Product update: enhanced hurricane and typhoon tracking
We have improved the tropical cyclone tracker within the Optimum Voyage platform, providing clearer visibility of developing hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms and tropical depressions.
The updated tracker helps vessels and shore-based teams understand how active tropical systems may develop in relation to planned and ongoing voyages.
Users can now review the forecast movement and expected intensity of each system directly within the same platform used for voyage planning and optimization.
Follow the complete development of a tropical system
The updated visualization presents the expected track of each system across the forecast period. Colour-coded positions indicate how the system is expected to develop, including changes between:
- Tropical depression
- Tropical storm
- Typhoon or hurricane categories
This makes it easier to understand not only where a system is expected to travel, but how its intensity may change as it develops.
The video below demonstrates a tropical system progressing across the western Pacific and approaching the Chinese coast.
Review development over time
A timeline at the bottom of the map allows users to follow the expected development of the system over the forecast period. This provides a clearer view of:
- Historical and forecast positions
- Expected movement
- Changes in storm intensity
- The timing of potential interaction with a vessel's route
- The system's expected proximity to coastal areas
Users can move through the timeline to review how the tropical system may develop in relation to the voyage.
Display the systems relevant to your operation
Several tropical systems can be active across different ocean basins at the same time. The updated tracker allows individual hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms and tropical depressions to be displayed or hidden separately.
This gives users the flexibility to:
- Focus on a specific system
- Compare multiple developing systems
- Remove systems that are not relevant to the voyage
- Maintain a clear operational overview
- Review tropical activity across an entire fleet
Each system can be selected directly from the tracker menu.
Detailed information directly on the map
Users can select a forecast position to review available information about the tropical system at that point in time. The tracker provides an immediate overview of details such as:
- System name
- Classification
- Forecast time
- Expected wind conditions
- Position and development
This allows operators to access the relevant information without leaving the voyage map.
Integrated with voyage optimization
The tropical cyclone tracker is part of the Optimum Voyage platform and does not operate as a separate weather application. Active systems can be reviewed alongside:
- Vessel positions
- Planned and optimized routes
- Weather forecasts
- Voyage progress
- Route alternatives
- Expected arrival times
- Vessel-specific safety limitations
The tracker provides situational awareness, while voyage optimization helps assess what the developing system means for the vessel.
Depending on the situation, this may include evaluating an earlier deviation, an alternative route, a speed adjustment or a revised expected arrival time.
Supporting earlier and better-informed decisions
Tropical systems can change speed, direction and intensity as new forecast information becomes available. Clearer visualization helps masters and operations teams identify developing risks earlier and understand how a storm may interact with the planned voyage.
The improved tracker supports that process by bringing forecast track, storm intensity, timing and voyage information together in one operational view.
The master remains responsible for the vessel's navigation and safety. The platform provides additional information to support decisions onboard and ashore.
Available now
The enhanced tropical cyclone tracker is now available in the Optimum Voyage platform. Users can display active hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms and tropical depressions, follow their expected development and review their relationship to ongoing voyages.
See the system. Understand its development. Optimize the voyage.