Recent statistics are reviewed with regard to deficiencies in standards of seaworthiness often resulting in detention as noted from surveys worldwide. Recent ship loss statistics are analysed, the subject of ownership of Flag of Convenience (FOC) vessels is addressed and FOC registry related to vessel loss data. The increasing age of the world fleets is noted as replacement orders for new hulls have dwindled. Crew costs are discussed and considered in relation to economics and safety of operation. Comparison is made on ship safety between routed and non-routed vessels. Improvements in weather routeing services and safety are noted as a result of employing automated systems.

Increased fuel costs necessitate a careful consideration of consumption when planning voyages trans-ocean. A model is formulated whereby ship response algorithms are matched with forecast environmental conditions expected for the duration of a voyage. A discrete system allows an optimization routine to minimize fuel costs for a trans-atlantic passage, using dynamic programming techniques.

These are simulated by using an on-board boosted micro-computer. The results are discussed and limitations of the system considered.

The purpose of this paper is to show the effect of incorporating various discrete grid systems in a micro-based, ship weather-routeing system, which employs Bellman's dynamic programming algorithm, and either a cost-objective or time-objective performance measure. A simple ship speed and power function is utilized, in the cost computation. The calculation of the least-cost/least-time route is briefly described, but it is the derivation of the discrete grids and their influence on the route decisions that forms the paper's emphasis. The measure of cost within this paper is necessarily notional.