Operational Results from Voyage Optimisation

In a recent industry webinar, TotalEnergies, Socatra, and Syroco came together to present a compelling case for wind-assisted propulsion and intelligent voyage optimisation, sharing results from over a year of real-world operations on the chemical/product tanker Alcyone.

The 50,000 DWT vessel, owned and operated by Socatra and chartered by TotalEnergies, was retrofitted with two Norsepower rotor sails in early 2024. In parallel, Syroco’s voyage optimisation platform, based on a dynamic digital twin, was deployed to plan and optimise voyages, taking into account wind, waves, currents, and ship-specific parameters.

The webinar was opened by Sébastien Roche (General Manager, Shipping Performance & Innovation, TotalEnergies Trading & Shipping), who set the context of the energy transition and the company’s dual focus on alternative fuels and energy efficiency. He emphasised that smart routing and operational flexibility are key to realising the full potential of wind propulsion.

Hector Firino-Martell (Fleet Manager at Socatra) described how Alcyone was selected for her long-haul Pacific voyages and high-frequency data systems. Beyond hardware installation, the project was about redefining operational behaviour, with captains dynamically adjusting routes and speeds to maximise wind power. Initial crew skepticism gave way to strong engagement, even sparking friendly competition among masters.

Alex Caizergues from Syroco presented the technology behind the voyage optimisation platform, which leverages a detailed digital twin incorporating the vessel’s characteristics and the RotorSails model. Masters are provided with optimised routes and fuel-saving estimates, and shore teams support with 24x7 guidance. Importantly, trust and transparency across stakeholders have been essential to adoption.

The results speak for themselves: after 14 months, Alcyone achieved an average 10% fuel saving, equating to over 1,000 tonnes of fuel and 3,000 tonnes of CO2 saved. On favourable voyages, such as Fiji to Papeete, savings reached up to 22%, all while maintaining ETAs. The success has prompted further deployment of Syroco’s routing on conventional vessels, including the methanol-ready Ecomar Gascogne, with early gains of 4-6%.

The webinar concluded with a shared conviction: while wind propulsion isn’t a “fit and forget” solution, its potential is undeniable, especially when paired with smart routing, crew engagement, and operational agility.