Optimising Neu Seeschiffahrt’s fleet with ZeroNorth

With tightening environmental regulations and rising operational costs, Neu Seeschiffahrt is leveraging data to optimise its fleet and prepare for the future.

The company operates six VLOCs (Very Large Ore Carriers) of 300,000 DWT, running shuttle trades between Brazil, West Africa and China - routes demanding long sea days and high fuel consumption. It also manages a mix of Capesize and Newcastlemax vessels in the spot market, presenting the dual challenge of optimising both regular trades and variable spot operations while improving fuel efficiency and meeting regulatory demands.

"For us, the first step to reducing our Carbon footprint is simply burning less fuel," explains William Wallace, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer. "Whether it’s better weather routing, speed optimisation, or technical upgrades, every step must have a tangible impact."

After evaluating several platforms, Neu selected ZeroNorth for its comprehensive tools, combining voyage optimisation, emissions monitoring, and vessel performance analysis. "What stood out was ZeroNorth’s ability to integrate technical and operational data into a single platform," Wallace says. "This isn’t just about weather routing - it’s about full visibility into fleet performance, from voyages to individual vessels."

With ZeroNorth, Neu can now monitor vessel performance in real time, detecting underperformance timely rather than after lengthy trades. "The worst-case scenario is discovering issues after a 40-day voyage," Wallace explains. "ZeroNorth allows us to act immediately and avoid inefficiencies."

Through crew training and operational improvements, the company has already cut fuel consumption at anchorage by a third. Now, with ZeroNorth’s real-time optimisation tools, Neu is enhancing voyage efficiency while tracking emissions, helping avoid inefficiencies that might otherwise go unnoticed.

"We believe in steady, meaningful progress," Wallace says. "Practical solutions improve operations today and prepare us for the future. ZeroNorth is a key part of that strategy."

For Neu, partnerships are about collaboration, not transactions. "Carbon regulations require managers, operators, and technical teams to work together," Wallace notes. "We very much value partnerships like ZeroNorth, which help us integrate these efforts and plan for the next 10, 20, or even 30 years.”