PropelSense 

Too Much Ship Data, Too Little Timely Actionable Guidance 

Modern ships already generate large volumes of operational data from navigation, machinery, propulsion and performance systems. The difficulty is not lack of data—it is converting that data into a clear operational decision at the right moment.

Masters and Chief Engineers often have to interpret speed, RPM, engine load, shaft power, draft, trim, weather, current and fuel information across different systems. Much of the analysis remains retrospective, appearing later in noon reports or shore-side dashboards.

PropelSense is designed to bridge that gap—turning existing ship data into simple, timely propulsion-efficiency guidance while the vessel is operating.

Practical advisory support for the key variables that influence propulsion efficiency 

It continuously evaluates the vessel’s current operating condition and can provide guidance on:

• Speed and eco-speed range

• Recommended RPM and engine load

• Draft and trim

• Actual versus expected shaft power

• Fuel consumption and fuel per nautical mile

• Propeller slip and propulsion efficiency

• Hull-performance deterioration

• Potential fuel-saving opportunities

The objective is not simply to show another set of numbers. PropelSense attempts to answer a much more useful question:

“Given the ship’s present condition, what can we do now to operate more efficiently?”

Developed as a read-only, non-intrusive advisory system. 

It uses signals already available on board wherever possible, including:

RPM • Engine load • Shaft power • Speed through water • Speed over ground • Draft • Trim • Displacement • Fuel data • Weather • Current • Voyage information

The system analyses these inputs using ship-specific engineering models and continuously compares expected performance with actual performance.

Where some measurements are unavailable, PropelSense can use validated engineering estimates and alternative inputs, while displaying the confidence level of the resulting advisory.

Most importantly:

There is no control path back to the machinery or navigation system.

The Master and Chief Engineer remain fully in control. PropelSense observes, analyses and advises.

Combines several engineering indicators rather than relying on a single fuel-consumption number. 

Actual vs Expected Power
The system compares the power presently required by the vessel with the expected power for the same operating condition. A sustained increase can indicate additional resistance or deteriorating performance.

Hull and Propeller Performance
Trends in power requirement, propeller slip and operating condition can help identify whether performance deterioration is likely to arise from hull fouling, propeller condition or other causes.

Fuel per Nautical Mile
Fuel consumption becomes more meaningful when related to transport performance. PropelSense tracks how much fuel is being used to move the vessel each nautical mile.

Eco-Speed
Rather than simply recommending the lowest possible speed, PropelSense seeks an efficient operating window that considers propulsion efficiency together with voyage and ETA requirements.

The result is a clearer understanding of what is changing, why it may be changing, and what action may be worthwhile.

PropelSense provide concise engineering advice to the people making the operating decision on board. 

Instead of presenting the crew with another complex dashboard, PropelSense aims to translate analysis into understandable advisories such as:

AMBER — Actual power is 7% above expected at the present speed. Increased hull resistance is indicated. Reducing RPM from 76 to 73 may improve fuel-per-mile performance while maintaining voyage requirements. Advisory confidence: High.

Each advisory is intended to show:

What has changed • Why it matters • What action is suggested • Expected benefit • Confidence of the advice

In short:

Not more data. Better decisions.

Developed progressively through modelling, historical vessel data and onboard validation. 

The pilot programme is intended to work closely with selected shipowners and vessel teams to validate the system under actual operating conditions.

The programme will focus on:

• Connecting to available onboard data on a read-only basis

• Establishing vessel-specific baseline performance

• Comparing actual performance against engineering models

• Testing RPM, speed, trim and fuel-efficiency advisories

• Validating hull and propeller performance indicators

• Measuring the accuracy and usefulness of each advisory

• Incorporating feedback from Masters and Chief Engineers

• Refining the system before wider commercial deployment

The purpose of the pilot is not simply to demonstrate software. It is to prove that PropelSense can deliver advice that experienced shipboard professionals trust and find useful.