Smoother shipping with a global ocean wave forecast API 🌊
Sea state refers to the condition of the sea surface, characterized by wave height, wave period, and wave direction. It significantly affects commercial shipping by impacting vessel stability, fuel consumption, and travel time. Rough seas can lead to delays, increased operational costs, potential damage to cargo, and harm to crew. Understanding and predicting sea state is crucial in order to:
- Increase operational efficiency, as optimised routes lead to lower fuel costs and faster delivery times;
- Improve sustainability, as reducing fuel consumption leads to lower carbon footprint; and
- Safety: avoiding severe weather and rough seas prevents accidents, cargo damage, and potential loss of life.
Météo-France’s global ocean analysis and forecast system provides daily analyses with 10-day forecasts, and a rolling 2 year record, for sea surface waves. Its MFWAM wave model includes predictions ofsignificant wave height, period, direction, Stokes drift, and more. The system operates on a 1/12 degree resolution grid, assimilating altimeter data every 6 hours and offering 3-hourly updates. The model, driven by the IFS-ECMWF wind model, partitions wave data into wind waves and primary and secondary swell waves. Full details of the model and data products can be found here.
We are excited to add this data source to our Ocean Web API, enabling innovation in ship route optimisation and other marine planning software. The API and its underlying model place a rich set of variables at your fingertips, including, but not limited to:
Mean Wave Direction (VMDR): the predominant direction from which waves originate. It is vital for navigation and course planning, as sailing directly into or across waves can significantly reduce speed and increase fuel consumption. Conversely, sailing with the waves can improve efficiency and safety. Understanding VMDR helps in plotting the most effective course, balancing fuel efficiency and voyage safety.
Spectral Significant Wave Height (VHM0): represents the mean height of the highest one-third of waves. Higher significant wave heights can lead to severe rolling and pitching, increasing the likelihood of cargo loss and structural damage. Accurate knowledge of VHM0 allows for the avoidance of particularly rough seas, ensuring smoother and safer voyages.
Spectral Significant Wind Wave Height (VHM0_WW): measures the height of wind-generated waves, which are typically shorter and more irregular than swell waves. These waves can greatly affect the ship’s handling and stability, especially in open waters.
Spectral Significant Primary Swell Wave Height (VHM0_SW1): denotes the height of primary swell waves, which are longer and more persistent than wind waves. These swells can significantly influence the ship’s motion, causing rolling and pitching that can affect cargo safety and passenger comfort.
Wave Period at Spectral Peak (VTPK): identifies the period of the most energetic waves in the spectrum. Knowing VTPK prevents resonance by aligning a ship’s natural roll period, reducing structural stress.
Stokes Drift (VSDY and VSDX): Stokes drift (north-south and east-west) represents the average motion of water particles due to wave action. It affects the actual path a ship travels and its fuel efficiency. Understanding Stokes drift is essential for correcting course deviations and optimizing fuel usage.
Plan your Blue Economy activities using predictions of ocean waves, physical properties, biogeochemistry properties, and bathymetry, via our Ocean Web API. The OpenAPI specification is available here. Drop us a line at contact@amentum.com.au if you have any questions, or sign up for a 14 day free trial here. Ongoing commercial access is covered by a Service Level Agreement with plans starting from 100 AUD per month per endpoint.
Wishing you fair winds and following seas for your marine innovations!
⚓ Amentum Scientific 🌊
