Weather Routing Simulator

State-of-the-art Software for education and training

Ship routing on basis of the weather forecast is of growing importance in modern shipping. Reasons are increasing need of fuel optimisation, accuracy of arrival time and a growing market for transport of vulnerable goods in the globalising economy. Furthermore, for the marine transport sector the possibility of cost savings on sea fastening and cargo reinforcements is continuously considered while damage to cargo and delays due to cargo salvage must be minimised.

Education and Training Tool

Modern Nautical Colleges consider the training of students in weather forecast based ship routing an indispensable part of their curriculum. The Nautical Colleges of Flushing, Antwerp and Terschelling have joined with TNO and MARIN (in developing) this PC-based training system for ship routing. The look and feel of the system is quite similar to that of actual on-board decision support systems as in operation by e.g. heavy lift shipping contractors. The PC tool allows the student to simulate a ship on a given route and apply route modifications on basis of forecast weather.

Bad weather areas can be judged (using computed ship motions) and –if needed – be avoided by re-routing or by going for shelter in harbours or shelter coasts. What vessel types can be operated in the system: • Containership 200 m • General Cargo Ship 150 m • Bulk or Oil Carrier 300 m

M A R I N P.O. Box 28

6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands

T +31 317 49 39 11 F +31 317 49 32 45

E info@marin.nl I www.marin.nl

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2/15

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SG4

Weather forecast in simulator

The simulator makes use of Ocean Weather Inc. IMDSS forecast database covering 10 years of weather from 1995-2004. The forecast weather can be projected with the dead reckon vessel position on the route. The PC simulation allows (passing) through good weather passages in fast automatic simulation mode and have manual control in parts of the voyage where routing has to be applied. Slow down, increase power and adapt heading to achieve more favourable motions are options available for safe overseas voyage trainees.

Example screen picture of forecast weather in WRS PC tool

Weather patterns, source:NOAA

Training tool

These options make the WRS PC tool quite realistic and practical for training of ship personnel in shipping companies or transport contractors as well as for student education in Nautical Colleges.

Teacher’s role

Teachers at Nautical Colleges have their own part of the software in which they can prepare protected training or test cases for their students. The preparation tool comprises intelligent search functions in the weather database to select challenging cases and a separate ‘Debriefing’ routine allows them to evaluate the students’ results individually or in classroom.

How can you get this

The WRS system will be license-protected. Users of the system will become members of a User Group to get support, maintenance and upgrades. For more information please contact the department Maritime Software Group; Mr. Rob Grin T +31 317 493 911 E R.Grin@marin.nl