
Shipowners are saving 6-8% per voyage on fuel using real-time data from onboard sensors to generate actionable insights for optimising engines, streamlining routes and cleaning hulls
According to Oceanly general manager and vice president Frederik Lerche-Tornoe, cruise ships can lower fuel consumption, and thus emissions, by an average of 6% per voyage on a specific route. And he says LNG carriers using its tools have achieved 8% fuel savings on average.
Data from these ships is analysed to deliver information to owners, who can use this to monitor hull performance and maximise hydrodynamic efficiency. Ship operators can also ensure optimal performance of onboard machinery and auxiliary systems through real-time monitoring and improve voyage planning and execution for maximum efficiency.
“By combining these tools with operational insights, we help shipowners optimise machinery operations, reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions,” says Mr Lerche-Tornoe.
Oceanly provides software and consulting services to address specific operational challenges, and tailors its tools to meet diverse use cases across different vessel types.
Cruise fleet case study
Oceanly has been working with MSC Cruises since 2021 to enhance operational efficiency across the passenger shipping fleet. By the end of 2022, MSC had deployed Oceanly’s performance package on all its ships to monitor and optimise the hotel load, engine utilisation and to enhance emissions reporting.
MSC uses Oceanly to optimise fuel efficiency, for environmental compliance and overall vessel management, and it enables data collection and analysis, providing insights for more intuitive decision-making.
A landmark achievement of this partnership was facilitating the first net-zero cruise voyage with MSC Euribia in 2023, demonstrating how this technology can be used for sustainable cruise operations.
Tools are provided for fuel budgeting, Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) forecasting, engine monitoring and emissions reporting. Bunker and consumption information was added in 2024 with an interface with SAP, and there are efforts to interface with NAPA for ship stability, OpNet for port operations and others for voyage optimisation.
In another sector, Norwegian shipping company Odfjell has integrated Oceanly’s shaft power limitation (ShaPoLi) technology on its ships. This is designed to intelligently limit shaft power based on dynamic operational data to maintain compliance with emissions regulations by optimising fuel consumption.
Odfjell is using Oceanly software to replace some of its current Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) engine power limitation processes, which can have a restrictive impact on access to necessary engine power, especially during acceleration.
The ShaPoLi technology offers a more adaptive and responsive power management option, aligning with guidelines in certain jurisdictions, such as the Port of Houston, that prioritise the ability to override power limiters in emergency situations.
Mr Lerche-Tornoe said improving ship efficiency through data analytics is more effective at present than preparing for alternative fuels at reducing overall emissions.
“Focusing on immediate improvements in energy efficiency across the global fleet offers a more achievable path to reducing emissions now,” he explained to Riviera.
“We are not saying green fuels are not part of the future; they absolutely are. But they are not the quick fix many hope for,” he continued.
“First, we need to address the current inefficiencies in our fleet, ensuring shipping is ready for a future powered by renewables. There is a need for balance.”
Mr Lerche-Tornoe points out that, according to DNV’s Maritime Forecast, shipping cannot meet 2030 targets using carbon-neutral fuels alone and the sector must instead focus on the energy-efficient technologies and practices available today, such as wind-assisted propulsion, advanced hull lubrication to reduce water resistance, waste heat recovery systems, and more efficient engine designs.
“Improving energy efficiency across the global fleet is the most important step we can take in the short term,” says Mr Lerche-Tornoe. “By improving how we manage and reduce energy use now, we can prepare for a smoother shift to renewable energy when it is widely available.”
This article was written by Martyn Wingrave and originally published on the Riviera Maritime website.