Maersk Line Saves $90 Million In Bunker Fuel Bills

Maersk Line is the world's largest container line.

Maersk Line has achieved savings of 160,000 tonnes of fuel and almost $90 million over three years through higher propulsion efficiency gained by measuring the performance of individual vessels, according to a company news release. 

The group says it has used Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) "for years" as a way of measuring its performance for the previous year, but only since since 2009 have KPIs been used as a way to increase a vessel's performance.

Developed by collaboration between the vessels, Maersk Line Vessel Management, and Maersk Maritime Technology, which is in charge of the Maersk Ship Performance System (MSPS), as of 2012 the vessel KPIs measured are energy, safety, daily running costs and cooperation / best practice sharing. 

Only the energy KPI is measured in terms of dollars, it said.

"If you can't measure something, you can't control it. If you can't control it, you can't improve it," said Anup Ragan, Performance Manager in Maersk Line Vessel Management.

"It is essential to realize that the [KPI] scorecards are only a valuable tool if they help facilitate decision making amongst stakeholders," he added.

After seeing the positive results of the programme, the world's largest container line said it upgraded more than 150 vessels with MSPS in the second half of 2011, with Flemming Bo Larsen who is in charge of the "Energy Efficiency Optimization Drive" at Maersk Line saying "we will be able to drive similar performance improvements in the chartered fleet."

Maersk say their other business units are now also measuring vessel performance.

Maersk Supply Service says it was motivated by environmental concerns to save fuel and reduce maintenance costs on engines, and is reporting data on 70 vessels through MSPS.

Maersk Tankers says its is already using KPIs on its entire owned fleet and is planning a roll-out to the chartered vessels as well, with the focus to create energy efficiencies, address safety issues, and cut costs.