Frequently Asked Questions
1. Technology
We use measured – not derived – data, for an accurate overview of vessel performance and efficiency in real time, throughout the lifetime of a vessel.
We integrate real-time, in-service vessel data with local wave and weather parameters and provide a live overview of vessel performance. With accurate measured vessel speed through water, in combination with other data points, voyages can be executed in an optimised way – impacting cost, fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Our solution is based on sea-clutter analysis from X-band navigation radars. This technology provides accurate wave and current measurements from the immediate surroundings of a vessel in operation, resulting in an unprecedented accuracy for speed through water of 0.1 kn.
The high accuracy comes from the fact that the solution measures an area of water undisturbed by the vessel itself. The solution has been proven over more than a decade of verifications, testing and iterations of algorithm developments.
Firstly, because we can measure it. Local ocean currents determine the difference between a vessel’s speed over ground and its speed through water. GPS is used to calculate a ship’s speed over ground, with the vessel speed log (and subsequently speed through water) taking somewhat of a back seat due to the instrument’s inherent inaccuracy and unreliability. In effect, this part of the equation has been missing, until now.
When it comes to vessel performance – including fuel consumption – speed through water is a key factor. In fact, speed through water is a crucial measure of the output (transport efficiency) of a vessel at a given input of fuel, load, weather, trim, etc. – without accurate speed through water it is not possible to accurately describe the performance of a vessel.
Speed through water is a hard parameter to measure. Dry, sensor-based solutions haven’t been accurate enough in the past. Measuring speed through water with GPS and acoustic speed logs – below the surface of the water – is the standard. This approach, however, often comes with various challenges related to systematic errors and data being influenced by noise (due to air bubbles, turbulence, inadequate calibration etc.). There are high installation and maintenance costs associated with submerged instrumentation too.
Miros Mocean uses IoT-enabled radar technology in combination with GPS and gyrocompass to measure wave spectra, wave parameters, and surface currents. An algorithm considering accurate current measurements, the vessel’s speed over ground, and its location, gives accurate measurements of speed through water.
You can read more about the technology and details on how speed through water is calculated in the “Measuring the Speed Through Water by Wavex” whitepaper.
Our ambition is to use the data collected to normalize all vessel performance data for the external forces represented by weather in order to enhance the current initiatives aimed at reducing GHG from shipping and set a new measurement benchmark for the industry. All for the benefit of the triple bottom line.
2. Platform Data
Yes, operators with administrative access to the Miros Mocean system can easily update the vessel and vessel voyage data via the Charter Party Administration portal, which can be found in the Applications menu in the Miros Mocean user interface.
It is the active warranty from the Charter Party contract that defines the criteria for good/bad weather. A warranty defines the limits for significant wave height, maximum wind speed, and maximum adverse current. When below these limits, the weather is considered to be good. The adverse current criteria can be disabled.
Miros Mocean is a decision support tool that allows you to make real-time decisions to enhance the performance of your vessel. The true value of Miros Mocean is its ability to provide accurate, local data on the actual weather conditions in which your vessel is sailing. These insights facilitate better decision-making abilities.
The fuel savings you will achieve will therefore vary depending on the weather, sea state conditions, the type of vessel, the journey, and how the data from Miros Mocean is used to support the crews’ decision-making.
Nevertheless, to give an example of potential savings, a dry bulk vessel sailing in light ballast conditions can typically save 7% on fuel oil consumption on a 20-day Trans-Pacific voyage.
In this example, the value of time has not been taken into consideration.
In the same example as above, you would save 88,7 tons of GHG emissions on a vessel’s 20-day Trans-Pacific voyage.
EEDI/EEXI is considered an “ideal” performance indicator. The Miros Mocean system can be used to measure in-service vessel performance, which can then be compared with the EEDI/EEXI.
The time indicated on the dashboards refers to the time zone of the user (computer) viewing said dashboard. Nevertheless, all data is stored in UTC time.
Some timelines can be switched between relative and absolute time. On the top right of the dashboard, both “your time” (user/computer time) and “site time” (vessel time) are presented. We will provide more possibilities for selecting time zones in the future.
No – and this is not planned.
3. Pricing
Miros Mocean offers subscription based applications consisting of a data collection platform and several performance optimisation applications.
In addition to the monthly subscription fee, there is an installation and commissioning fee which varies depending on availability of on-board sensors and data. Please contact Miros Mocean for a quote.
Yes, the Miros Mocean Customer Success Team will provide onboarding and necessary training for all relevant users. All users must accept the End User License Agreement before being deemed authorised users of the system.
4. Data Ownership & Security
The Miros Mocean Terms & Conditions state the following:
“Miros Mocean owns and retains all right, title, and interest, including all intellectual property rights, in and to the Data.
Customer is granted an exclusive license to use the Data made available to it through the Services. Such use shall be limited to Customer’s ordinary business activities, and Customer shall not share, distribute, or make the Data available to any third parties (except any Authorised Users), unless such third party is performing work for or in collaboration with Customer, where the Data is required.
The Data shall remain available to Customer through the Services for twelve (12) months.”
All data can be easily and securely accessed from the Cloud, where it can be manually downloaded or automatically pushed to third-party Cloud environments or servers. Access to dashboards, including manual data download, can be shared with third-party individuals and companies.
You can request the authorisation of third parties requiring access to data for work or collaboration by contacting the Miros Mocean Customer Success Team.
All data transfer from vessel to Cloud is encrypted. Both sides of the communication (vessel and Cloud) are securely authenticated and authorised. Only designated users have access to the data in the Cloud. System users have no access to change any local data and Miros Mocean guarantees that data are not tampered with in the Cloud.
Users onshore or offshore with the appropriate login information can access the data. Active Directory is the default method for authentication.
Yes, at an additional cost.
5. Installation & Commissioning
Miros Mocean will send a site preparation document to collect necessary information ahead of commissioning the system.
If fuel and shaft meters are already installed on the vessel, the installation and commissioning process should take no more than 2 – 3 days. If the fuel and shaft meters are not in place and need to be installed and commissioned, the process may vary and be subject to vessel location, hardware and IT infrastructure, logistics and vessel management support.
Miros Mocean has a network of service partners that support the installation and commissioning of the system in Europe, as well as in selected ports in Singapore, China and India. Our network is also able to provide support outside of these locations, but the logistics and costs may vary.
We highly recommend the use of the tailored Miros Mocean/Sea Surveillance radar product built on a Sperry Visionmaster.
Nevertheless, most common marine X-band radars are supported. We also recommend the use of Emerson mass flow meters and Kyma shaft power meters.
No, cranes and other objects on deck will normally not cause signal problems. If in doubt, please contact Miros Mocean for assistance with positioning the X-band radar.