Stena Line is currently running a pilot project using Artificial Intelligence to predict the most fuel-efficient way to operate a vessel.

The results show a reduced fuel consumption by 2-3% per trip and the technology is ready to be launched on more vessels for a wider environmental impact.

Reducing vessel fuel consumption is a priority area for Stena Line, and the ferry company have a target to lower the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 2.5% yearly. Fuel is also one of the largest costs for a ferry company like Stena Line, at around 20% of total costs. AI technology has shown to be a successful solution to tackle these challenges and achieve the ambitious targets we have set for ourselves.

Jari Virtanen, Chief Transformation Officer at Stena Line has said;

"Stena Line aims to become the worlds first cognitive ferry company, assisted by AI in all areas in 2021. This project is using AI technology to support our captains and officers to save fuel. By improving the efficiency, we reduce both our costs and our environmental footprint. It really embodies Stena Line's vision of Connecting Europe for a Sustainable future."

In 2018, Stena Line started a pilot project onboard the Stena Scandinavica on the Gothenburg - Kiel route using AI technology to predict the most fuel-efficient way to operate a vessel. The results show that the project has been successful, enabling the captain and crew to save 2-3% fuel per trip with AI assistance. The software is now called Stena Fuel Pilot and will be installed on five more Stena Line vessels during the autumn. The ambition is to do a complete fleet wide roll-out on all 37 vessels in Europe during 2020.

Virtanen went on to thank the highly skilled people who work at Stena Line for the success of this groundbreaking project;

"This is a result of a successful collaboration between man, woman, and machine; between people and technology; between a team of skilled software developers, data scientists and finally a committed captain and his crew on Stena Scandinavica."

Working side by side on this project, Stena Line's Head of AI Lars Carlsson, and Senior Master Jan Sjöström from Stena Scandinavica have been key players in the success of the project. With more than 40 years of experience handling Stena Line's vessels in a safe and fuel-efficient way, they are looking forward to continuing to share both of their experiences and new insights about AI technology. Sjöström has said;

"Planning a trip and handling a vessel in a safe and, at the same time, fuel efficient way is craftmanship. Practice makes perfect, but when assisted by AI a captain or officer can improve how to optimise fuel quicker, in return, this contributes to a more sustainable journey."