Advancing Maritime Efficiency: Njord's Panel on Vessel Performance Solutions

Hosted by Frederik Pind, the Managing Director of Njord, a green technology entity collaboratively founded by Cargill, Mitsui, and Maersk Tankers.

Njord hosts a Live event titled "Navigating Vessel Performance Enhancement," focusing on the crucial role of technology in optimising vessel operations and enhancing transparency in performance metrics. As a leader in maritime innovation and the integration of technologies, Njord adeptly assesses, designs, and installs tailored energy-saving solutions for the shipping industry. Our experience uniquely positions us to dive into the nuances of vessel performance management.

The discussion seeks to clarify the importance of high-quality sensors and high-frequency data collection in providing detailed and actionable insights into vessel performance. The event also explores the strategic implementation of these technologies to ensure regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Key discussion points from the event include:
The Importance of Data Quality and Transparency: High-quality sensors and high-frequency data are fundamental in providing transparency over vessel performance. This transparency is essential for shipowners to steer their operations effectively and meet regulatory standards while achieving cost savings.

Technological Solutions to Enhance Vessel Performance: The event showcases various technological solutions, such as thrust meters, mass flow meters, and advanced analytics, which help in accurately monitoring and improving vessel performance. Emphasis is placed on the integration of these technologies to provide a comprehensive view that aids in decision-making.

Continuous Improvement and Technological Adaptation: A recurring theme throughout the discussion is the need for continuous improvement in vessel performance through proactive data usage and technological adaptation. The maritime sector is rapidly evolving, with new challenges and regulatory demands, necessitating ongoing investment in innovative solutions that not only comply with current regulations but also prepare for future changes.

This event highlights Njord's commitment to aiding the maritime industry in navigating the complexities of modern vessel performance management, ensuring shipowners can maximise their operational and environmental efficiencies. Through our holistic approach and market integration, we empower shipowners with the technologies and strategies needed to thrive in a dynamic landscape.

Our panel brings unique expertise and technological advancements to the table, reflecting Njord's commitment to enhancing maritime operations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

The "Navigating Vessel Performance Enhancement" Live event assembles an expert panel, each member bringing specialised expertise and unique insights into the world of vessel performance solutions. Their collective knowledge underscores the importance of a multi-faceted approach in addressing the challenges and exploring the opportunities presented by modern vessel performance technologies.

Ossi Mettälä: Serving as Product Manager at NAPA Shipping Solutions, Ossi contributes over a decade of experience in the shipping industry, emphasising digital solutions for voyage optimisation and performance monitoring. His work aims to minimize the carbon footprint of shipping through rigorous R&D, enhancing energy efficiency via ship system simulations, onboard audits, training, and consultations. Ossi’s academic background in Naval Architecture and ongoing MBA studies enrich his practical and strategic view on maritime innovations.

Michael H Schmidt: As the head of vessel performance at Miros Mocean, Michael brings extensive expertise in naval architecture and vessel performance optimisation. Miros Mocean, under his guidance, focuses on data-driven performance systems using advanced radar-based technologies to measure environmental and vessel operational metrics. His efforts are crucial in providing ship owners and charterers with precise data to optimise vessel operations and assess energy-saving measures effectively.

Christian Nicolas True: Christian, the Senior Vice President of Danelec Connect and IoT Business, leverages over 15 years of experience in maritime and software sectors, with notable tenures at IBM, Maersk, and ZeroNorth. His expertise spans commercial shipping, software sales development, and maritime digital transformation, focusing on integrating high-frequency data hardware with advanced software solutions to enhance vessel performance monitoring.

Steen Jacobsen: As the Technical Director of Njord, Steen offers nearly four decades of experience from Maersk, driving significant advancements in fuel efficiency, new building supervision, and retrofits. His comprehensive knowledge in fleet technology and fuel optimisation provides practical insights into the real-world challenges and opportunities of implementing advanced performance solutions in maritime operations.

The combined expertise of Ossi, Michael, Christian, and Steen provides a comprehensive perspective on vessel performance enhancement, spanning from digital innovation and data-driven insights to technical and operational advancements. Their varied backgrounds ensure a thorough exploration of the complexities involved in modern maritime operations, emphasising innovative solutions to address challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

This panel exemplifies Njord’s dedication to driving meaningful conversations and actions in maritime sustainability, leveraging the depth of knowledge and experience from industry leaders to steer the sector towards a more efficient and environmentally friendly future.


Leveraging Integrated Technologies for Enhanced ROI in Maritime Operations

The ongoing discussion on vessel performance solutions underscores a strategic emphasis on integrating advanced technologies to address challenges in maritime operations. The conversation provides a comprehensive roadmap, highlighting the necessity of holistic, data-informed approaches to technology adoption amidst the evolving landscape of maritime sustainability and regulatory frameworks.

Key Discussion Points on Technology Integration:

Data Quality as a Cornerstone for Performance Insights
: Steen emphasizes the pivotal role of data quality, supported by Christian's mention of advancements in digital twin models and the importance of harnessing accurate data for effective decision-making.

Reflections on Technological Evolution and Its Impact: Steen compares the tools from his early days to the current sophisticated software solutions presented by the panel, noting significant advancements like Miros Mocean's radar technology for precise speed-through-water measurements, which he describes as a game-changer for the industry.

Implementation Challenges and Success Stories: Christian discusses the widespread adoption of technology, the challenges of installation aboard vessels, and the tangible benefits seen by owners who integrate these technologies. He highlights the importance of sensor data in providing foundational insights for operational improvements and the ongoing exploration of self-installable solutions to streamline implementation.

AI and Machine Learning in Enhancing Vessel Performance: The panel touches on the role of AI and machine learning in refining vessel performance monitoring. There is a consensus on the importance of high-quality, frequent data as the backbone of effective AI applications in maritime operations.

The Role of Edge Computing in Data Processing: The discussion explores how edge computing could potentially play a larger role in maritime operations by pre-conditioning sensor data before it reaches cloud-based systems, enhancing real-time data usage onboard vessels.

Integration of Different Technologies for Optimised Performance: The panel elaborates on how combining various hardware and software solutions can significantly improve vessel operations, such as the integration of wind-assisted propulsion systems with weather routing software to maximise fuel savings.

Maximising ROI Through Technology Combination: The panel underscores the importance of combining different technologies strategically to maximise return on investment (ROI). By aligning technologies such as real-time data analytics, AI-driven decision support systems, and hardware enhancements like energy-efficient propellers, shipowners can achieve greater fuel efficiency and operational efficacy. This integrative approach not only helps in meeting regulatory compliance more effectively but also in achieving a quicker payback period by enhancing overall vessel performance.

This discussion underscores Njord's commitment to advancing maritime decarbonisation through intelligent, integrated technology strategies. As the industry progresses toward a greener future, the insights shared by our panelists offer a practical guide for shipowners to navigate this transformation effectively and sustainably. Collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of both operational and regulatory environments are crucial for harnessing the potential of new technologies and fuel solutions, steering the maritime sector towards enhanced sustainability and efficiency.