Digitalising the bunker market
Is the bunkering sector ready to digitalise its processes?
All sectors are going to be affected by digitalisation, especially with the growing importance of environmental reporting and compliance. The maritime industry needs solutions that can support it in improving efficiency and effective decision-making. There is often a fear of change or the “unknown”, so customers need intuitive digital solutions that make their lives easier immediately whilst being user friendly. It is with all this in mind that Fuelink has been developed as a one stop shop for bunker data management and fuel supply optimisation. This bunker-specific digital platform has been designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and control, with all bunker-related information stored in one place.
How can Fuelink increase voyage efficiency?
Fuelink allows for the simulation and comparison of different scenarios based on both conventional and alternative fuel voyages on different routes, whilst taking in account the prevailing regulations. This is achieved by combining information taken automatically from AIS and noon reports, that are being provided from our clients and their fleets, and through the utilization of our pricing algorithm. Users can then make informed decisions on when, where and what to bunker to achieve the most cost-effective voyage.
How can digital technology support compliance with the latest regulations?
Digital solutions can revolutionise how companies keep on top of ensuring they are compliant with the latest regulations. Fuelink, for example, supports EU ETS compliance and inventory management of EUAs. Users can load voyage schedules and calculate ETS costs within seconds, monitoring the markets at different times and comparing different scenarios before buying EUAs through the platform at the optimum time, and automatically keeping a record of all purchased. By aiding transparency and significantly improving efficiency, Fuelink is supporting clients in confident and informed decision-making that supports regulatory compliance.
How can digital technology expedite the claims process?
Technical support, from the point of order right through to delivery and beyond, provides continuity as Fuelink provides a very clear value record of all purchases in a standalone inventory system. The data that is needed throughout the claims system remains in one place and is available for people in different locations to access should a claim situation arise. The records are accessible to all relevant parties allowing the user to monitor all relevant documentation and progress of the claim resolution process.
How is digital technology optimising workflows?
Fragmented information sitting across various systems and locations takes time to manually collate and analyse, which has been the status quo in the global marine fuel supply industry. Now, Fuelink acts as a central repository for all bunker-related information, centralising real time data that allows machine learning to simulate fuel cost scenarios, create automated reporting and alerts, measure bunkering performance, and support GHG emissions management.
The platform records and tracks all deliveries, hosting bunker delivery notes (BDNs), invoices, surveyor reports, Certificates of Quality (CoQs), ISCC information, bunker sampling and analysis reports, statement of facts, and claims handling documentation. This provides ease of access and improves auditing, benchmarking and automated reporting for commercial, operations, and any other relevant departments.
The power of this combined data can be a key factor in streamlining the user’s operations. Being able to access useful, and digestible information at the touch of a button has never been more critical. In addition, the entire bunker value chain is tracked, monitored and supported by a dedicated aftersales support team located across all the major time zones, available to support users in real time.
By aiding transparency and significantly improving efficiency, Fuelink supports confident and informed decision-making, that will also aid regulatory compliance, while also saving time and money.
