The installation was pioneered on Mitsubishi Corporation’s Pyxis Ocean - chartered by global food corporation, Cargill - which was the first vessel to be retrofitted with WindWings, a technology consisting of 37.5 metre wing sails that are installed on the deck of a cargo ship and which can provide fuel savings of up to 30 percent on average for new build vessels.
Since fitment in August 2023, the Pyxis Ocean has made several voyages with WindWings and Groke Pro in operation.
Aiming to support the maritime industry’s shift to new low-carbon propulsion systems, whereby traditional lines-of-sight may be obstructed, Groke Pro provides imagery to the bridge collated from multiple locations on the vessel, together with an analysis of objects in the vessel’s periphery. Providing a superb situational awareness of the vessel surroundings, sensor fusion technology can combine inputs from different sensors on the vessel, including radar, AIS and Groke Pro’s day and night cameras. Powered by machine vision and machine learning, tools like blending and real-time risk analysis provide the vessel crew with the most accurate information to support their decision-making.
“As we chart the future of the maritime industry, our partnership with Groke marks a pivotal stride toward the confluence of low carbon propulsion and the latest automation technologies – both of which put global shipping on the path towards a cleaner, more efficient future” said John Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, BAR Technologies. “As the industry goes on this journey, it’s critical to BAR that we overcome any challenges in operability by either innovating in-house, or partnering with other forward-looking industry specialists with whom we can form close collaboration. We look forward to working closely with Groke in future.”
Alongside the evolution of low carbon propulsion, the maritime industry also continues to grapple with skills shortages in the face of an increasing need to digitalise fleet management and operations.
While the industry explores the adoption of new technologies, the emphasis remains on building more autonomous systems without compromising traditional crew roles. Technology solutions, such as Groke Pro, help to optimise WindWings to enhance operational efficiency and the safety of seafarers.
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