4 Reasons why you should consider wave data

As is well known in the maritime industry, and as we’ve written about in some of our white papers and case studies, advances in data reporting and analytics are remaking the maritime landscape, just as is happening in many other industries. Some signs of the times:

• More maritime organizations are building their own custom data analysis software.
• More maritime organizations are hiring their own data scientists and machine learning specialists.
• More vessel technology companies are investing in e-navigation, autonomous solutions, and internet-of-things (IoT) technology.

In this blog post, we’ll look at a specific area where the power of data has been transforming the industry: wave forecasting.

Shipping companies and other maritime service providers are recognizing the need for more precise wave forecasts to add value to their operations and services. And to meet that need, data providers are striving to accumulate detailed, high-resolution wave data and to offer easy-to-use APIs with helpful built-in functionalities.

Spire Weather offers a highly valuable and truly global weather forecast enriched with unique data from Spire’s satellite constellation: more precise and easier to use forecast with customized variables for the maritime industry. Our maritime weather data pairs perfectly with maritime tracking. Maximum insight, minimum friction.

Wave problems and risks

First, let’s do a quick recap of the challenges waves present for vessels.

At the most basic level, waves, no matter the size, make maritime travel less efficient. Waves generate “wave load” (i.e.,they push against ships) and they create various ship movements that make travel less straight, and therefore less efficient.

And waves can cause damage. They can damage cargo by slamming containers around, and even by knocking containers overboard.

And of course large waves, like those found in the Black Sea or the South China Sea, can directly damage vessels and equipment, make vessels sink, and pose serious hazards to employees.

Now let’s look at some ways wave data is being used, and how that use is improving.

Wave forecasts in simulations and digital twins

Advances in maritime data reporting and machine learning have led to improvements in the ability to run complex, accurate simulations of how vessels and equipment work.

One type of simulation is the “digital twin,” which is a computer model of a vessel or piece of equipment. Digital twins allow researchers to run experiments and simulations without putting the real-world asset, or the people and processes associated with it, at risk. For example, they might run a simulation that replicates years or decades of continual use to predict wear and tear.

Waves can be an important factor in these models. Maritime program creators can incorporate near-future wind and wave forecasts, combined with data-reporting sensors on vessels and structures, to predict how their assets will respond. With such models, they can answer questions like, “How will this specific offshore structure respond to these specific wind and wave conditions?” or “What specific conditions would have to develop to pose a danger for this specific vessel?” This technology has existed for decades, but it’s rapidly improving.

Wave forecasts can also be used in simulations to optimize fuel use and reduce emissions. One of our case studies looked at Oldendorff, one of the world’s largest dry bulk shipping companies, and how they used our weather and wave forecasts in a digital twin simulation. Their model aimed to optimize their fuel consumption, based on intelligent route planning, amongst other factors.

Wave data for analysis of incidents

When things go wrong, historical sets of data, including wave data, can be used to get a better idea of what happened.

For example: if a piece of equipment failed, or was known to have issues under certain conditions, the routes that specific ships traveled could be studied and correlations might be found between certain wave conditions and certain kinds of wear and tear. Maybe a company’s ships that traveled routes that had extreme waves would show specific wear and tear issues, and it’s possible that could only be determined with an in-depth historical data analysis.

Wave data trends

In the maritime industry, shipping companies and other operators are demanding precise data, and demanding services that use that data for specific applications. Wave data is just one facet of maritime data, an important one, and wave data sources and algorithms will continue to improve.

This image shows Wind Wave Height  – Spire Weather

At Spire, we have several weather forecasting bundles focused for use by the maritime industry, and we’ve recently added wave forecasts to these bundles. Our maritime weather forecasts include:

• Sea surface temperature
• Ocean currents speed
• Ocean currents direction
• Significant wind wave height
• Mean wind wave direction
• Mean wind wave period
• Significant total swell wave height
• Mean total swell wave direction
• Mean total swell wave period

Learn more about Spire Weather