The development combines a high-resolution forecasting model with a global dataset of meteorological, oceanographic and voyage data, including vessel routing, speed and fuel consumption, as well as performance insights, enabling shipping companies to integrate environmental and operational insights directly into their systems.

The updated model reduces wave height prediction error by approximately 23% compared to conventional methods, based on analysis of forecast performance up to seven days ahead. This enables earlier identification of developing weather systems and more reliable voyage planning, while improving detection of rapidly intensifying events including severe low-pressure systems and tropical cyclones. Weathernews has also confirmed that its wave height predictions outperform those of major global forecasting centres, including ECMWF and NCEP.

The launch comes as operators face a more complex and less predictable operating environment shaped by fuel cost pressure, environmental regulation, geopolitical disruption and increasingly variable weather patterns. The challenge is no longer only forecasting individual events, but understanding how conditions vary, how severe they are relative to historical benchmarks, and what that means for vessel performance, safety, routing and commercial outcomes.

To address this, Weathernews has expanded access to its dataset, including global wave and wind forecasts, ocean currents, sea surface temperature, sea ice information and voyage data. Covering oceans worldwide and approximately 2,300 ports, it enables data-driven operational management, improved reporting transparency and more detailed performance analysis.

Recent conditions in the North Atlantic, particularly across the Channel and Bay of Biscay, illustrate the scale of this challenge. Weathernews analysis indicates that the most recent winter period was comparable to the severe conditions of 2013-2014, with persistent low-pressure systems creating a sustained bottleneck for vessel movements across key routes. This highlights the need not only for more accurate forecasting, but for better ways to measure and contextualise severity over time.

The forecasting system combines global numerical weather prediction models with satellite observations, ocean and vessel-derived data, applying ensemble techniques that analyse more than 80 scenarios to identify the most reliable outcome. Operating at a spatial resolution of 0.125 degrees (approximately 10-15 km depending on location) and updated 6-hourly or daily depending on the dataset, it provides detailed insight into ocean conditions across global shipping routes, with forecast coverage extending up to 15 days ahead.

Weathernews is also developing the Accumulated Wave Energy Index (AWE Index), building on its forecasting and data capabilities to quantify the intensity and persistence of wave conditions over time and enable direct comparison between events, periods and regions. Used alongside enhanced forecasting, this provides both earlier warning of disruption and stronger historical context for assessing severity.