Brittany Ferries has achieved fuel savings of up to 6% by using a digital twin-enhanced routing system developed with Adrena and Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore.
The technology has been tested during thousands of commercial voyages and monitored for nearly two years aboard Galicia, one of Brittany Ferries’ E-Flexer-class vessels. Following those results, the system has been deployed across nine vessels in the company’s fleet.
From route optimisation to digital twins
Brittany Ferries and Adrena first launched the AdrenaShip system in 2016. It was designed to optimise vessel routes while improving fuel efficiency and operational safety, initially delivering fuel savings of around 4%.
The project expanded in 2022 when Bureau Veritas Solutions joined to develop digital twins tailored to individual vessels. These digital models use operational data and engineering analysis to improve the accuracy of routing recommendations and provide guidance on machinery operation.
With the addition of the digital twins, the partners recorded fuel savings of up to 6%. Importantly, the improvements were achieved while maintaining schedules, operational reliability and service quality.
The system was tested under the demanding conditions of Brittany Ferries’ regular services between France, the United Kingdom, Guernsey, Ireland and Spain. These routes involve mainly short crossings with tight operating schedules.
Results validated during commercial voyages
Adrena said its routing and fuel consumption prediction model reached 97% reliability during the project. Rather than relying only on simulations, the results were measured during actual commercial crossings with strict arrival-time requirements.
“The results achieved on the Galicia confirm what we have been developing for close to 15 years: a routing and consumption prediction model with 97% reliability,” said Michel Rodet, Chairman and Founder of Adrena.
Brittany Ferries said the project shows how digital technology can reduce vessel energy consumption without disrupting normal operations.
“This initiative perfectly illustrates our commitment to developing tailor-made digital solutions that are adapted to the specific characteristics of our fleet and our operations,” said Brice Robinson, Head of Studies and Projects at Brittany Ferries.
The AdrenaShip initiative is part of Brittany Ferries’ wider decarbonisation programme. The company is also using OptiCARBON, a Bureau Veritas Solutions platform that supports operational optimisation and investment decisions for vessel retrofits and fleet renewal.
