Technology

Digitalisation in OSV sector: Path to fuel efficiency and decarbonisation

Arnaud Dianoux, Founder and Managing Director of Opsealog elaborates how digital solutions are enabling significant fuel savings in the offshore support vessel industry sector.

Published

2 years ago

June 25, 2024

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Arnaud Dianoux, Founder and Managing Director of Opsealog, elaborates how digital solutions are enabling significant fuel savings in the offshore support vessel industry sector.

Arnaud Dianoux, Founder and Managing Director of Opsealog, explained how data collection and analysis are enabling significant fuel savings in the offshore support vessel industry sector and includes a case study from Opsealog’s work with ADNOC, where digitalisation reduced fuel costs and emissions by 12%:

A variety of factors are encouraging investments in energy and fleet efficiency within the offshore support vessel (OSV) sector, with a strong focus on fuel efficiency. The sector is at a pivotal point. Following years of slow growth, 2023 saw a significant rebound in the market, which continues into 2024. Major oil producing countries, particularly in the Middle East and North America, are pushing for increased production, which is driving up demand for drilling rigs, subsea construction boats, and OSVs. This surge in demand has led to higher utilisation rates, increased term-charter and spot market day rates, and a tighter market.

Increased day rates and a shortage of vessels are making it imperative for charterers to improve fuel efficiency and manage costs effectively. One significant contribution to this is by optimising fleet management processes – for example, streamlining maintenance schedules – to ensure fleet availability in fluctuating demand cycles. Through the use of digital systems, charterers can better monitor operations, identify optimal fleet sizes, and reduce overall expenses.

For shipowners, the tight market and attractive rates incentivize maximising vessel availability. This is compounded by the increased cost of crew and equipment maintenance and upgrades. Further to this, higher interest rates and uncertain regulations make newbuild orders less appealing. Instead, the focus is on maximising the current fleet’s technical availability.

The OSV industry’s appetite for investment in new assets, technologies, or digital systems is closely linked to market conditions, which has seen a ‘wait and see’ mentality across not just the OSV sector but also the global maritime market. But as fuel prices rise and the market tightens, incentives are growing stronger to optimise operations, reduce costs, and invest in technologies that will enable access to data that will aid decision-making in the future. Digitalisation is emerging as a key strategy to achieve these goals, offering a low-hanging fruit solution to improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs.

Bringing data into play

Data plays a crucial role in unlocking operational efficiencies, optimising marine logistics chains, reducing fuel consumption, and minimising greenhouse gas emissions. Comprehensive data collection and analysis allows companies to benchmark progress, measure the impact of future initiatives, and prepare for incoming regulations.

From a regulatory perspective, while OSV operators are not yet required to comply with the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), future regulations will likely mandate compliance. From 2027, offshore ships above 5,000 gross tonnage will be included in the ETS, while the EU MRV will be extended from 2025 to apply to offshore ships above 400 GT, with additional regulations expected to follow.

Pushed by the public’s demand for more sustainable practices, stakeholders, including energy majors, are increasingly requesting reductions in upstream emissions.

By leveraging data-driven insights, companies can be proactive in their decarbonisation efforts. Enhancing data collection, integration and analysis enables them not only to comply with regulations, but also to unlock new insights to enhance operational, financial, and environmental performance. For example, 10-15% fuel and emissions savings are typically delivered through Opsealog’s data collection, management, and analysis processes. This is a win-win, saving fuel costs as well as emissions with no risk or upfront investment.

The fuel efficiency landscape

The OSV industry exemplifies the challenges and potential of digital solutions in enhancing fuel efficiency. A prime example is Opsealog’s experience with ADNOC Logistics & Services (L&S), the logistics arm of ADNOC Group.

Opsealog’s initial proof-of-concept trial with 11 of ADNOC L&S’ vessels achieved a remarkable 12% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The results of a trial in 2021 saw ADNOC L&S embark on a long-term partnership with Opsealog, recognizing an opportunity to replace manual reporting processes with digital ones to improve speed, accuracy and support timely decision-making.

The digitalisation of ADNOC L&S’ vessel reporting processes marked a significant shift for the company, and has led to the deployment of Opsealog’s ”efficiency as a service” solution across a larger fleet of over 120 offshore supply vessels.

ADNOC L&S achieved these efficiencies through meticulous analysis and adjustments in operational practices, such as optimising engine running hours and implementing mooring buoys to reduce fuel consumption during idle times. This illustrates how digital solutions can transform traditional fuel and fleet management approaches, drawing on Opsealog’s role as a data integrator from multiple sources to enhance operational efficiency and environmental sustainability in the OSV sector.

The future of OSV operations

The OSV sector is on the cusp of a digital transformation that promises to drive fuel efficiency, reduce costs, and support decarbonisation efforts. By embracing digital solutions and leveraging data, the industry can navigate the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities presented by a rapidly evolving market.

As digitalisation progresses, its benefits will extend beyond fuel consumption and emissions reductions. Going forward, we can expect data-driven insights to also be used to support contract performance monitoring, enhance crew management, and improve billing accuracy.

For these benefits to be realised, however, collaboration between various industry players will be required. Effective data sharing within the OSV sector and beyond will be essential for enhancing the industry’s safety, efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability. However, this task is challenging due to varying levels of data maturity, privacy and security concerns, and technical obstacles. Despite these challenges, the advantages of data sharing are substantial, with the potential to foster innovation, improve decision-making, and optimise overall operations.

Furthermore, digital systems will also play a vital role in ensuring that health and safety standards are met. This includes data on drills conducted on board and stop work policy, which helps enforce safety standards and enables teams to be proactive to ensure safety. This shows the multifaceted potential of data in supporting not only operational, financial and environmental goals, but also in empowering the industry’s most important asset: its people.

Photo credit: Opsealog
Published: 25 June, 2024

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Genevos and Koedood Marine Group team up on maritime hydrogen fuel cell deployment

Collaboration will explore how ready-to-use marine fuel cell systems can support shipowners and shipyards in the transition towards zero-emission operations.

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Genevos and Koedood Marine Group team up on maritime hydrogen fuel cell deployment

Marine fuel cell systems provider Genevos recently said the company signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with engine supplier Koedood Marine Group to explore the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell systems for inland and coastal maritime transport.

The LOI was signed by Phil Sharp, co-founder and CTO of Genevos, and Mühlheim, Business Development Director of Koedood Marine Group during the 2026 Advanced Maritime Technology Show in Amsterdam.

Building on Koedood’s proven experience in hydrogen maritime projects – including its ongoing work with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and TNO on hydrogen engine development – the collaboration will explore how ready-to-use marine fuel cell systems can support shipowners and shipyards in the transition towards zero-emission operations.

“Koedood has a strong reputation in the maritime sector and a deep understanding of vessel operators’ needs. This LOI is an important step in exploring how Genevos’ hydrogen fuel cell systems can be deployed more widely across inland and maritime applications, helping shipowners reduce onboard emissions with robust, practical and scalable clean power solutions,” said Sharp.

The collaboration aligns with growing market demand for rapidly deployable hydrogen solutions and the wider need to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission technologies across the maritime sector.

“With this collaboration, we are further strengthening our portfolio of maritime energy solutions. Together with Genevos, we are exploring how we can support our customers in the adoption of hydrogen technology,” said Mühlheim.

Photo credit: Genevos
Published: 20 July, 2026

Wind-assisted

DNV awards TADC to Econowind for VentoFoil 3-Series

System actively harnesses wind power to generate forward thrust, helping to reduce bunker fuel consumption and mitigate FuelEU penalties.

Published

5 days ago

July 17, 2026

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DNV awards TADC to Econowind for VentoFoil 3-Series

Dutch wind-assisted propulsion technology firm Econowind on Wednesday (15 July) said it has received a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from classification society DNV for its VentoFoil 3-Series boundary layer suction wing.

The company said the certification confirms compliance with DNV’s ST-0511 standard for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems and enables easier integration of VentoFoils on DNV-classed vessels worldwide.

Econowind added that the approval accelerates the deployment of wind propulsion across the shipping industry.

“DNV is one of the world’s leading classification societies. This TADC gives DNV-classed shipowners confidence that VentoFoils meet the highest industry standards,” said Chiel de Leeuw, Chief Commercial Officer at Econowind.

“It simplifies the approval process for both retrofits and newbuilds. VentoFoils are ideal for late-stage design integration and retrofit projects. This is an important milestone for Econowind and for the wider adoption of wind-assisted ship propulsion.”

The 3-Series VentoFoil is Econowind’s best-selling suction wing to date, with over 150 units sold. The system actively harnesses wind power to generate forward thrust, helping to reduce fuel consumption and mitigate FuelEU penalties. The system includes a tilting foundation, allowing the wings to be tilted down during port operations or in adverse weather conditions, making it a flexible solution.

The TADC applies to the 16-meter VentoFoil 3-Series product design and supports easy integration into DNV-classed vessels without repeating the full design assessment process. This enables shipowners, shipyards, and project teams to move more efficiently from concept to installation, reducing project complexity and accelerating deployment.

Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV Maritime, said: “It is a great pleasure to award Econowind this new certificate. WAPS have been going from strength to strength over the past few years, from 2022 the number of vessels in operation has increased five times, and we’ve now topped the century mark.

“And with the current advances in technology, materials, and production capacity in the segment, we expect this to accelerate. So, while the wind always changes, the shipping industry is likely to be sailing strong for years to come.”

Econowind expects the DNV Type Approval Design Certificate to accelerate adoption of the VentoFoil, particularly among shipowners seeking proven, independently certified technology that can support fuel savings, emissions reductions, and decarbonization goals.

MS Heinz of HS Schiffahrt is among the first vessels to sail under this TADC.The company said the approval builds on Econowind’s growing installed base and further strengthens confidence in wind-assisted ship propulsion as a practical solution to address energy scarcity and high fuel prices.

In addition to the 3-Series, Econowind offers the 5-Series for the deep-sea market.

Photo credit: Econowind
Published: 17 July, 2026

Technology

Malaysia: Maharani Freeport to implement MFM and e-BDN technologies for enhanced bunkering transparency

Initiatives reflect the Freeport’s commitment to delivering transparency, operational integrity and international best practices across its bunkering ecosystem, says MEG spokesperson.

Published

7 days ago

July 15, 2026

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Maharani Freeport, a National Project officially launched by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, in November 2025, will be introducing mass flowmeter (MFM) and electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) technologies to its bunkering operations, learns Manifold Times.

These strategic initiatives underscore the port’s commitment in establishing a highly transparent, efficient and trustworthy bunkering environment, aligned with global best practices and addressing critical industry demands, according to a Maharani Energy Gateway (MEG) spokesperson.

MEG is the Master Developer of Maharani Freeport and seeks to position the Freeport as a strategic nexus for shipment, storage and trading operations on a global scale. MEG Synergy is the trading division and a wholly owned entity of MEG; it seeks to position Maharani Freeport as a strategic nexus for shipment, storage, and trading operations on a global scale.

As part of its long-term bunkering strategy, the Freeport is currently in the process of acquiring bunker vessels of various sizes to support marine fuel deliveries and accommodate the evolving requirements of regional and international customers. These vessels will be equipped with MFM technology to ensure accurate, transparent and efficient fuel transfer operations.

Including bunkering and ship-to-ship (STS) trading operations from its High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) Floating Storage Unit (FSU), MEG Synergy already oversees a healthy volume of Bunker cargo deliveries to regional players each month.

MFM for Trust, Transparency and Traceability

MEG highlighted the custody transfer of bunker fuels at the Freeport will be handled by MFM-equipped bunker tankers.

“The adoption of MFM technology to support bunkering operations is a direct response to persistent industry challenges such as quantity discrepancies and delivery disputes,” explained the spokesperson.

“By equipping our bunker vessels with certified mass flowmeters, we aim to ensure precise and verifiable fuel delivery measurements.

“This initiative is pivotal in fostering trust among customers and strengthening the Freeport’s reputation as a professionally managed zone where businesses can operate with confidence. The overarching goal is to create a secure and well-governed environment for commercial activities, reducing operational risks and uncertainties while supporting efficient and transparent trade.”

e-BDN to Digitalise Documentation Workflow

The implementation of electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDN), together with MFM technology, further aligns with the Freeport’s focus on creating comprehensive digital custody transfer records and robust data retention systems, added the spokesperson.

This digital approach, integrated with MFM technology, will streamline operational workflows, reduce administrative burdens and provide an immutable record of transactions to enhance transparency, minimising potential friction and expediting dispute resolution

MEG emphasised that the Freeport’s commitment extends beyond technological enhancements to encompass a comprehensive governance framework.

The port aims to adhere to stringent international standards, including those established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), while offering dispute resolution mechanisms under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to ensure the swift and fair handling of disagreements.

This holistic approach to operational integrity and governance is designed to address perceived transparency gaps, positioning the Freeport as a reliable and commercially attractive hub for the maritime and commodities sectors.

Note: For enquiries in respect of Maharani Freeport, readers may reach out to:

[email protected]

Photo credit: Maharani Energy Gateway
Published: 15 July 2026