM systems more often,
•   more often apply advanced onboard routing systems and trim optimization methods, and
•   are better equipped to collect main engine data.
One explanation is that the container fleet is rather young, and requires more sophisticated equipment to meet complex customer demands and flexible deliveries. Most PM methods are also generally better suited to container ships than to other ship types.

Ship operators with advanced PM systems were more sophisticated in the overall PM practice, e.g., in giving feedback to crews. Ship operators with dedicated PM teams also tended to implement efficiency measures more often and perceived challenges as lower, such as lack of commitment from crews.

In short, the survey showed that industry leaders embrace performance monitoring and performance monitoring makes industry leaders even stronger. Smaller players are in danger of being left behind unless they develop innovative PM approaches compensating for the obvious lack of resources.
Source: GL Group