Berge Bulk adopts Sofar’s technology to boost efficiency of wind-assisted ships

August 14, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

Singapore-based dry bulk shipowner Berge Bulk has decided to install Wayfinder platform, developed by San Francisco-based maritime technology company Sofar Ocean, across its fleet, including new vessels equipped with wind propulsion technology.

As informed, Berge Bulk will use Wayfinder’s dynamic voyage optimization to save fuel, time, and emissions. The technology uses accurate marine weather forecasts — powered by Sofar’s global network of ocean sensors — and data-driven vessel performance models that are continuously calibrated.

Berge Bulk’s adoption of Wayfinder is the latest in a series of decarbonization initiatives aimed at achieving zero scope 1 emissions fleetwide by 2050.

In the past year, the shipping company equipped two ships, Newcastlemax vessel Berge Olympus and Valemax carrier Berge Neblina, with wind propulsion technology. With the newly installed rotor sails, Berge Neblina is expected to save more than 1,000 tonnes of fuel annually, according to Berge Bulk.

Wayfinder will be used on both sail-assisted vessels to maximize the benefits of the sails on efficiency.

As Berge Bulk outfits more vessels with wind propulsion and invests in additional decarbonization initiatives like alternative fuels, it will use Wayfinder to help measure and optimize the performance of each new technology.

“Using innovative technology to boost vessel efficiency is key to our ‘Maritime Marshall Plan’ for decarbonisation,” said James Marshall, founder and CEO of Berge Bulk.

“Sofar’s Wayfinder helps us understand fleet performance and importantly improves the vessels route optimisation as we aim for a zero-emissions fleet.”

“By reducing uncertainty in the weather predictions, Wayfinder delivers significant efficiency gains immediately and does so voyage after voyage, saving an average of 4—6% on fuel and emissions,” said Tim Janssen, co-founder and CEO of Sofar Ocean.

“We are excited about the role of Wayfinder in supporting new technologies to drive the energy transition and look forward to partnering with Berge Bulk on its journey to decarbonisation.”

“Better weather data and forecasts are a cornerstone to unlock superior vessel performance models and voyage optimisation,” added Janssen.

“Our partnership with Berge Bulk is built on this philosophy and we are committed to help prepare its fleet for a present and future defined by decarbonisation. We know that there is no silver bullet for getting to net zero, but are confident that voyage optimisation is a stepping stone technology to support the efficient rollout of new, green technologies.”

As part of its decarbonization strategy, Berge Bulk recently ordered two 210,000 dwt ammonia dual-fuel vessels in China. The order was placed at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry.