Shipping operations are the main artery of logistics, transporting goods and energy resources. Skilled engineers spend a great deal of time and effort to formulate the best ship allocation plans, taking into account the ever-changing weather conditions and the supply-demand balance. Grid optimizes all operations related to marine transportation using AI to support our daily lives.

AI optimizes vessel allocation plans for domestic cargo transportation of petroleum and other chemical products as well as daily commodities. AI formulates optimal plans that take into account various constraints such as vessel operating efficiency, product loading balance, and vessel operating hours including voyage time and cargo handling time.

example1

Coastal Vessel Allocation Plan

AI will design a digital twin that reflects constraints such as bunkering locations and timing unique to ocean-going vessels via overseas bases and shippers' purchasing contract rules, and formulate the optimal plan.

example2

Oceangoing Vessel Allocation Plan

A vessel allocation plan for transporting coal, which is used as fuel for power generation, from the procurement base to the power plant. A vessel allocation plan is required to ensure that the power plant does not run out of fuel inventory while satisfying the numerous constraints related to the type of coal storage yard, loading method, and marine transportation. Grid uses AI to automate the formulation of optimal plans that take into account everything from procurement and allocation to loading.

example3

Fuel Procurement and Loading Plan

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Reproduction of field operations on a digital twin. A precisely reproduced digital twin allows you to test your actions in any situation.

solution1

Simulation

AI derives optimal operations according to set KPIs on the simulator.

solution2

AI Optimization

AI pseudo-generates multiple demand forecast scenarios to prepare for an uncertain future. Optimal plans corresponding to each scenario are calculated, and the results are analyzed to enable robust planning.

solution3

Scenario planning

Challenges Surrounding the Shipping Industry


Decarbonation
Ships use a large amount of petroleum-derived energy as fuel, and reducing their environmental impact has become an issue. On the other hand, the volume of cargo transported by sea, which generates less CO2 emissions than other modes of transportation, is expected to increase in the future. Therefore, further promotion of decarbonization is a major challenge for the industry.

Decarbonation

Domestic vessels, which carry about 40% of domestic cargo transport, are facing a serious shortage of manpower. As the number of crew members decreases, the number of transport vessels will have to be reduced, leading to higher transportation costs and eventually to higher prices for goods themselves. In addition to securing seafarers, it is necessary to shorten transport time by efficiently allocating vessels in a lean and efficient manner.

Shorthanded

Since earnings vary greatly depending on economic trends, there is a need for a transformation to a stable earnings structure. We are participating in new businesses based on the know-how we have accumulated in the shipping business, such as offshore wind power and the use of facilities other than those used for shipping. The simulation can also be used to simulate the management of such new businesses in order to launch them in earnest.

 Impact of Economic Trends

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海運×AI最適化

Vessel

グリッドは、「INFRASTRUCTURE＋LIFE＋INNOVATION」を企業理念として、テクノロジーを用いて社会インフラにイノベーションを起こし、インフラ全体の最適化を目指し、社会に貢献することをミッションに活動しております

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Grid co.

海運に関わる計画業務をAIで自動化・最適化を実現する「ReNom Vessel」についてのページです。
デジタルツインと最適化AIを融合し、複雑な計画業務のDXを可能とします。

ドメイン・海運

The company pioneered the development of an AI optimization system for vessel allocation planning in the petroleum wholesale industry. The system takes into account various constraints such as vessel operating efficiency, product loading balance, and vessel operating hours including voyage time and cargo handling time, enabling vessel allocation plans to be formulated in line with actual operations. The verification experiment has already confirmed that the time required for planning and transportation efficiency have already been improved, making it possible to improve the efficiency of the entire ship allocation operation.

idemitsu

Development of an optimization system for vessel allocation planning for domestic vessels of petroleum products

Started development of an AI optimization system to formulate ocean-going vessel allocation plans for approximately 120 car carriers, the largest number of car carriers in the world among shipping companies. The system also aims to reduce GHG emissions while taking into account various conditions such as ship schedule, ship type, and available space, etc. A system equipped with a ship allocation plan optimization AI engine will be developed for full-scale operation in 2024 to improve operational efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.