Windward, a company leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to reshape global maritime trade, announced the launch of its Data For Decarbonization (D4D) initiative, designed to enhance transparency and collaboration within the maritime industry. Through the program, a variety of marine stakeholders will participate, including shipowners, insurers, charterers, and energy companies. Some of the existing members are ADNOC Logistics & Services, ASM Maritime, Executive Ship Management (ESM), SOKANA Shipping, and Interunity.
Ami Daniel, CEO & Co-Founder of Windward, said, “The answer to reducing carbon emissions lies in the Power of Many. Regulation is necessary, but the solution needs to come from within to ensure that the global supply chain continues to function and garners the trust of the general public. The maritime shipping industry is headed to decarbonization. Those that invest in sharing data and insights now will benefit from the advantages of an accurate model trained specifically for the industry’s unique operations. Together we can realize a solution that will allow all stakeholders to analyze, predict, and price their carbon footprint, improve their bottom line, and accomplish a carbon-free future.”
Data for Decarbonization aims to create large datasets from all stakeholders in the maritime trade industry in order to develop AI models that can accurately forecast carbon emissions during vessel journeys, including selecting vessels, negotiating contract clauses, and coordinating supply chain scheduling. There is a general lack of accuracy in current solutions, which are based on static and historical data, primarily vessel specifications. There are many instances in which companies ignore variables such as weather, a vessel’s operation profile, ballast/laden status, ballast legs, and hull fouling.
Members of the Data for Decarbonization Program will be able to learn more about their own data so they can optimize their own assets, thereby increasing the value of the program. Additionally, the program benefits the industry as a whole by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among data scientists, bankers, shippers, IT specialists, and commercial teams.
The Data for Decarbonization Program will make it possible for owners of ships to cut fuel costs by optimizing crew operations without relying upon expensive IoT devices and equipment, as well as compare their fleets to others. With this system, operators could select the optimal performing vessel, optimize the ballast leg, and adapt a smart ETA, and laden speed to real-world operating conditions before and after a fixture.
