1) The document summarizes surface current predictions made by Deltares for Team AkzoNobel in the Volvo Ocean Race 2018, combining output from three ocean models with horizontal resolutions ranging from 1nm to 9km to provide 7-day forecasts of surface currents globally and locally in the North Sea. 2) Initial pilots included forecasts for AkzoNobel's boat christening trip in June 2017 and "Leg Zero" in August 2017, with feedback informing improvements. Tile-based current maps were provided for each race leg to aid routing decisions. 3) AkzoNobel's use of forecasts showing favorable currents were believed to have enabled speed and time gains over rivals, including setting a new 24-hour speed

1. From Global to Local:
Volvo Ocean Race 2018
Surface current predictions for Team Akzo-Nobel
by João Rego, Tony Minns, Bas Stengs
& Martin Verlaan, Firmijn Zijl, Maialen Irazoqui, Lora Buckman (Deltares)
and Simeon Tienpont, Jules Salter, Aksel Magdahl, Rosco Monson (TAN)
Tony.Minns@deltares.nl
13 Nov 2018

2. 7 december 2018
Global Modelling of Ocean Currents &
Deltares GTSM (Delft3D FM) + NRL’s HYCOM
Deltares’ 3D DCSM (Delft3D FM)

3. How current forecasts fit in TAN’s decision-making
Route optimization
• Currents for a routing optimization software, together with meteo & wave forecasts
and the boat’s specific “propulsion matrix”
• Often, final decisions are based on other, tactical factors…
Current forecasts

4. What kind of info?
Surface current
magnitude (m/s)
Detailed ‘maps’, every hour, for the ‘next 7 days’

5. Approach: Combining output from three models
Forecasts from
Operational 3D DCSM-FM
(Delft3D FM)
Horiz. Resolution:
1nm to 4 nm
Surface currents
Contains
• Tide
• Wind
• Density
Recommend to use currents
only over-shelf
Combine forecasts from
Operational NRL’s
HYCOM
Horiz. Resolution:
1/12° (~9km)
“Surface” currents
Contains
• Tide
• Wind
• Density
Global ocean
circulation (& surge)
Pre-computed
GTM
(Delft3D FM)
Horiz. Resolution:
2.5 to 25 km
2DH currents
Contains
• Tide
• Wind
• Density
Astron. tide
3-day
forecasts
7-day
forecasts
Globally North Sea solution

6. Global & Local
Covers the entire North Sea and more.
Producing best *surface* currents, directly.
Legs 9, 10, 11.
Combination of global HYCOM and our
Global Tide and Surge Model (GTSM).
Legs 1-9.
Globally - GTSM Local North Sea solution – DCSM (Delft3D FM)

7. Into perspective
Rare case of open-source software with
community global model.
Including ocean circulation + wind effect + tide
in one single product.
Real-time forecasts already online at
http://www.globalfloodforecast.com/
Transparent development and several
publications & conference presentations
Can be flexible and made portable, adjusted
for e.g. routing optimization software.
Alicante, ES

8. Development: Several early “pilots”
FIRST:
Lisbon to Scheveningen trip for boat’s christening (non competitive).
Starting June 12th, sailing for several days.
GRIB exports were a challenge and a new development for our software.
SECOND:
VOR “Leg Zero”
Starting August 1st, 2017
AkzoNobel was 4th overall

9. Feedback from the team
(photos from June & October, 2017)
Experiencing how TAN
works, their needs &
expectations

10. Each leg: multiple ‘tiles’
Leg 2
Leg 3
Spacing of
• 0.025 ° x 0.025°,
• 0.050 ° x 0.050°
Leg 7
Antarctic Ice Exclusion Zone

11. http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/news/10708_
East-or-west-make-your-choice.html
Jan. 4th, 13h
Jan. 3th, 13h
Brisbane
19 kts
18 kts
Routing decisions… under pressure!
1 m/s (2 kts) extra
=> +10% speed
Sydney

12. With hindsight …
Leg 4, departing Sydney

13. With hindsight …
Leg 9, departing Newport

14. Jan. 3th, 13h
Routing decisions… under pressure!
AkzoNobel reaches new VOR
24-hour speed record, during Leg 9
(1116km)

15. Final thoughts
This was not a normal project for Deltares…
Operational forecasting system covering the entire globe, with an area-of-interest
which was moving every day!
Information provided enabled the TAN navigators to use favourable currents &
avoid ‘negative’ currents, enhancing speed & gaining a competitive advantage.
Working 24/7, under pressure, on the spotlight!
Same tool / principles could help
• reducing emissions from cargo ships,
• ‘compress’ the timeline of environmental studies,
• allow contractors to react faster to tenders,
• …