Manta Marine Technologies (MMT) has secured the 400th vessel contract for its automated propulsion optimisation system, FuelOpt.
The latest contract is subscription-based and was signed with JJ Ugland for an installation onboard the 60,000 dwt bulk carrier, the Jorita.
Richard Engelhart Bjercke, MMT CCO said: “We are very proud to have signed our 400th FuelOpt contract — each of which is a testament to the trust companies and crews have put in us. Our industry is rapidly working towards a greener and more sustainable future, and we are eager to enable that process with a range of solutions that can offer real results that meet operators at their needs while continuing to advance their commercial interests.”
FuelOpt allows vessels to achieve steady and predictable shaft power, removing costly variations caused by human operational factors and freeing crew up to focus on other essential tasks. Once the crew enters the desired setpoints and activates the system from the bridge panel, the system dynamically controls the propulsion output, ensuring that power is always optimised based on the settings defined and changing environmental conditions.
Fuel-agnostic, FuelOpt can be utilised on vessels using conventional or alternative fuels, making it a safe choice for ship owners looking to futureproof their investment. The system integrates easily and assists with fuel and emissions reporting, and can be deployed alongside AI technologies for routing. For vessels with hybrid technologies, such as wind assisted propulsion, the automated optimisation system assists the vessel in dynamically maintaining a target state, automating adjustments to account for changes in surrounding conditions while consuming minimal fuel.
The system operates onboard vessels with FP propellers such as the Jorita as well as vessels with CP propellers to provide the greatest amount of thrust with the least expenditure of power.
Gordon Eugen Andersen, Technical Manager Ugland Marine Services, said: “By placing energy-efficiency and lowered emissions at the heart of our commercial strategy, Ugland Marine Services is committed to advancing in line with shipping’s ambitious decarbonisation targets. The installation of FuelOpt onboard the Jorita is a key step in this journey, and we look forward to working closely with Manta Marine Technologies in the future to unlock the full range of benefits associated with this technology.”
Independent testing has confirmed that FuelOpt can provide fuel savings of 10% and more, a key consideration for operators as fuel costs continue to rise. The maximised and efficient use of fuel assists operators in compliance with increasingly stringent emissions reductions regulations like the EU ETS and the CII.
Bjercke said: “We pride ourselves on a collaborative customer experience. We have an expanded fleet performance team to help our customers maximise benefits from our products and services and also work closely with classification societies, such as DNV, to verify savings onboard.”
Image: Tanker ‘Jorita’ (source: Manta Marine Technologies)
