Ocean Wave Analyzer,

An overview by Sang Aji J. Suseno

Ocean Wave Analyzer, thats so called, is an ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) based meteorological information management integrated with ship electronic routing chart and has plotting capability, this system is also called as EcoRo compliant ECDIS, ship equipped with Ocean Wave Analyzer/EcoRo may forward planned sailing route to the Japan Weather Association (JWA) by means of satellite link such as, Inmarsat, Iridium etc or through local GSM provider as long as available, later in 3 minutes after planned route is sent, JWA recommended route is received, recommended route is mainly made by considering weather condition, it may has some route alterations or waypoints change, the first objective of this alteration is to provide ship with least meteorological hazards that may harm the voyage such as Tropical Depression, Gale and Typhoon. Expected that by following recommended route, a ship may sail safer and could reduce fuel consumption, this is the second objectives that could increase efficiency in ship operation, surely it means more benefit to ship operator, and the goal of those objectives is the less fuel consumption the less exhaust gas emission , therefore Ocean Wave Analyzer/EcoRo ECDIS is a bridge toward Green Shipping Operation. Below is a brief about Ocean Wave Analyzer installed onboard MV PERKASA, reported on voyage from Teluk Bayur to Tanjung Priok: 1. EcoRo Installation

Figure 1. EcoRo ECDIS onboard MV PERKASA

Fig 2. EcoRo ECDIS connection onboard MV PERKASA

2. FEATURE The main feature of EcoRo ECDIS is its capability to: A) Perform weather information comprising of : Wave Height and Direction Wind Speed and Direction Current Direction/Drift

Fig 3. Screenshot EcoRo ECDISshowing wave height information in periodical cycle

Fig 4. Screenshot EcoRo ECDIS showing wind direction information

Fig 5. Screenshot EcoRo ECDIS showing current direction/drift

B) Send planned route to JWA, this feature enables navigator to send planned route to JWA to be reviewed based on weather condition to gain optimum economic route.

Fig 6. Screenshot of window to upload and send planned route

Fig 7. Planned route is shown in red line and a recommended route is shown in orange line. (This is an actual route of MV PERKASA
voyage from Teluk Bayur to Tanjung Priok, Jakarta and an actual received recommended route from JWA.).

C) Send engine data ; RPM Exhaust gas temperature Fuel consumption, etc

D) Receive recommended route from JWA, that could be a consideration for shorter and safer route.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Fig 8. (a), (b), (c) and (d) showing a planned route (red line) and a recommended route (orange line) for a passage crossing Sunda strait ( Indonesia HO chart number 71)

559.1 nm

Fig 9. showing total distance of original/planned route

494.0 nm

Fig 10. showing total distance of recommended route In this case the recommended route is only 494 nm due the remaining route is not yet calculated by JWA, it only reaches waypoint of Tempurung, approxiametely 50nm from Tanjung Priok. 3. PERFORMANCE REVIEW In general, an EcoRo ECDIS have a significant improvement than a common ECDIS, this help navigator to plan more efficient route, yet it still has some limitation, likely: Ship draught and ship length are not considered to make a recommended route, while deep draught vessels ( tanker, VLCC and bulk carriers) are significantly affected by drift/current speed and direction, and also need to avoid ship from grounding. Recommended routes for some area could not be applied/be followed due to local maritime activity (traditional fishing boats, fishing nets and some other uncharted survey/construction works). As its linked to satellite communication system for automatic route updating every 6 hours consequently rise airtime cost, this will be an extra cost for ship operator. Information about Low Pressure, Tropical Storm, Gale and Typhoon are not available in the weather forecast.

4. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Based on review above, expected future development may consider the following: Ship draught and ship length to be considered for route calculation and is necessary to avoid ship from grounding. Possibility of switching system from satellite link to local GSM. Weather forecast shall better cover warning of gale, low pressure, tropical storm and typhoon.

5. CONCLUSION EcoRo ECDIS could give more optimum benefit especially for ocean going liner/tramper due many recommended routes could be selected and be used for much shorter and efficient navigation route. Remember, that shorter route is not always safer. Consideration shall be made to compare fuel efficiency and airtime raised cost, which may become contradictive to ship operation cost in general.

6. REFERENCE This article is written based on: Master/Navigator feedback according to their experience and competencies. Technical specification of EcoRo system onboard. Actual sea trial condition onboard MV Perkasa on her voyage from Padang to Jakarta.

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