Carnival has opened its new Fleet Operations Centre (FOC) in Seattle, US, in order to provide real-time support for its fleet of 102 vessels.

The new centre is the company’s second fleet operation facility, and uses an improved tracking and data-analysis platform to enables real-time information sharing between Carnival ships and onshore fleet support teams.

It also improves communication from ship to shore and provides new capabilities for safe passage of vessels at sea.

Carnival chief maritime officer Bill Burke said: “Our teams have done a remarkable job in developing the most sophisticated and capable system in the cruise and commercial maritime industry for taking safety management to a completely new level, overcoming the hurdles faced with ships sailing in the middle of oceans around the world.

“With our new operations centres running our proprietary technology, both our ship and shore-side teams have greater-than-ever ability to ensure we are operating at safety levels that far exceed industry standards.”

The new FOC is able to capture thousands of data points, as well as provide real-time analytics for 28 parameters to ensure the navigational safety of each Carnival ship.

It also offers real-time radar visuals, stability conditions and automation, in addition to safety management and command systems.

The new tracking and data-analysis system utilises the vessels' in-built webcam technology, along with GPS location, routing, ship conditions and weather data.

It further enables procedural optimisation and efficiency in the fields of vessel speed, navigational data and engine conditions, as well as fuel and energy usage, emissions levels, water and waste management.

Carnival is currently building a third FOC, which is scheduled to be opened later this year.

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Image: Carnival’s new fleet operations centre in Seattle, US. Photo: Carnival Corporation & plc.