Weather Routing

For vessels that cross large open seas such as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, it is worth designing routes that will allow them to burn as little fuel as possible and to make the trip in the shortest possible time. This process can be automated and optimised by means of special software known as weather routing programs. Such programs utilise weather and wave forecasts for the ocean regions concerned, together with methods for calculating the speed of the vessel in high seas. In collaboration with the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, MARINTEK has developed a number of weather routing programs.

We anticipate that in the future, such programs will also take into account other relevant criteria, such as the danger of cargo damage, hull fatigue and so on, as well as speed itself. Routing programs will also be integrated into a vessel’s own  navigation system, together with other systems that help the captain to choose the most appropriate course and speed in order to avoid causing damage to the vessel and its cargo.