The Singapore-based shipowner is integrating ABB Ability’s Octopus marine-advisory system into its Super B-Class heavy-lift vessels. These vessels, which include four 32,000-dwt ships already in service and another four slated for delivery by 2026, will benefit from optimized routes and reduced navigational risks arising from environmental factors.
This comprehensive package encompasses forecasting and motion monitoring, ensuring that the vessels operate within permissible motion limits. According to ABB, this helps minimize the risk of damage to both the ship and its cargo, while also supporting route optimization to cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions per cargo unit.
Nicola Pacifico, head of transport engineering at AAL Shipping, emphasized the advantages of the Octopus system: “Octopus provides us with unparalleled decision-making support,” she said. “A significant benefit is when we are sailing with the AAL Eco-Deck positioned along the starboard side of the vessel. Whether we are currently using or planning to use the Eco-Deck, Octopus helps us forecast and monitor the vessel's response to varying wave and weather conditions, which is essential for planning safe and efficient sailings.”
AAL’s third-generation Super B-Class vessels are designed for maximum flexibility, capable of transporting bulky, heavy, and high-value cargo across global waters, often under challenging conditions.
Jaap-Jan Stoker, global solutions manager at ABB Marine & Ports, highlighted the growing demand for monitoring and operational planning software in the project cargo and offshore wind markets. While such technology has been standard in sectors like container shipping and semi-submersibles for years, Stoker noted that these industries are now seeking similar insights into vessel motion to ensure safer passage in diverse weather conditions.
The multi-purpose vessel market, according to Data Horizon Research, has been experiencing steady growth in recent years, fueled by expanding global trade and the inherent versatility of these vessels. There has also been a shift towards larger, more technologically advanced vessels, which can handle a wider variety of cargo while improving fuel efficiency and reducing their environmental footprint.
