A Reliable and User-Friendly Service for the shipping market

As global enterprises gradually develop, the management of those enterprises becomes more complicated. Globalization of businesses leads to a proliferation of potential pitfalls for these businesses. Focusing on this problem, Tokyo Univeristy Professor Hideaki Miyata offered scientific approach to total management optimization of global enterprises from production to sales, using international manufacturing as an example.

At the same time, he said that in order to actualize the total management optimization of shipping companies, the result of tie-ups between data-analysis companies and shipping companies would be a key factor. Shipping companies are striving to realize an international system with Traceability and Reliability for forwarding goods. While espousing the importance of moving towards total optimization, he commented on the central role that information systems will play in managing international businesses in the future.

“The mission of the shipping industry is to support forwarding and distribution around the world to create a win-win situation for enterprises and citizens. To achieve this, it's very important to further understand their customer's businesses, and raise their level of satisfaction.”

Data Visualization and Integration for Transportation Considering Customer Needs

Weathernews' concept of risk management for the shipping industry is based on managing a balance between safety and schedule. The success of this concept has solidified our relationships with many shipping companies worldwide. One of the suggestions for total optimization offered at the seminar was the integration of data from vessel owners, operators and and masters.

Voyage Planning group leader Mitsuhiro Ogata said, “A collaboration between owners, operators and masters for Routeing, Risk Management and Cost Management realizes maximum gains and minimal loss. Weathernews plays a bridge-building role between these three fundamental parties. We want companies to allow us to support smooth communication between all three parties.”

Extending Service Menus toward New Value Creation

Weathernews recommended TFMS service to shipping companies, through which Weathernews will collaborate with their customers to achieve total optimization.

OSR (Oprimum Ship Routeing)

“Optimum Ship Routeing makes possible the optimization of voyage planning through the creation of various options for the vessels and voyages. We believe that promotion of communication leading to information sharing is connected to total optimization,” according to Dr.Kazuo Yokokawa of Weathernews Global Center-based OSR team.

An extension of the Optimum Ship Routeing Service is the option for Fuel Routeing. The service aims for maximum fuel-savings with respect to vessel schedules, resulting in up to a further 2% savings on actual voyages. Reduction of fuel consumption will also reduce the impact damage to the environment.

OPA (Official Performance Auditing)

As one component of Weathernews Total Fleet Management Service, Official Performance Auditing Service is one of the new services suggested at the seminar. It is comprised of three services: Practical Voyage Planning, Profitability Monitoring and Asset Management.
OPA team-leader Satoru Ueno said, “In the midst of the remarkable changes currently surrounding the market for tramper-vessels, total optimization is urgent for tramper companies. Moving towards total optimization requires a shift from individual vessel management to fleet management, along with voyage management to cost management, and voyage performance monitoring to continuous vessel monitoring as.”

From Total Optimization to Strategic Management

Over the course of the four-hour seminar, it was reconfirmed that the shipping industry has high expectations with regard to strategic management for total optimization. Weathernews recognized that there is yet more we can do to provide results to the shipping industry with total optimization.

Closing remarks were made by Weathernews founder and chairman, Hiro Ishibashi:
“The environment of distrust that exists in the shipping industry should become one of mutual trust. Weathernews can foster this change through collective efforts with the shipping industry. Then by accommodating the various demands of the industry, we can raise the level of trust between the players in this industry.”

Weathernews is honored by shipping companies allowing us to support total optimization through a solid relationship with our customers.