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California-headquartered Applied Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT), has announced that the Odfjell Group, a leading company in the seaborne transportation and storage of chemicals and other specialty bulk liquids with around 90 ships in its fleet, recently selected AWT's routing services and onboard voyage optimization system to help Odfjell enhance safety and efficiency, as well as reduce fuel consumption, costs and carbon emissions.

During the first 90 days of implementing AWT's optimum ship routing services onboard approximately 65 tankers, Odfjell is said to have seen a benefit with a number of vessels steering clear of severe storms, potentially preventing significant ship damage and/or crew injury.

AWT was able to show time savings of 30 sailing days and a reduction of approximately 1,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil during this 90-day period. This equates to fuel savings of US$475,000 and a reduction in carbon emissions of 3,000 metric tonnes. As the period in question did not involve the entire fleet, savings are expected to increase in the future.

For the shipping industry overall, AWT routes more than 35,000 voyages per year. The company's staff of weather routing experts recommend the safest, most time-efficient or fuel-efficient routes by analysing key variables including wind, sea and ocean currents as well as vessel type, age, stability, cargo and speed.

"We believe AWT's shore-based service and onboard software will help us protect the crew and cargo, reduce heavy weather damages, provide more accurate vessel scheduling, curb emissions and ultimately reduce fuel costs - a winning proposition for our company, customers and the environment," said Erik Hjortland, Advisor, Ship Performance and Bunker Management.

"We commend Odfjell for its commitment to maximising safety and efficiency while minimising fuel consumption and related carbon emissions," said Skip Vaccarello, president and CEO for AWT. "We are pleased and honored that the company chose to leverage AWT's state-of-the-art technology to help accomplish these goals."

Hjortland added that Odfjell chose AWT over competitors because of the company's responsive customer service and innovative marine voyage optimisation technology. Through extremely close cooperation, it is now possible for Odfjell's onshore managers to view AWT's recommended routes and compare them to Masters' intended routes, whilst also seeing key data such as the ships' estimated times of arrival, speed, and the latest weather and current conditions expected en route.

This access to information, rationale and understanding enables Odfjell's onshore managers to encourage ship Masters to follow the recommendations as appropriate.