Presentation Information
[8uJbD0lg-06]Least-CO₂ routing of bulk carriers on the Australia–Japan iron-ore green corridor using VISIR-2
*Mario Leonardo Salinas1 (1. CMCC (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change) (Italy))
Iron-ore shipping between Western Australia and Japan is one of the world's largest dry-bulk trades. In particular, the maritime lane from the Pilbara region in Australia has been identified as a priority corridor, with the operation of clean-ammonia vessels targeted from 2028 [1]. However, total-cost-of-ownership analyses indicate that, without a proper incentivising framework, scalable zero-emission fuels will remain above conventional bunkers [2, 3]. Thus, measures that cut fuel burned per voyage carry growing economic as well as environmental value. Operational voyage optimisation is one such measure, complementary to fleet renewal, and immediately deployable on this route.
We apply the open-source VISIR-2 weather routing model [4], which powers an on-demand service within the EDITO-Model Lab digital twin of the ocean [5], to a bulk carrier on the Australia–Japan corridor. Using a vessel performance curve derived from onboard sensor measurements [6], VISIR-2 computes least-CO₂ routes by optimising spatial diversions forced by the Copernicus Marine global ocean waves and global ocean physics (surface currents) products [7]. Additionally, it can optimise the engine load profile to achieve just-in-time arrival [ref Mannarini et al. (2027), in preparation].
We simulate a full calendar year in both laden (northbound) and ballast (southbound) directions, running each case with and without ocean currents to isolate their contribution. We quantify CO₂ savings against the least-distance route, their seasonal variability, and the trade-off with voyage time. The study shows how a digital-twin routing service extends from container trades [8, 9] to dry-bulk operations, providing physically consistent decision support. By lowering both emissions and exposure to rising fuel and compliance costs [2, 3], this approach complements fleet renewal and alternative fuels in decarbonising the Australia–Japan iron-ore corridor, and advances the blue-economy goals of the UN Ocean Decade.
We apply the open-source VISIR-2 weather routing model [4], which powers an on-demand service within the EDITO-Model Lab digital twin of the ocean [5], to a bulk carrier on the Australia–Japan corridor. Using a vessel performance curve derived from onboard sensor measurements [6], VISIR-2 computes least-CO₂ routes by optimising spatial diversions forced by the Copernicus Marine global ocean waves and global ocean physics (surface currents) products [7]. Additionally, it can optimise the engine load profile to achieve just-in-time arrival [ref Mannarini et al. (2027), in preparation].
We simulate a full calendar year in both laden (northbound) and ballast (southbound) directions, running each case with and without ocean currents to isolate their contribution. We quantify CO₂ savings against the least-distance route, their seasonal variability, and the trade-off with voyage time. The study shows how a digital-twin routing service extends from container trades [8, 9] to dry-bulk operations, providing physically consistent decision support. By lowering both emissions and exposure to rising fuel and compliance costs [2, 3], this approach complements fleet renewal and alternative fuels in decarbonising the Australia–Japan iron-ore corridor, and advances the blue-economy goals of the UN Ocean Decade.
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