Artificial Intelligence and Maritime Decarbonization Combined in CORSICA Linea and Spinergie

From French start-up Spinergie, a marine technology business focused in monitoring ship performance using big data and artificial intelligence, CORSICA linea has implemented the voyage optimization solution from April 2024.

Aiming to be the most modern in the Mediterranean by 2030, this decision-making tool enables the passenger and goods transportation firm increase the environmental and operational impact.

A means of decision-making to lessen the environmental impact of the fleet

CORSICA linea has selected Spinergie’s solution, which is meant to maximize operational efficiency and environmental performance, as part of its strategic goal aiming at a 40% decrease in its CO2 emissions by 2030.

A decision-support tool, the Voyage Optimizer aids in selecting the best fuel-efficient and CO2-cutting travel schedule. The Voyage Optimizer generates consumption models for every ship by means of analysis of the enormous volume of data acquired by onboard sensors and meteorological information, therefore enabling real-time monitoring of their activity and performance.

Fuel consumption simulations give ship captains, considering operational constraints (management of schedules and port times, logistics), and weather uncertainty, the chance to arbitrate, based on reliable data, between various route and speed scenarios to make the best decisions before departure.

By means of a more thorough study of consumption sources, more accurate identification of fuel reduction levers, and better control of schedules and port hours, the technology also helps improve fleet management from shore-based services.

With an estimated 4% decrease in fuel consumption each trip and 10,000 tons of CO2 averted yearly, the resultant energy performance advantages immediately affect ships’ environmental footprint.

The Voyage Optimizer shows before departure the destination and planned crossing times the captain entered.

Depending on real-time data and ship parameters, the most energy-efficient travel arrangement available Thus, captains are instructed quite carefully on the average speed to adopt to maximize fuel consumption and, eventually, lower CO2 emissions as well as the number of engines to utilize throughout the crossing.

Captains fully developed the design and implementation of this solution to guarantee that it satisfies their needs as practically perfect. Daily interactions with Spinergie’s team and the quality of data gathered by onboard sensors enable continuous evaluation of algorithms for enhanced tool performance, claims ship captain Aurélien Maillard of CORSICA linea.

A “fleet center” tracking ship performance in real time

The navigation aid of the Voyage Optimizer is included into a real-time fleet monitoring operations center.

Developed inside Spinergie’s Vessel Performance module, CORSICA linea’s fleet center will eventually allow a 360-degree assessment of the fleet’s energy performance including the impact of technical decisions taken to lower ship consumption and an accurate data analysis of energy efficiency losses.

“Our environmental dedication to search for the most creative solutions suited for a fleet of ships that must endure their energy transition in a world that will surely move towards a low-carbon industrial revolution is shown by our relationship with Spinergie.

“The modern corporation is the one that succeeds in fusing its economic performance with environmental change.

Pierre-Antoine Villanova, Managing Director of CORSICA linea, says the fuel savings acquired are totally reinvested in the modernization of our naval fleet, which has to be outstanding for serving Corsica and North Africa.

“The decarbonization of the maritime sector presents a great and complicated challenge, forcing shipowners to rethink the planning, management, and monitoring of their fleet.”

After a technical stop, Spinergie offers actionable evaluations and recommendations that quantify the consumption increases and enable a captain to build a fuel-efficient crossing strategy fit for the ship and meteorological conditions.

“We are happy to work with CORSICA Linea, a business totally committed to present issues and creativity. Jean Cristofari, CEO and co-founder of Spinergie, says our interactions with their teams are both flexible and effective, which provides the perfect setting to have a meaningful impact.

An aspirational and pragmatic decarbonizing path

This industrial and technological cooperation fits with the strategic aim of CORSICA linea to have a low-carbon fleet in the Mediterranean thereby reducing CO2 emissions by 2030.

To upgrade and replace its fleet, CORSICA linea is implementing a €500 million investment strategy. A Galeotta, the business ordered its first LNG-powered new ship for Corsica operations in 2023. Under building, Capu Rossu will accompany the fleet in spring 2026.

Using a portfolio of fifty initiatives, CORSICA linea is aiming at:

• Establish sobriety by acting on the operational side of the fleet—that is, by modifying timetables and slowing down navigation speeds:
• Increase ship energy efficiency by means of hydrodynamic and propulsion motor optimization as well as driving and energy consumption reduction enabled by artificial intelligence with Spinergie:
• Learn to use synthetic fuels, LNG, and bio-LNG—decarbonized fuels:
• Thanks to decarbonized port calls with the electrical power, guarantee a better quality of air in cities.

related to ships’ quay (CENAQ). Having five equipped ships, CORSICA linea is the most modern ferry company in electrical connection to the Mediterranean quay:

• CORSICA linea supports the development of the first green corridor in the Mediterranean on the Corsica-Continent path: a zero-emission marine path.

With a 15% decrease in CO2 emissions per nautical mile by the corporation between 2022 and 2024, a global energy efficiency plan is starting to show initial effects.

Tags: Artificial Intelligence, Decarbonisation, Maritime