Stena Line uses artificial intelligence to achieve fuel savings

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The following is text of a news release from Stena Line:

(GOTHENBURG, Denmark) — Stena Line's pilot project using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to predict the most fuel-efficient way to operate a vessel has proven to be successful, showing reduced fuel consumption of 2 to 3 percent per trip. The technology will now be launched on more vessels.

Reducing its vessels' fuel consumption is a priority for Stena Line, and the ferry company has a target to lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 2.5 percent yearly. Fuel is also one of the largest costs for a ferry company like Stena Line, at around 20 percent of total costs. AI technology has shown to be a successful solution to tackle these challenges and achieve the ambitious targets.

In 2018, Stena Line started a pilot project on board Stena Scandinavica on the Gothenburg-Kiel route using AI technology to predict the most fuel-efficient way to operate a vessel. The project enabled the captain and crew to save 2 to 3 percent on fuel per trip with AI assistance. The software is now named Stena Fuel Pilot and will be installed on five more Stena Line vessels during the autumn. The ambition is for a fleetwide rollout on all 37 vessels in Europe during 2020.

“Stena Line aims to become the worlds first cognitive ferry company, assisted by AI in all areas by 2021. This project is using AI technology to support our captains and officers to save fuel. By improving the efficiency, we reduce both our costs and our environmental footprint. It really embodies Stena Line’s vision of connecting Europe for a sustainable future," said Jari Virtanen, chief transformation officer at Stena Line.

“This is a result of a successful collaboration between man, woman, and machine; between people and technology; between a team of skilled software developers, data scientists, and finally a committed captain and his crew on Stena Scandinavica," Virtanen said.

Working side by side in this project, Stena Lines head of AI, Lars Carlsson, and senior master Jan Sjostrom from Stena Scandinavica has been key players in the success of the project. With more than 40 years of experience handling Stena Line’s vessels in a safe and fuel-efficient way, Sjostrom is looking forward to continue to share both his experience and his new insights about AI technology.

“Planning a trip and handling a vessel in a safe and, at the same time, fuel-efficient way is craftsmanship. Practice makes perfect, but when assisted by AI a captain or officer can improve how to optimise fuel quicker, in return, this contributes to a more sustainable journey," he said.

By Professional Mariner Staff