Other benefits of Virtual Arrival
The adoption of VA has benefits beyond those associated with fuel savings. Its effective implementation requires good cooperation and a dialogue between the vessel owner/operator and the charterer; this serving to remove many of the commercial obstacles in reducing emissions that have hampered some past initiatives. Such obstacles have been associated, for example, with third party and contractual implications; the fact that the party paying for the fuel may not be the technical operator of the ship and the lack of flexibility for speed adjustment. The improved cooperation between vessel owners/operators and charterers also has benefits associated with overall voyage planning. For example, parties can agree that some of the available time may be used for planned maintenance activities, statutory surveys, crew changes or vessel storing. The improved planning of in-port activities that is possible through the early identification of an agreed arrival time may also assist in reducing crew fatigue. Operations can be planned well in advance and uncertainties associated with waiting time and periods at anchor are reduced. Just-in-Time operation heavily depends on improved port operations. When it comes to port operations, among others, the berth operation is closely related to the schedules of ship’s arrivals and the next major concern is the turnaround time of ships in port. The best operation will include the provision of on-arrival berthing services to shipping lines; thus, minimizing ship’s waiting times. As discussed earlier the JIT operation will help port with reduced air pollutants from ships, thus improved local air quality (MariEMS 2017).