TRIM OPTIMIZATION
Trim optimization saves 300 tons fuel per vessel/year
Performance analysis revealed excess fuel use due to suboptimal trim. Adjustments reduced propulsion energy and fleetwide fuel consumption.
Fleet A
Long-term customer operating close to optimal trim.
The fleet shows minimal overconsumption, reflecting highly optimised trim performance achieved through continuous monitoring and crew guidance supported by Oversea.
Fleet B
New customer (8 vessels) with improvement potential.
The data indicates clear improvement potential. Targeted advice and adjustments reduced trim-related overconsumption, delivering a fleet-wide improvement of over 3% within months.
Identifying the inefficiency
Analysis revealed that several vessels were operating with non-optimal trim, often with the stern too deeply submerged. This increases hydrodynamic resistance, causing the vessel to drag unnecessary water and consume excess fuel.
Understanding the drivers
Further analysis identified that optimal trim varies by vessel, draft, and operation. A slight bow trim was often most efficient, but lack of real-time insight drove inconsistent settings.
The analysis considers several factors, including vessel class model trim test results, displacements, drafts, (forward/aft), speeds, weather conditions, and water depths. The number of test points for displacement, trim angles, and speeds varies between vessel classes in the trim optimization model studies. To improve accuracy, historical data is also used in the calculations
From insight to action
By combining performance analytics with clear, actionable guidance to onboard crews, trim optimisation was implemented across the fleet. This included:
- Visualising overconsumption linked to trim deviations
- Identifying optimal trim ranges for different conditions
- Supporting crews in adjusting ballast and operational practices
Delivering measurable impact
The impact was both rapid and measurable. Within just a few months, Fleet B achieved:
- >3% reduction in propulsion energy consumption
- ~300 tons fuel savings per vessel annually
- ~150,000 USD cost savings per vessel per year
- ~1.2 million USD annual savings across the fleet
In addition, emissions were reduced proportionally, supporting compliance and sustainability targets.
Establishing best practice
This use case demonstrates how turning operational insight into action not only improves performance, but also drives behavioral change that enables best practice to be implemented and sustained across the fleet.
