Ocean intelligence and voyage optimisation company Sofar Ocean says that NYK Group is extending its use of Sofar’s Wayfinder platform from NYK’s PCTC division to NYK Tankers.
The expansion is said to reflect NYK’s confidence in Sofar’s ocean data, vessel performance modelling, and daily optimisation guidance to support safer, more fuel-efficient voyage operations.
NYK has made decarbonization a central pillar of its medium-term management plan, ‘Sail Green, Drive Transformations 2026 – A Passion for Planetary Wellbeing’, which includes the acceleration of decarbonisation and digital infrastructure. This partnership is considered a practical, operational demonstration of those commitments: helping crews and operations teams turn strategy into measurable action through daily operating decisions. Using custom weather forecasts, personalised vessel performance models, and daily optimisation guidance, Wayfinder is intended to help NYK’s masters and shore teams make informed route and speed decisions that improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and reduce risk at sea.
NYK’s PCTC programme has delivered sustained gains and high route adoption since the partnership began in 2024. Building on the success of the PCTC partnership, NYK Tanker started working with Sofar Ocean and completed a 33-leg Wayfinder trial that saved 335t of fuel and avoided 1,056t CO2e in 2025/26. During the trial, NYK Tanker captains found Wayfinder’s guidance was easy to use and helpful for voyage decision-making, and noted that they trusted Wayfinder’s weather forecasts.
Capt Tomoaki Nakanishi, NYK Tanker Group Manager, said: “Wayfinder gives our masters practical, data-driven guidance for route and speed decisions while helping our shore teams maintain visibility into vessel performance and voyage risk. Before choosing Wayfinder we evaluated the available options for voyage optimisation and weather guidance. Through our work with Sofar Ocean we have seen how high-precision weather data, vessel performance models, and daily optimisation guidance support safer, more efficient operations as well as better informed conversations with charterers.”
Additionally, NYK bel;ieves that Wayfinder can achieve safer operations, fewer CO2 emissions, and reduce bunkering costs.
Tim Janssen, CEO and co-founder, Sofar Ocean, added: “NYK is turning their decarbonisation strategy into practical action. We are proud to support NYK Tankers with our weather data, performance modelling, and optimisation tools to improve voyage outcomes while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.”
Image: Tim Janssen, CEO and co-founder, Sofar Ocean (source: Sofar Ocean)
