NAPA rolls out new CII simulation tool to fast-track energy-efficiency measures

Finnish maritime software and data services provider NAPA has launched its CII Simulator, a module of the NAPA Fleet Intelligence platform, to support the industry in taking a proactive approach to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).

As disclosed, the new tool uses a ship’s digital twin, together with data on its past and current routes and performance, to predict its CII rating for every sea passage or for any desired date during the year, such as at the end of the year, or after a given chartering period.

Specifically, NAPA CII Simulator can simulate the impact of different energy efficiency measures and operational profiles, such as weather routing or slow steaming, on a vessel’s CII rating.

The tool can also model the effect of installing energy-saving devices and hull cleaning, providing further clarity on what measures will deliver the most impact for a specific vessel.

“New regulations call for new ways of working, with digital solutions providing the objective insights needed to bring all stakeholders on the same page. While a degree of uncertainty remains about the full implications and implementation of CII, one thing is certain: if we are to make CII a success, we need collaboration, especially between shipowners and charterers,” Executive Vice President of NAPA Shipping Solutions, Pekka Pakkanen, stated.

“To make this collaboration happen in practice, they need a common platform where they can develop a shared understanding of how a vessel’s CII evolves throughout the year, and what can be done about it. This is where our NAPA CII Simulator comes in, delivering reliable analyses and predictions that help them make the best possible operational decisions together to improve the ship’s performance, and boost or maintain its CII,” Mr. Pakkanen continued.”

Developed by NAPA in collaboration with owners and charterers, the new CII Simulator will be an important tool to help action CII clauses in charter party agreements, according to the firm. The tool will also help avoid disputes and ensure that contractual obligations are met.

The CII measures how efficiently a vessel above 5,000 GT transports goods or passengers and is given in grams of CO2 emitted per cargo-carrying capacity and nautical mile. 

“While it’s still early days for CII, it’s clear that the industry will have to significantly change its ways of working to create real positive impact for the planet. At NAPA, we are proud to help the industry navigate this change with the launch of NAPA CII Simulator module to help the industry reduce its emissions while continuing to make commercially viable decisions,” Ossi Mettälä, Sales Manager at NAPA Shipping Solutions, added.

Last month, NAPA, together with classification society ClassNK and Marubeni Corporation, published a study revealing that voyage optimization can reduce emissions by 7.3% and extend CII compliance by up to three years.

The joint research was carried out using NAPA’s ship performance model and voyage simulation tools. It used data on all voyages, weather and ocean conditions in 2021 for a group of bulk carriers owned and operated by Marubeni.