Despite more precise modern weather forecasting, unpredictable weather poses hazards to vessels and voyage scheduling. Climate change worsens these risks, OneOcean warns. To mitigate potential threats, additional measures are needed, made possible by digital technology advancements to manage risks and increase safety.
According to OceanOne, as sea temperatures rise and ocean currents and salinity levels shift, supercharged storms, higher wind speeds, and towering waves are becoming more common, increasing the risk of unexpected and severe weather events.
Reduced visibility
Reduced visibility caused by dense fog can obscure navigation hazards, making it difficult for the ship’s crew to determine the ship’s position and course. Ice can also be a significant hazard, especially in areas like the Northern Sea, where ships must navigate through frozen waters. Ice can damage a ship’s hull or propellers, leading to expensive repairs and potential safety hazards, the company warns.
OceanOne proposed additional measures to ensure safety:
- Ships can be equipped with radar and other navigation aids to help them navigate through dense fog.
- In areas where ice is a significant hazard, ships can be equipped with reinforced hulls or icebreaking capabilities.
- Modern digital technology can help ships avoid hazards associated with fog and ice.
- By integrating real-time weather data and sophisticated navigation software, ships can optimize their routes to avoid areas with potential hazards, reducing the risk of accidents and increasing safety for crew and cargo.
Despite these advances, OceanOne believes unpredictable weather and associated hazards will continue to be a challenge for ships operating in colder climates, and continued investment in technology and safety measures will be necessary to mitigate these risks.
Stability
To avoid bad weather, ships can alter their course, but this requires knowledge of when and where unfavorable conditions may arise. Preparedness for stormy seas is crucial for safe navigation, OceanOne stressed.
Measures to increase stability:
- Heavy solid cargoes like iron ore or coal should be stored low down in the center of the vessel.
- For liquid carriers, partitions called ‘anti-slosh baffles’ can prevent destabilization caused by large liquid surges.
- Ballast water can also help maintain stability by reducing the impact of rolling and pitching. The center of buoyancy and the KB, the height above the keel, are stabilized by the ballast exchange.
- Digital software can provide critical information to predict a vessel’s roll. By utilizing forecasted weather and up-to-date hydrographical data, the simulator can anticipate the potential impact of the sea based on parameters like the vessel’s speed, course, and laden levels.
Maximising Precautions
According to OneOcean, voyage optimisation with comprehensive weather routing has never been more important than it is today. Erratic weather patterns at sea are likely to increase as climate change continues. Shipping has always to some extent been a risky business when sailing through waters, but now more than ever precautions need to be maximized, the company concluded.
