GAC partners Swedish meteorological authority to offer weather routing services for the maritime industry

The GAC-SMHI Weather Routing partnership, which is the second unit to be formed under the auspices of GAC Solutions, combines GAC's strengths in commercial development and global network, with state-owned SMHI's expertise in meteorology, hydrology and oceanography.

Christer Sjödoff, Group Vice President, GAC Solutions says the alliance promotes a total concept that optimises today's available meteorological and oceanographic information, resulting in safer sea transportation and cargo handling; lower bunker consumption; realistic ETA planning; as well as minimised impact on the environment.

"Safe, profitable shipping is largely about the impact of the weather on the vessel and cargo, and selecting the optimum route," says Svante Andersson, SMHI Weather Routing Global Sales Manager. "Since weather plays such a crucial factor in planning and monitoring, our objective is to provide shipping principals with a far sounder basis when they make decisions for activities that rely on the weather and sea conditions."

The GAC- SMHI weather routing portfolio covers services from the basic to the most advanced level, enabling customers to choose based on their requirements. Briefly, the services are:

-Onboard Weather Routing is a route planning system which combines the best of onboard routing in the market with marine meteorological skills ashore. The software assesses the effects of various choices of routes, makes general calculations of performances in terms of speed, fuel consumption and ETA; as well as detects situations which are potentially dangerous. These daily ship-to-land reports enable captains to make optimal decisions regarding route planning that provides the best possible conditions and profitability.

-The Fleetweb system provides up-to-the minute tracking of vessel positions, intended routes and calculated ETA, thereby improving the dialogue between the marine meteorologist and the ship for a safer voyage.

-The Post Voyage Analysis tool provides a detailed performance report upon voyage completion. The PVA enables careful monitoring of entire fleet performance based on analysed wind, wave and current information with calculation methods adjusted to specific requirements.

Mr Sjödoff adds that these customised weather routing services may be offered separately or as part of an integrated service package which can include ship agency, bunker supply, and logistics services for ship spares or other necessities.