Offshore Vessel Fuel Efficiency Offers Immediate Savings, Says Opsealog

Summary

Offshore vessel operators should prioritise fuel savings as a commercial objective rather than wait for tighter emissions rules, Opsealog has argued. The company highlights operational planning, improved standby practices and consistent performance reviews as practical ways to reduce costs, supported by reported results from ADNOC Logistics & Services and operations in Ghana.

Article

Turning vessel data into operational decisions

Offshore vessel fuel efficiency can deliver immediate financial benefits when operators use performance information to change daily working practices, says Damien Bertin, Business Director at marine performance management company Opsealog.

In commentary published on 23 October, Bertin argued that regulatory compliance should reinforce an existing business case for reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.

His central recommendation is to assess consumption against the activity being performed. Transit, standby, dynamic positioning and work alongside an offshore installation impose different demands, making a single daily consumption figure an incomplete measure of performance.

Opsealog advocates clearer responsibility for performance indicators, regular reviews and closer coordination between vessel operators and charterers. The objective is to turn monitoring into practical decisions that crews and shore teams can implement.

ADNOC programme expands beyond initial trial

Earlier developments at ADNOC Logistics & Services illustrate how a targeted efficiency programme can grow into a broader fleet management initiative.

In February 2021, Opsealog announced a multi-year agreement covering 70 offshore vessels following an initial trial involving 11 vessels. The fleet included platform supply vessels, anchor handling tug supply vessels and fast support intervention vessels.

During the five-month trial beginning in May 2020, the companies reported a 12% reduction in fuel consumption and associated CO₂ emissions. Reported savings amounted to 572 cubic metres of fuel.

The service combined data integration and visualisation with consultancy support, linking information from vessel operations with recommendations for improving resource use. Those trial results were specific to the participating vessels and operating period.

Cumulative savings reported across larger fleet

The partnership was renewed in February 2026, by which time its coverage had expanded to more than 100 offshore support vessels.

Opsealog reported cumulative savings exceeding 20,400 cubic metres of fuel and 55,600 tonnes of CO₂ since implementation. These figures represent programme-wide results accumulated over time, rather than annual savings.

The renewed arrangement also envisaged adding preventive maintenance insights and contract performance modules. Its Marinsights platform provides a consolidated view of vessel activity, emissions and productivity, helping teams review fuel consumption and engine running hours.

The company said the service operated without requiring additional onboard hardware installation. That approach is commercially relevant for owners assessing operational improvements alongside more capital-intensive equipment upgrades.

Standby practices offer a practical opportunity

An earlier Opsealog white paper identified standby arrangements as an important source of potential savings in ADNOC’s operations.

The work examined opportunities to use mooring buoys and anchoring where operational conditions permitted, reducing the need to keep engines running for position-keeping. At the time of that case study, average fuel savings of 400 cubic metres a month were reported following changes to standby practices.

Such measures depend on the vessel’s task, location and safety requirements. Their significance lies in reviewing how a vessel waits between assignments, alongside how efficiently it performs its principal work.

Opsealog also recognised the Ghanaian-owned anchor handling tug supply vessel MV Flat Confidence, supporting Tullow Ghana, through its inaugural Fuel Efficiency Award announced in April 2026. The recognition covered sustained improvements over a full year and assessed measurable outcomes from changes in operating practices.

European rules strengthen the incentive

The commercial argument comes as European emissions obligations expand.

Offshore ships of at least 400 gross tonnage have been included in the EU’s maritime monitoring, reporting and verification framework since January 2025, within its applicable scope. Covered emissions include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

Offshore ships of at least 5,000 gross tonnage are scheduled to enter the EU Emissions Trading System from the 2027 reporting period. Monitoring obligations and the requirement to surrender emissions allowances therefore follow different thresholds and timelines.

For operators and charterers, the immediate opportunity is to establish dependable performance benchmarks and identify avoidable consumption. Better operating discipline can support cost control today while providing a stronger information base for future compliance obligations.

FAQs

What is Opsealog recommending?

It recommends treating fuel efficiency as a commercial priority, supported by operational data, clear accountability and regular performance reviews.

Why measure consumption by operating mode?

Transit, standby and dynamic positioning require different levels of energy. Separating them makes comparisons more useful.

What savings were reported for ADNOC’s programme?

By February 2026, cumulative reported savings exceeded 20,400 cubic metres of fuel and 55,600 tonnes of CO₂.

Can changing standby practices reduce consumption?

Yes. Suitable anchoring or mooring arrangements can reduce engine use where operational conditions and safety requirements permit.

When do large offshore ships enter the EU ETS?

Offshore ships of at least 5,000 gross tonnage enter its applicable scope from the 2027 reporting period.