ABSTRACT
Ship routing is concerned with determining an optimal track for ocean voyages based on wave and weather forecasts of weather, and the vessel’s seakeeping characteristics. There are a number of different approaches to calculate the shortest or in some sense ‘optimal’ path/route between two nodes representing the start and destination ports. Within specified limits of weather and sea conditions, the term ‘optimum’ may be defined to mean maximum safety and crew comfort, minimum fuel consumption, minimum time underway, or any combination of these factors.
