A multidisciplinary research team from the Barcelona School of Nautical Studies (FNB) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) are developing a new system based on machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, for the purpose of reducing fuel consumption and improving the energy efficiency of the vessels of Open Arms, an NGO focused on rescuing people at sea.

The FNB-Open Arms project is the first case of technology transfer carried out under the auspices of the Fractus-UPC Deep Tech Hub, a collaboration environment formed by the Fractus company (a pioneer in antenna technology development) and the UPC to promote and market deep tech innovations in several fields.

The Fractus-UPC Deep Tech Hub contributes to implementing a system designed to enhance the efficiency of the Open Arms vessel—a 37-meter-long, old tugboat that can consume up to 3,000 litres of diesel daily.

Factors during navigation
The system uses machine learning to determine the factors affecting the vessel’s fuel consumption and to make recommendations to reduce it during navigation.

In the first stage, the system will monitor the ship’s fuel consumption and speed, sea conditions and trimming—the adjustment of onboard elements to maximise propulsion and utilise motor power to the fullest.

Based on the parameters and consumption recorded, a machine learning model will be defined
that can learn during subsequent missions how to cover longer distances with the lowest possible fuel consumption. This is fundamental for Open Arms, whose vessels sail the seas in search of situations in which maritime rescue is required.

At a later stage, other factors will be incorporated, such as hull condition, electrical needs and weather conditions. After processing these parameters, the system will determine, in real time, the optimal propulsion conditions to reduce fuel consumption during the ship’s voyages.

Data are recorded or collected by equipment and sensors already installed on the ship—AIS systems, GPS and power plant—or by devices and equipment intended for this project, such as the new flowmeters, funded by Fractus, which will be installed on board the vessel starting in September for use in upcoming missions.

Thanks to the data collected and processed and the decisions recommended by the system, not only will fuel consumption be reduced, but also the environmental impact of Open Arms, especially on marine environments. In addition, the NGO will use the savings in fuel and operational costs for other actions linked to maritime rescue.

According to Fractus CEO and co-founder Rubén Bonet, “we are proud to be part of this project that not only aims to reduce Open Arms’ fuel consumption, but also has a direct impact on its ability to allocate more resources to its vital task of saving lives at sea. We strongly believe that the cornerstone of Deep Tech lies in bringing technological innovation that generates positive changes in our society.” Bonet adds that “collaborating with Open Arms gives us the chance to contribute our expertise to such a noble humanitarian purpose, demonstrating that technology can be a driver of social and environmental progress.”

Open Arms technical director Martín Maretta states that “this new technology will allow us to measure fuel consumption, optimising operational efficiency and reducing costs and emissions. It also facilitates compliance with environmental regulations and improves the planning of our maritime routes. Additionally, it supports the early identification of technical issues, extending the engine’s lifespan.”

The leader of this energy optimisation project is researcher Xavier Martínez Garcia, who is a professor at the UPC’s Barcelona School of Nautical Studies. He explains that currently “there is no machine learning system on the market that determines the optimal navigation of a vessel based on real-time monitoring of the various factors involved during navigation.”

Video 'Innovative technology of the FNB to reduce the fuel consumption of the humanitarian ship Open Arms', with the professor Xavier Martínez Garriga

Scalable to any vessel
The FNB-Open Arms project is led by Xavier Martínez García, a professor at the FNB and a researcher at the UPC’s Continuum and Computational Mechanics (MC 2 ) research group.
Other notable team members in this first stage include Clara Borén Altés, Rosa Maria Fernández and Pau Trubat Casal, all from the FNB, and Fernández, a professor at the UPC’s Terrassa School of Industrial, Aerospace and Audiovisual Engineering (ESEIAAT).

In subsequent stages, the project will incorporate more UPC researchers, specialised in monitored parameters and in determining their impact on fuel consumption. The team also has the support of Open Arms’ sea and land personnel and experts in navigation, machine learning technologies and real-time sensing.

The project began in January. The system is expected to be deployed on the vessel to define
navigation options and proposals from September onwards. In the following stages, validation tests will be carried out during some missions, improvements will be made and new parameters—as many as deemed necessary—will be added to the system, in the hope of replicating the model on other Open Arms vessels in the future.

Recognised for its social impact
In July 2023, this FNB-UPC project for Open Arms received the UPC Social Commitment Award, organised by the University’s Board of Trustees to promote and distinguish research, teaching and knowledge transfer initiatives that may be applicable or have an impact on society.

More than a year ago, Fractus and the UPC launched the Fractus-UPC Deep Tech Hub, an ecosystem dedicated precisely to fostering innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship and to setting the stage for market transfer of deep tech to address social needs.