Shipboard Fuel Monitoring System

Nautical Control Solutions (NCS), an Iridium value-added reseller, developed the FuelTrax™ vessel monitoring system. FuelTrax uses fuel flow sensors and engine room electronics to collect real-time information on ships’ fuel consumption, speed and heading. On-board electronics enable vessel operations to analyze fuel and speed performance, and determine the optimum throttle settings for maximum fuel efficiency. Vessel and fuel information is transmitted through the Iridium satellite network to a shore-based Web service called FuelNet™ where it is permanently stored and can be viewed on-demand via a Web browser.

When properly used, FuelTrax can reduce fuel consumption by eight to twelve percent, depending on existing conditions. Other information about the vessel route and bunkering locations is also maintained within the FuelNet system. FuelTrax Version 2.0, released in late 2006, incorporates a graphical mapping system that overlays fuel consumption and fuel events on the route the vessel has taken. The new mapping capability graphically portrays fuel consumption, transfers and loading within an accuracy of one meter on one minute intervals.