Nautilus Labs: Reducing Carbon Emissions with Machine Learning

While the maritime industry has embraced the clarion call to decarbonise, alternative fuels and propulsion technologies have yet to be fully developed. In the interim, the industry must adopt more immediate ways to galvanise change.

This is where Nautilus Labs is making a difference to drive more sustainable shipping.

Utilising the capabilities of machine learning, Nautilus Labs provides data-driven insights that help maritime companies reduce their carbon emissions. 

Brainstorming new ideas

Setting Up Shop in Singapore

As an International Maritime Centre, Singapore was a clear choice for the New York-headquartered company to branch out to. Besides the nation’s emphasis on digitalisation and sustainability, the industry receives strong support from both public and private sectors. There is a budding start-up scene and innovators are provided with the necessary resources for business expansion.

“Singapore has always been at the forefront of innovation in many sectors and maritime is no exception. Early adopters of maritime innovation push the industry forward by unlocking use cases, showcasing results, and supporting younger companies on their journey. Singapore’s emphasis on decarbonisation imperatives has also accelerated digital adoption and transformation, making it an attractive maritime city.”

Innovation at Nautilus Labs

The Voyage Optimization solution offers real-time predictions of voyage outcomes in the market. Deployed across several energy majors, large operators, and leading ship owners, the platform aids maritime leaders in their decision-making process thereby generating a tangible impact on fuel consumption and emissions.

“Adopting Nautilus’s Collaborative Voyage Optimization solution causes significant emissions and cost reductions with immediate impact. On average, operators can cut fuel consumption from up to 10 to 12 percent per voyage, with potential savings of up to 30 percent. It also decreases congestion at ports that reduces wait-time when docking while providing much-needed predictive confidence,” Leslie shares. 

Nautilus’s Voyage Optimization Platform

Approach to LNG

The transportation of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is even more complex as vessels have to meet specific terminal requirements at their arrival port. To meet these targets, many ships sail in circles (“laps”) close to their destination. Nautilus Labs believes that this is not the right approach as it leads to increased CO2 emissions, extra costs from excess fuel consumption, engine wear & tear, and additional navigation risks that come with making laps in high-traffic areas. 

“For LNG vessels, we take even more factors into account, as the transport of LNG is very complex. Not only do these vessels have to meet specific ETAs, but also have cargo temperature and pressure requirements at their arrival port. Our Boil-off Gas Optimization recommends the optimal operation, enabling vessels to meet such requirements while reducing their carbon footprint,” Leslie remarks.

Using Nautilus Labs’ Boil-off Gas Optimisation (BOG), clients have seen a significant improvement in their operations. For example, one client achieved a reduction of 280 MT of CO2– equivalent to taking 61 cars off the road in a year– and US$153,000 in total savings in just nine days.

Nautilus Labs team at work

Digitalisation in the Maritime Industry

“Any new technological solution follows the law of diffusion of innovation. The digital transformation consists of 10% digital and 90% transformation. Young innovative companies see success by working with the first wave of innovators and adopters. At Nautilus, we have seen early adopters like Eastern Pacific Shipping pushing the whole industry forward by unlocking use cases, showcasing results, and supporting younger companies on their journey.”

Nautilus Labs’ team in discussion

Additionally, an increasing number of binding and non-binding regulations are coming into force. In order to adapt to the evolving situation, shipping companies have to adopt digital solutions. The ocean supply chain will play an essential role in the decarbonisation of global trade – and now is the time to invest in the right technologies that will support that transformation. Stakeholders will be empowered to collaborate and break down historic silos to reduce emissions while maximising their commercial outcomes.

When asked for advice for students and jobseekers aspiring to be part of the digital evolution in the industry, Leslie responded that they must “be eager to learn” and “be aligned with the company’s mission”.

“The industry is in the midst of digitalisation, and it is meant to evolve – you have to constantly be on the pulse of change and innovation while keeping in mind that shipping is a massive industry and an essential part of the global supply chain. We hope to see new names disrupting the established order,” Leslie elaborates.

It is an incredible opportunity to contribute to maritime’s decarbonisation efforts. Explore career opportunities that will allow you to be part of this green transition today.

Inaugural MSC Maritime Digital Challenge Grand Finals Prize Presentation

Over 129 tertiary students across 35 teams took part in the inaugural MSC Maritime Digital Challenge that seeks to plug Singapore students with a passion for technology into the maritime industry.
Students from the Singapore Management University and Nanyang Polytechnic were announced as winners of the challenges posed by Eastport Maritime, Kanda and Torvald Klaveness at the Prize Presentation held on 13 November 2021.

MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021

Three challenge statements, 35 teams, 129 students and 12 finalist teams from 4 universities & 3 polytechnics. Catch behind-the-scene highlights of the MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021.

Singapore Maritime Foundation | MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021

Catch highlights of the MSC Maritime Digital Challenge 2021. We thank Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport Mr. Chee Hong Tat for being our Guest-of-Honour at the event.

SMF New Year Conversations 2022: Year-in-Perspective Video

The past two years of learning to live with Covid-19 has been challenging, but Maritime Singapore has remained resilient. What are the fundamental tenets that attract companies to anchor their business in Singapore and grow their operations here? And what more can be done to leverage on Singapore’s strengths to enhance its attractiveness as a global business hub for maritime companies? How will the Singapore Maritime Foundation organize its work around Connectivity, Innovation and Talent to strengthen the maritime ecosystem? Find out in this Year-in-Perspective video.

SMF New Year Conversations 2022: Opportunities Amid Disruptions

The 2022 SMF New Year Conversations that took place on 13 January 2022 was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport & Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations. Over 250 industry leaders across the breadth of maritime attended physically and virtually.
Singapore was announced to have secured the overall top spot as an international maritime centre for the fifth consecutive time in the DNV-Menon Leading Maritime Cities 2022 report.
Thank you to our industry partners for your strong support.

Mr. Lars Kastrup

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL LINES

Mr. Lars Kastrup is the Chief Executive Officer of Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd (PIL).

Prior to joining PIL, Mr. Kastrup was CEO of NOL/APL, and subsequently assumed the role of Executive Vice President, Strategy and M&A at CMA CGM Group. A veteran in the global shipping industry with over 30 years of experience, Mr Kastrup’s other roles include Executive Vice President of Assets at CMA CGM Group heading up CMA Terminals, CMA Ships, Container Logistics as well as regional carriers such as MacAndrews, OPDR and Mercosul; as well as Vice President at AP Moller-Maersk.
Mr. Kastrup complemented his tertiary education with leadership and management training at Penn State University and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Angeline Teo

MANAGING DIRECTOR & HEAD, GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION & OFFSHORE, OCBC BANK

Ms. Angeline Teo is the Managing Director and Head of Global Transportation and Offshore, Global Corporate Banking at OCBC Bank which focuses on the maritime, aviation, land & port ecosystems.
Ms. Teo has spent over three decades in maritime finance. Prior to OCBC, Ms. Teo was working at ING Bank, ABN Amro and DnB in Singapore focusing on maritime and offshore.
Ms. Teo graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Business Administration.

Mr. John Martin

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GARD SINGAPORE

Mr. John Martin began his career in London in 1989 with Richards Hogg Lindley Average Adjusters, and qualified as a Fellow of the UK Association of Average Adjusters in 2000.
At RHL he worked in their offices in Australia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 2003 he joined Gard Hong Kong, as a claims handler. Mr. Martin also worked in Gard Japan, and in 2014 he moved to Singapore to set up the Gard Singapore office.
Besides running Gard Singapore, Mr. Martin also heads the P&I and H&M claims units and is the Senior Claims Representative for Gard in Asia.

Mr. Cyril Ducau

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EASTERN PACIFIC SHIPPING

Mr. Cyril Ducau is the Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte Ltd, a leading shipping company headquartered in Singapore for the past 30 years.

He is also currently the Chairman of Kenon Holdings Ltd and a member of the board of directors of Gard P&I (Bermuda) Ltd. and of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation Limited, which was established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. He was previously Head of Business Development of Quantum Pacific Advisory Limited in London from 2008 to 2012 and acted as Director and Chairman of Pacific Drilling SA between 2011 and 2018.
Prior to joining Quantum Pacific Advisory Limited, Mr. Ducau was Vice President in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley & Co. International Ltd. in London between 2000 and 2008.
Mr. Ducau graduated from ESCP Europe Business School (Paris, Oxford, Berlin) and holds a Master of Science in business administration and a Diplom Kaufmann.