Fuel-saving ship route using the Navy's ensemble meteorological and oceanic forecasts. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, Peter C; Miller, Scott E; Hansen, James A
• Other Names: Anderson Bradley E. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of defense modeling and simulation. Volume 12:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 56
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Navy operational global atmospheric prediction system -- WaveWatch III -- Navy coastal ocean model -- brier score -- ensemble prediction -- fuel conservation and carbon reduction -- fuel consumption -- fuel-saving ship routing -- smart voyage planning (SVP) decision aid -- ensemble SVP modeling -- ship tracking and routing system; Military art and science -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; 355.0011305
• DOI: 10.1177/1548512913516552
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1548-5129

Abstract

Fuel conservation and carbon reduction are important issues in current naval operations. Optimal ship route (i.e. minimum fuel consumption) depends on specific ship platform characteristics and near real-time environment such as weather, ocean waves, and ocean currents. The environmental impact of shipping can be measured on different spatial and temporal scales. As a vital component of the smart voyage planning (SVP) decision aid, the US Navy's meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) forecast systems play an important role in optimal ship routing, which enables fuel savings in addition to the aid of heavy weather avoidance. This study assesses the impact of METOC ensemble forecast systems on optimal ship route. Tests of the SVP decision aid tool are also conducted for operational fleet use and concept of operations for the USS Princeton guided missile cruiser (CG)-59 in a sea trial test following the 2012 Rim of the Pacific exercises.