Accelleron has teamed up with nonprofit marine conservation organization Whale Guardians to develop a solution that will incorporate whaleprotection routing data into voyage optimization, making shipping safer for marine life.
On World Ocean Day, marked annually on June 8, attention focuses on protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Among the most pressing challenges, ship strikes kill thousands of whales each year globally. As well as endangering marine life, these incidents also threaten the health of our oceans. Whales clean and fertilize the waters they swim in, support biodiversity and, over their lifetimes, have a further positive climate impact by helping the oceans sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide. Whales are both key contributors and indicators of ocean health.
From scientific insight to operational route decisions
Whale Guardians, together with local partners, has studied interactions with whales around key ports across the world and has meticulously defined safe routes, areas to avoid, and operating patterns to reduce disturbances. These help minimize the risk of vessels encountering whales, with all the environmental damage, trauma, and cost that ship strikes incur.
In a unique cooperation, Accelleron is working to integrate Whale Guardians’ data into its OptiNav AI voyage optimization tool, part of its LOREKA360° suite of digital solutions. The integration will enable ship operators to consider routing options that avoid areas known to be frequented by whales, alongside speed profiles designed to minimize the risk of strikes. It will also take into account the disturbance caused to marine mammals by underwater noise radiating from vessels.
Supporting transparency and sustainability reporting
The integration will also provide verifiable evidence of sustainable routing practices that charterers can share with their customers as credible proof points of their sustainability efforts. Mitigating the impact of transport on marine life and oceans is already part of several sustainability reporting frameworks and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Captain Gurjeet Warya, Accelleron’s Head of Voyage Operations, said:
“Those of us who make our living from the oceans have an extra reason to care about their health and protection, and about the well-being of the animals that call them home. By bringing Whale Guardians’ data into OptiNav AI, we hope to make whale-safe routing not just best practice, but ultimately standard practice – and one that gives cargo owners an important indicator of their transport partners’ efforts to use the oceans responsibly.” The partnership reflects Accelleron’s purpose of accelerating sustainability in the marine and energy industries by translating environmental insight into practical operational decisions.
Whale Guardians CEO and Co-Founder Michael Fishbach said:
“We are proud to partner with Accelleron, a global technology leader in the maritime industry, which will significantly expand the impact of our voluntary routing recommendations that protect whales and their habitats. Enabling ships to share the seas safely with whales is our mission, and this collaboration makes that possible for any ship, anywhere.”
OptiNav AI is a hardware-agnostic voyage optimization solution for all vessel types, available as part of the LOREKA360° suite or as a standalone product. By balancing fuel efficiency, emissions compliance, safety, and commercial requirements, it enables captains and fleet operators to assess routing options before a voyage begins. Future releases will incorporate routing features designed to reduce the risk of ship strikes on whales.
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