AWT Weather Routing/Routeing: Applied Weather Technology

Route of the Month: Westbound Routing from Gibraltar Strait to New York Saves 2.5 Days and 165 MT of Fuel Oil; Avoids 11 Meter Head Waves

By George Schlinkert

This month we have identified a particularly interesting route to highlight due to a storm track that shifted southward. It is well known that winter time transit across the Atlantic can be subject to severe wind and wave conditions. AWT often sees Captains' intended routes along options passing south of the Azores.

In some weather situations, this southerly option can avoid storms to the north and high seas over the Grand Banks. However, in the example here which occurred during December, 2009, opportunities existed to confidently clear north of the central ocean storms and storms forming off of the southeastern United States. The following was sent by AWT to the master after passing Gibraltar Strait:

NOW RECOMMEND: AS SAFE NAVIGATION PERMITS, GC 45N 040W, GC 45N 058W, DIRECT AMBROSE PILOT VIA NORTH OF SABLE ISLAND, CAPE SABLE AND NANTUCKET LIGHT

CAPTAIN, BASIS LATEST FORECAST, NEW RECOMMENDATION IS DESIGNED TO PASS NORTH OF THE HEAVIEST ADVERSE CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH STORM (1) EXPECTED BETWEEN 38N-30N AND WEST OF 030W BY THE 17TH/18TH, THEN THE RECOMMENDATION IS EXPECTED TO MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO FORECAST STORM OFF THE UNITED STATES EAST COAST WHICH IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE HEAVY W/NW-LY SEAS/SWELLS (SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHTS 9+ METERS) EXPECTED BETWEEN 42N-30N AND EAST OF 060W BY THE 21ST/22ND.”

During this time period, AWT routed several ships where the master had intended routes approximating the southerly option here. In this example, the master closely followed AWT's recommended route and avoided the 11 meter head waves which prevailed to the south.

At least 2.5 days of sailing time were saved along AWT's recommended route. This vessel, which was consuming 66 metric tons (MT) of fuel per day, saved about 165 MT of fuel oil by following AWT's route. At the approximate bunker cost of $500 USD per ton, the savings totaled $81,250 USD. The environment was spared about 505 MT of CO2 emissions which would have occurred had the Captain taken the southerly route. However, the price of AWT's service was less than $1000 USD, making the company's return on investment very high.

Clearly satisfied with the service, the master commented on arrival, "Much appreciated for your professional guide during crossing North Atlantic Ocean!"

At AWT, we encounter this scenario often and never fail to find it very rewarding that we can save our customers time and fuel, helping them to reduce CO2, as well as improve crew safety and morale.

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