Optimizing Vessels’ Fuel Efficiency: A Data-Driven Case Study

Jun 18, 2024 | Case Studies

Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs) face unique challenges when optimizing fuel efficiency and operational practices. Streamlining operations to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact can be challenging with a diverse fleet serving various offshore activities. However, implementing fuel efficiency measures can significantly reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Reduced fuel consumption directly correlates to a lower carbon footprint, aiding compliance with environmental regulations and supporting global sustainability efforts. As a provider of data-driven solutions, we have worked with many clients to enhance their fleet’s fuel efficiency. This case study delves into how our fuel efficiency program has resulted in significant fuel, cost, and environmental savings on our client’s fleet.

Overview

In this case study, we examine the results of our fuel efficiency program across an average of +50 vessels, including W2W, USV, AHTS, FSIV, PSV, MPSV, and Survey Vessels.  Learn how our Marine & Data experts analyze data from these vessels and provide our client with monthly reports, showcasing the substantial savings achieved.

Our digital solutions provide a data-driven approach tailored to our client’s operational needs, encompassing:

  • Design-Based Consumption Models: Our experts developed AI-driven consumption models tailored to each vessel type, providing real-time insights into fuel consumption per activity.
  • Best Practices Implementation: We identified and implemented “Best Practices” for each vessel based on its design and operational context, optimizing engine configurations, speeds, and operational modes.
  • SisterShips Comparison System: Leveraging data from sister ships and vessels with similar characteristics, this system facilitated accurate benchmarking of vessel performance, enabling targeted optimization strategies.
  • Data Integration and Cross-Check: Integration of data from various sources to validate consumption models and declared consumption, ensuring robust cross-checking of data.
  • In-Depth Monitoring and Investigation: Our experts continuously monitored fleet performance, identifying deviations from best practices, and investigating root causes to provide tailored recommendations for improvement.

We provide daily, monthly, and yearly reports that monitor fuel consumption trends, including reported consumption (via StreamLog), estimated consumption (by our models), and sensor-tracked consumption (EFMS, AIS, weather).

OSVs are vital to offshore operations but are significant fuel consumers due to their varied and demanding operational profiles. To understand how improvements can be made, our team follows a structured assessment approach depending on the vessel’s operational context:

  • In Transit (To port, to field, interfiled): Define the best engine and speed combination for the most optimized fuel consumption.
  • On Field (Standby): Encourage vessels to operate in the most economical mode based on context (e.g., availability of buoys and anchors). Conduct studies on installing mooring buoys in shallow or deep waters. For standby within or at the 500m zone, understand the reasons and ensure its feedback, then encourage vessels to return to normal standby, outside 500m, if possible. 
  • In Port (Standby): Help vessels perform standby in port alongside or at anchorage by promoting the use of harbor generators, auxiliaries, or shore power.

To illustrate, below is a graphic representing the operational profile of our client’s fleet for one month. As shown, In-port Standby (Idle) and On-field (Idle) operations constitute 29% of each of the fleet’s main activities.

The Results

In this report, the overall fuel saved in December is significant, especially for On-field operations, the fleet’s major activity:

Want to dive deeper? Just fill out the form below to download the full case study:

Read more in our blog about fuel efficiency in field transits.

If you haven’t yet, check out our latest video about Fuel Efficiency:

Time to Upgrade your Offshore Fleet? Listen to your Data

As the offshore industry rebounds from the recent market downturn, vessel owners are in a pivotal moment. While the market shows signs of recovery, owners are hesitant to make large investments in new vessels, concerned that overcommitting could leave them vulnerable...

Episode 3 – From Maritime law to business Leadership, Damien Bertin

In our third episode of "Maritime with a French Accent", we discussed with Damien Bertin, Opsealog's Business Development Director. Discover his unique journey from law to maritime business development. Damien shared how his early career path—from studying maritime...

A step-by-step approach to designing your data reporting framework

Navigating the complexities of data standardization can transform how vessel operators manage their fleets. Data standardization involves creating consistent formats and structures for data, making it easier to share, analyze, and use across different systems and...

5 Key Metrics for Maritime Fleet Optimization

In the maritime industry, fleet optimization is no longer just about cost efficiency—it's about staying competitive, meeting environmental regulations, and ensuring operational excellence. With increasing pressure from rising fuel costs, tighter emissions regulations,...

Creating Value from Data Standardisation

A guide on how emerging data standardisation initiatives will revolutionise the offshore support vessel market Opsealog is at the forefront of maritime innovation, advocating for the critical role of data standardisation in the offshore industry. Our latest white...

Opsealog partners with Azule Energy to reduce emissions from OSV fleet

Digitalisation project will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a total of 33 Offshore Supply Vessels by up to 10%. Marseille (France) and Luanda (Angola), 27th of August 2024 – Opsealog, a provider of data integration and analysis services for the...

Optimize Your Fleet: A Guide to Choosing the Best Offshore Supply Vessel

In the competitive world of maritime and oil & gas operations, optimizing fleet performance is essential for reducing costs, enhancing efficiency, and minimizing environmental impact. This blog explores key strategies for fleet optimization, backed by a real-world...

Global Analysis of OSV Market – 2024 Report

Introduction to the OSV Market The Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) market is a critical component of the broader maritime industry. OSVs play a pivotal role in supporting offshore exploration, production, and construction activities. These specialized vessels provide...

BOURBON and Opsealog partner to reduce fleet emissions through data-driven fleet optimisation

Picture credit: Bourbon The agreement follows a successful pilot with 25 Offshore Support Vessels, which saved an average of 45 to 50 tonnes of CO2 per vessel each month. Marseille, 18th of July 2024 – Enhanced fleet monitoring and data-driven optimisation will be...

Concrete Ways to Improve Vessel Operational Efficiency with Data

During a webinar hosted by The Digital Ship, on June 27th, 2024, Malo Sergent, Global Account Manager at Opsealog presented concrete ways to improve vessel operational efficiency with data. You will hear 3 use cases from Offshore Support Vessels, relevant to...