Ship operators are cutting fuel costs with “OSR-OW,” a new route planning tool from Weathernews (Optimum Ship Routing) and HD Hyundai Marine Solution (OceanWise). The system combines weather data with vessel performance tracking to help captains plan more efficient routes—and it's already showing impressive results.
Sanghyub Park leads Weathernews' maritime operations in Korea. With a decade of experience in maritime shipping operations, Park works directly with Korean fleet operators on route optimization and weather routing solutions. Here's his take on OSR-OW and how it's helping maritime industry clients make more informed operational decisions.
What makes OSR-OW work
When operators choose OSR-OW, they get genuine fuel savings of at least 3% compared to their usual performance. The system blends Weathernews' weather forecasting expertise with HMS's AI-based vessel performance modeling.
We've connected Weathernews and HMS systems through an API, so all the complex calculations happen behind the scenes. Operators continue receiving their route recommendations through the familiar Weathernews SeaNavigator platform they already know and trust.
The results speak for themselves
Before launching OSR-OW, we knew we had to prove it worked. So we put it through thorough testing to validate those fuel savings we promised. The results were even better than expected: an average of 5.3% fuel reduction across eight vessels from the same fleet throughout 2024.
Now, we know every vessel and route is different, but here's what we can confidently say: you'll see at least 3% in savings. To put that in perspective, that's roughly $150,000 saved for every 1,000 tons of fuel used—a value that could contribute to operational efficiency.
We've found OSR-OW really shines on long voyages through open waters, especially when vessels face challenging weather conditions. That's where our optimization makes the biggest difference. The results have been remarkably consistent across most vessel types, though we'll be honest—LNG carriers need some special attention, and we're actively refining our approach for them. We're also fine-tuning our system for the next generation of vessels running on alternative fuels like methanol and ammonia.
After each voyage, operators get detailed reports that show performance trends and reveal exactly how we optimized their route for the weather they encountered.
How we developed the solution
We've learned something important over the years: the best technology solutions happen when industry leaders join forces. The maritime sector has been looking for technology that actually makes daily operations smoother, not more complicated.
Every shipping company seemed to use different data formats and analysis methods. It felt like trying to conduct an orchestra where every musician was reading from a different sheet of music. Balancing all these diverse needs while maximizing the power of machine learning was our most complex puzzle yet.
We built our performance modeling on three solid foundations. First, we trained our system on thousands of voyages from tankers to container ships, combining historical reports with real-time sensor data from every condition imaginable. This helped our model truly understand how each type of vessel behaves in the real world.
Second, we created what we call our combined approach, the perfect marriage between advanced AI and proven nautical engineering wisdom. Our AI spots those complex patterns that traditional methods might miss, but our framework keeps everything grounded in physics. No unrealistic predictions, just solid, dependable results.
Finally, our model never stops learning. It constantly processes new voyage data, and we're always checking its predictions against real-world performance. This creates a continuous feedback loop that keeps us sharp and responsive, even as vessels age and operations evolve.
Growing adoption across the industry
The response has been strong. We already have more than 600 vessels using HMS OceanWise and over 3,000 vessels benefiting from Weathernews' OSR. We're expecting OSR-OW adoption to grow rapidly over the next couple of years.
What excites us most is how this solution tackles two of the industry's biggest challenges at once: cutting fuel costs while staying ahead of increasingly strict environmental regulations. With regulations constantly evolving, OSR-OW helps keep operations both compliant and profitable.
This partnership between Weathernews and HMS is really just the beginning of our story. As we continue building on our combined expertise, we're working on advanced vessel performance simulations that will show operators exactly how different weather scenarios could impact their operations. Plus, we're embracing new technologies and alternative fuels, because the future of shipping is changing, and we want to help shape it.
Rolling Out Worldwide
We're starting our journey with Korean shipping companies, but this is just our opening chapter. Soon, we'll be rolling out OSR-OW to all our customers around the globe. Whether you're running a small operation or managing a massive fleet, OSR-OW works for you—though we've noticed companies with large fleets on long-haul routes really see the magic happen.
The response from our early customers has been energizing. When we tell them about that 3% fuel savings, their enthusiasm is contagious, and rightfully so, because 3% represents serious value in this industry. What makes it even better is that they can achieve these results while staying on their trusted SeaNavigator platform.
Sanghyub Park emphasized the innovative nature of the solution, "OSR-OW is not merely a combination of functions, but the industry's first attempt to integrate weather information and performance optimization technology on a single platform. We have already received high interest from major global shipping companies, and we will continue to provide substantial cost reduction and ESG value through customized optimization for each client."
As we look ahead, OSR-OW represents more than just fuel savings; it's proof that when industry leaders combine their strengths, they can create solutions that truly move the maritime world forward. We're just getting started, and we can't wait to see how this technology will continue evolving alongside the ships and operators who trust it every day.
Read more about our partnership with HD Hyundai Marine Solution in the full press release here
