Weather routing services for ships
Daily weather routing for all major commercial vessel types. Route and speed are optimized together using vessel-specific consumption models and forecasts up to 15 days ahead.
Each recommendation is reviewed by experienced maritime professionals and sent directly to the Master, with updated routing advice every day of the voyage.
How our weather routing service works
Ship weather routing at Optimum Voyage follows one loop: optimize before departure, advise daily while at sea, verify after arrival.
Pre-departure optimization
Optimization begins up to 48 hours before departure. The recommended route, speed profile and commercial impact are shared with the shore-side operations team before the voyage begins.
Daily routing advice
A new optimization is run every 24 hours using the latest available forecasts. Daily routing advice is sent to the Master, together with weather analysis and an RTZ route file for import into ECDIS.
Daily commercial report
Fuel, time and cost implications for the remainder of the voyage are sent to the shore-side operations team, together with comments from the Optimum Voyage operations team.
Post-voyage verification
After arrival, reported performance and encountered conditions are reviewed against the optimized plan. The end-of-voyage analysis documents fuel consumption, time, weather exposure and voyage performance.
Route and speed optimized together
Traditional weather routing often starts with a fixed speed and optimizes the route around it. Optimum Voyage optimizes both at the same time: up to 1 million route and speed variations are tested for every active voyage, using vessel-specific consumption models, draft-dependent performance data and directional weather analysis.
This makes advanced weather routing more than storm avoidance. The optimum voyage balances fuel, time, cost and safety, and is recalculated as forecasts and operating conditions change.
Weather routing for all major commercial vessel types
Tankers, bulk carriers, container vessels, gas carriers and other commercial vessel types are routed daily, both laden and in ballast.
Tailored consumption models
Modelled per vessel, not per class: consumption varies with draft and with the direction of wind and waves.
Global voyage visibility
Dynamic AIS updates every 15 minutes, with enhanced coverage in the South China Sea and English Channel.
Charterparty-aligned routing
Advice takes the agreed CP speed and consumption warranties into account, keeping routing recommendations aligned with the vessel’s charterparty performance requirements.
Daily re-optimization and vessel updates
Why owners and operators choose us as their weather routing company
Optimum Voyage combines algorithmic optimization with experienced maritime professionals who monitor every vessel in service. Our operations team is available seven days a week, applying operational judgement and weather routing expertise to every voyage alongside the technology.
TORM combined in-house BI data, weather insights and Optimum Voyage optimization technology to improve voyage efficiency, while Masters retained final navigational authority.
Frequently asked questions about weather routing
What is ship weather routing?
Ship weather routing uses forecast weather, ocean conditions, vessel performance data and operational constraints to identify a safe and commercially efficient route and speed profile for a voyage.
How often is each voyage re-optimized?
Each active voyage is re-optimized every 24 hours using the latest available forecasts, vessel position, operational instructions and reported performance data.
Does the Master retain final navigational authority?
Yes. Optimum Voyage provides routing recommendations and commercial analysis. The Master retains final responsibility and authority for the safe navigation of the vessel.
What information is required to start a voyage?
Typical appointment information includes the vessel name and IMO number, draft and condition, departure and destination ports, ETD, required ETA where applicable, fuel prices, daily hire or cost of time, relevant charterparty requirements and any operational limitations.
Which vessel types can use the service?
The service supports major commercial vessel types, including tankers, bulk carriers, container vessels and gas carriers, in both laden and ballast conditions.
How does weather routing support charterparty performance?
Routing advice can account for agreed charterparty speed and consumption warranties, weather criteria, daily consumption targets and required arrival windows, helping align operational decisions with commercial obligations.
What reports are sent to the vessel and shore team?
The Master receives daily routing advice, weather analysis and an RTZ route file for ECDIS. The shore-side operations team receives commercial reporting covering fuel, time, cost and route alternatives for the remainder of the voyage.
Don’t take our word for it. We’ll re-optimize a voyage you already sailed, on the forecasts available at the time, and show you exactly what was left on the table.
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