---

Fleet optimization specialist Applied Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT), has announced the launch of an upgrade to its BonVoyage (BVS) marine voyage optimization software, which it says can help reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions.

The California-based firm said the upgrade makes it possible for ships to receive route recommendations from AWT's shore-based experts in graphical format within BVS on-board software.

"The significance of the upgrade is that captains and crew members who view route recommendations graphically within BVS on-board software will more quickly and easily understand the rationale for the recommendations and be more likely to follow them, maximizing their potential to optimize safety and reduce fuel consumption, costs and CO2 emissions," said AWT.

According to the "Brief Summary of the Impact of Ship Emissions on Atmospheric Composition, Climate and Human Health" published by Eyring, Corbett, Lee and Winebrake, international shipping accounts for 2 to 4 percent of global C02 emissions. Also, researchers project that fuel consumption in international shipping will double within 25 to 30 years.

"If every ship routed by AWT closely followed our recommended routes, we estimate they could achieve a combined fuel savings of approximately 450,000 metric tons of fuel oil per year," said Skip Vaccarello, President and CEO of AWT.

"At current fuel rates, that translates to potential cost savings of over $180 million per year and reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 1,400,000 metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing 320,000 cars from the road."

"By combining the powerful on-board capabilities of BVS with the on-shore expertise of AWT's ship routing staff, the upgrade announced provides ship owners and operators with compelling new reasons to bring BVS aboard," said Richard Brown, vice president of business development, AWT. "The upgrade makes it easier than ever for captains to choose the routes that maximize safety, while minimizing costs and environmental impact from fuel consumption."

Previously, AWT's route recommendations were available only in text format, but now via the new upgrade, ships can receive the recommendations via BVS in graphical form that combines the latest data concerning weather and sea conditions.

According to AWT, Captains with this more detailed information have a better understanding of why AWT's shore-based fleet optimization experts are recommending a specific route and are more likely to take AWT's recommended route, which can help them achieve the maximum possible safety, fuel-efficiency and cost-savings, as well as reduce CO2 emissions.

Various reports by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and international research organizations from 2000 to 2009 indicate that significant fuel and emissions reductions can be achieved by weather routing. According to the Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships in 2000, vessels can potentially save approximately 2 to 4 percent in fuel by using weather routing.

In AWT's studies comparing fuel usage by ships following AWT's recommended routes versus fuel usage following the Captain's intended route, individual voyages have had fuel savings of up to 8 percent. For a ship that consumes 100 tonnes of fuel oil per day, a conservative 3 to 4 percent in fuel savings translates into savings of 3 to 4 tonnes per day. If the ship spends 200 days at sea and follows AWT optimum routes, it could save more than $320,000 annually and reduce greenhouse gases by over 2,400 tonnes each year, AWT said.

The new upgrade that combines AWT's route recommendations from its shore-based service with BVS' on-board software with up-to-date weather and current data is immediately available in all new installations of BVS and also available to existing BVS customers via a free and fast upgrade. It is also available for clients of ChartCo's MetManager global weather service.

The latest version of BVS also provides Captains with an advanced warning about threats of severe motions due to resonance, and integrates the latest technology used to determine ocean currents by offering forecast, real time Naval Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) current data.

For more information about BVS, please visit the address below:

http://www.awtworldwide.com/products/bon-voyage-system.asp