Blue Visby helps reduce shipping emissions, fuel use, BV confirms

May 26, 2025, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV), a division of French class society Bureau Veritas, has confirmed the validity of the emissions reduction methodology of the Blue Visby Solution, a multilateral platform developed by 40+ members of the Blue Visby Consortium.

The solution aims to cut emissions from shipping by around 15% through coordinated, sector-wide behavioral change.

Specifically, the platform tackles one of the industry’s most persistent carbon inefficiencies – the practice of “sail fast then wait,” – where ships rush to port only to spend hours or days idling at anchorage. Instead, participating vessels receive optimized arrival times calculated by the Blue Visby Solution algorithm, enabling them to slow steam, reduce fuel consumption, and minimize congestion.

This approach does not rely on new fuels or hardware but rather on a systemic optimization of the ocean passage, contractual refinements, and a methodology for sharing the financial consequences, making it an actionable decarbonization strategy that is available today.

In support of the development of the Blue Visby Solution, BV has conducted an independent technical review of the Blue Visby methodology used to estimate its effect on fuel and emissions. This involved assessing the robustness of the approach used to quantify savings by comparing actual voyage data – including AIS-derived routes and speed profiles – with optimized scenarios generated by the Blue Visby Solution algorithm. In addition, BV assessed the practicability of the methodology in relation to data acquisition and reliability, the completeness of the methodology by reference to all significant factors and also the neutrality of outcome, by reference to the financial interests of the parties concerned. The class society also evaluated the reliability of the digital twin simulations underpinning Blue Visby’s modelling framework.

The assessment confirmed that the simulations accurately reflect real-world voyage behaviors and optimization effects, supporting the credibility of projected emission avoidance. Through this work, BV is helping ensure the solution is technically sound and verifiable for regulators, shipowners, charterers, and other industry stakeholders.

As part of the ongoing work, the Blue Visby Solution team and BV will continue to analyze simulation results, validate assumptions, and jointly consolidate findings based on a representative sample of anonymized voyages, employing arrival time optimization as a practical decarbonization strategy. This process aims to provide the industry with transparent, verifiable data supporting the system’s impact.

“The Blue Visby Solution combines technology with long-established maritime traditions of cost-sharing, collaboration and mutuality. The collaboration illustrates how industry-wide coordination can unlock efficiencies that benefit all stakeholders. We are proud to contribute our expertise to initiatives that make the decarbonization of shipping both credible and achievable,” Matthieu de Tugny, President Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, commented.

Last year, prototype trials of the Blue Visby software were carried out, resulting in significant CO2 savings. Depending on vessel types, the prototype trials showed emission savings of up to 29 percent.

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