Sofar Ocean has introduced a new tool to support voyage planning activities based on actual conditions for fleet operations in the maritime sector.

Known as Wayfinder Voyage Simulator, the tool is designed to allow ship operators, commercial teams, and chartering desks to generate and assess multiple voyage scenarios instantly.

Each scenario uses Sofar’s marine weather forecasts, which draw from a private network of real-time ocean sensors.

The tool also applies vessel-specific performance models that update daily using operational data.

In addition, it incorporates current market conditions such as daily hire rates and fuel prices.

Sofar product head Dennis Rong said: “Voyage planning tools have not kept pace with the speed and complexity of modern shipping markets.

“We saw an opportunity to change this dynamic; not just by improving existing workflows, but by bringing real-time ocean intelligence to the forefront of voyage planning and simulation.”

Users of the simulator will have to select a vessel, submit routes or port data, adjust voyage parameters such as departure times or engine settings, and run simulations to evaluate arrival times and economic outcomes, explained the company.

The ability to create multiple simulations enables direct comparison between vessel options or scenarios.

This new tool joins Sofar Ocean’s existing solutions under the Wayfinder Platform.

The platform also includes the Wayfinder Voyage Optimisation tool used by clients such as MOL Group, Berge Bulk, and the US Navy.

In 2024, Sofar Ocean reported fuel savings of 5.5% on average for customers using its optimisation product on global routes.

In March this year, the American not-for-profit organisation MITRE partnered with Sofar Ocean to develop Bristlemouth, a new connectivity standard that aims to revolutionize maritime technology.

Bristlemouth promotes peer-to-peer network interoperability and enhances system integration for ocean sensing and exploration.