Weathernews enhances analytical capabilities in Athens
Global weather data provider Weathernews continuously enhances its analytical capabilities at its Athens base to deliver more accurate weather forecasts and critical insights for European customers. Two Operations Center specialists share how the Weathernews team collaborates to provide consistently high-quality service: “Yes, we have sophisticated AI tools and the market’s most extensive weather databases, but the human element matters just as much.”
Voyage Planner Vasiliki Kouroupaki and Performance Analyst Anna Bazou take pride in being part of a team whose combined expertise helps Weathernews customers manage the daily challenges faced by the maritime industry, namely reducing fuel consumption and emissions while enhancing safety.
“Clients can reach out to us and get immediate feedback 24/7. We have automated solutions that handle the tedious aspects of our everyday manual tasks, allowing us to focus on the critical aspects people value most – ongoing support for ships at sea and market-leading voyage performance reporting,” says Bazou.
The human factor sets Weathernews apart from competitors. “We don’t rely solely on AI technologies for performance reports but apply our critical thinking to weed out discrepancies and solve abstract problems. While we use AI to augment our problem-solving capabilities, we prioritize a personalized approach over cookie-cutter solutions,” Bazou adds.
Essential performance monitoring
Many years of harvested data from a large fleet and continuous performance monitoring enable Weathernews to give precise estimates of vessel performance and optimize routes with minimal error. Customers can access daily performance data on the Weathernews Platform, allowing them to constantly track each ship and take measures to rectify underperformance both in the short term and as part of long-term strategic planning.
“The platform also allows monitoring each vessel’s CII emissions. This is now imperative in long-term charters to comply with the Bimco CII clause and to maintain the vessel’s CII rating,” says Bazou.
Leveraging the power of automation
Weathernews has integrated multiple physical resources and automation tools to enhance available data. “That, in turn, enhances the quality of our output and minimizes the time spent on each task,” says Kouroupaki. Automated tools flag expected risks or heavy weather to ensure the safety of vessels. “For example, our damage risk tool informs vessel masters on potential risks such as heavy seas, parametric/synchronous rolling risk, successive wave attack, and loss of intact stability during specific periods. The information includes detailed explanations of each risk and suggested measures to prevent damage,” she adds.
Automated weather alerts, based on acceptable conditions according to vessel specifics and/or cargo, help Voyage Planners assess risk and check alternative options to minimize risks and adverse conditions. “We then provide captains and shore managers with this risk information and the most cost-efficient solution,” says Kouroupaki.
Other useful tools to assess risk and ensure safety include showing the likelihood of forecast waves exceeding two meters or showing the correlation between previous damage cases and a current forecast if conditions are similar.
Unbiased authority in OPA claims
For the auditing team, typical business cases involve customers using Weathernews’ Voyage Audit reports to assess countermeasures to improve vessel performance. “Voyage Audit Reports are particularly useful for both shipowners and charterers as they can help them in any claims against their own company or in support of their claims. We act as an independent third party providing credible assessments of a vessel’s performance,” says Bazou. “As performance claims and disputes have high stakes, owners and charterers count on us to provide well-informed solutions in line with the latest arbitration developments such as the Divinegate high court decision.”
By strengthening analytical capabilities in Athens, the team can now handle complex cases. “We go the extra mile, providing support beyond audit reports, including Q&As, revisions, and any other information customers might need. Our auditing support is consistently available without limitations or undisclosed fees.”
Key trends in customer requests
Kouroupaki notes the team has recently seen an increase in requests for deviation reports. “Examples include comparisons between actual routes with stoppages or diversions and direct routes without stoppages, calculating total distance and fuel consumption if the vessel had followed the initial route. We can simulate and support requests based on different scenarios.” Other requests include port forecasts and detailed forecasts for alternative options. “We provide estimations for expected conditions en route, distances, sailing times, and fuel consumption to help operators make the best decisions,” she says.
A significant decrease in requests for follow-ups on voyage audits has been observed. “This is mainly because we have identified and resolved weaknesses in the reports we provided to clients. We are more meticulous in analyzing good weather definitions, ensuring these definitions are used correctly in reports. Internal technical automation improvements minimize potential human errors, while the high level of training our personnel undergo helps mitigate any qualitative issues in reports,” Bazou says.
Greek base comes into its own
The Athens team had only one member as recently as 2020. “Today, we are eight Voyage Planners and five Performance Analysts specializing in initiating services and handling Performance Auditing Reports, an intrinsic aspect of Performance Claim Support. We will soon number 16 as we are recruiting two more VPs and one more person on the OPA side. We’ve grown fast into a strong base within the Weathernews network, making it an exciting time,” says Kouroupaki. “With a significant presence and a vital role in European operations, our Operations team in Athens provides unique benefits to our Greek clients as the central hub.”
Bazou notes that all team members have undergone in-depth training to master and perfect their skills. “Our company culture encourages staying up to date with the latest industry developments, including attending seminars and conferences specific to our area of expertise. This ensures we can provide superior services over the long haul, building earned trust with our customer base,” she says.
Promoting diversity and gender equality
“Everyone here in Athens is proud to be part of a highly diverse and multicultural organization. With offices worldwide, we cover the needs of clients from many countries with different working styles. As trained communicators, our cultural understanding is a major benefit. We aim to build rapport with everyone we speak to,” Bazou says.
Both she and Kouroupaki agree that Weathernews is contributing strongly to the progress of women in the maritime industry. “Gender equality and diversity in the workplace promote different perspectives, skills, and knowledge. By including voices from different backgrounds, we ensure a more dynamic and innovative working environment with multiple opportunities to evolve, grow, and gain more experience in our field,” Kouroupaki says.
Bucking the trend
Elias J. Makris, Athens-based Director EU at Weathernews, applauds Kouroupaki and Bazou’s contributions and says women in similar responsible positions are a boon for the Greek maritime community. “Unfortunately, Greece came last in the European Institute for Gender Equality’s 2022 Gender Equality Index, with a score of 53.4 out of 100. This is 15.2 points below the EU average. At Weathernews, we’re doing our best, in a small way, to help turn this around,” he says.
Weathernews employs many competent women, and Makris says everyone from the top down will celebrate ‘International Women in Maritime Industry Day’ on 18 May. “As a large organization, we take diversity seriously and strive to ensure a progressive and inclusive environment regardless of gender, race, or lifestyle choices. At the end of the day, what’s most important is that our people are excellent communicators with niche skills that our customers demand and pay for.”
