General Product Questions

Q1: What exactly is Wayfinder Voyage Simulator?

1. Is it a standalone product or part of the Wayfinder platform?
   • Wayfinder Voyage Simulator is a powerful tool within the Wayfinder platform. It's designed specifically for voyage planning and evaluation, complementing the core Wayfinder voyage execution capabilities. While integrated into the platform, it operates as a distinct module focused on pre-voyage decision making.
2. Do I need to be a Wayfinder customer to use Voyage Simulator?
   1. Yes. Voyage Simulator requires a vessel performance model (VPM) specific to each customer vessel, which is created and maintained on the Wayfinder platform. Access to Wayfinder is therefore necessary to use the Simulator.

Q2: Who is Voyage Simulator designed for?

1. Can small operators with 1-2 vessels benefit, or is this only for large fleets?
   • Absolutely. Small operators often benefit even more because they don't have dedicated planning teams. Whether you have one vessel or fifty, if you're making voyage decisions, evaluating fixtures, or comparing routing options, Voyage Simulator saves time and improves decision quality. The system works immediately without complex setup, making it ideal for smaller operations.
2. Is this primarily for vessel operators, charterers, or both? What about captains?
   • It’s currently designed for shoreside teams, not captains:
     • Vessel Operators: For generating quick voyage estimates and evaluating opportunities
     • Charterers: For comparing vessel options and understanding true voyage economics
     • Performance Teams: For optimizing fleet deployment and breaking down silos between commercial and operations
     • Commercial Teams: For real-time analysis during negotiations

Wayfinder Platform Clarification

Q3: How does Voyage Simulator relate to core Wayfinder?

1. When do I use Voyage Simulator vs. core Wayfinder?
   • Voyage Simulator: Pre-voyage planning and commercial decisions. Use it when evaluating fixtures, comparing vessels, assessing weather impact, or planning multi-leg sequences.
   • Core Wayfinder: Voyage execution and optimization. Once a voyage is underway, core Wayfinder helps captains and shore teams optimize performance in real-time.
   • Think of it this way: Simulator helps you decide whether and how to take a voyage; core Wayfinder helps you execute it optimally.
2. If I'm already using Wayfinder for voyage execution, why do I need Voyage Simulator?
   • While core Wayfinder excels at optimizing voyages in progress, Voyage Simulator transforms your pre-voyage decision making. It enables you to evaluate opportunities faster, compare multiple scenarios instantly, and make better commercial decisions before committing to a voyage. Many customers find the combination powerful—better planning leads to better execution.
3. Does the voyage plan from Simulator automatically transfer / promote to Wayfinder for execution?
   • No, the tool is currently designed as a testing and planning environment only. It allows you to explore different scenarios without affecting actual voyage operations.

Q4: What's the workflow between planning and execution?

1. Once I create a plan in Voyage Simulator, how does it get to the vessel/captain?
   1. The initial route geometry is validated as sailable through Chartworld. However, all customers should use their onboard ECDIS to do final validation before activating a route. To implement a route from Voyage Simulator, reach out to your vessel's second mate with your specifications.
2. Can captains access Voyage Simulator directly, or just the core Wayfinder platform?
   1. All Wayfinder users can access the Voyage Simulator. However, the tool is currently designed for operator use, and focuses on voyage-level comparisons and economics. Future updates will include specific tools for the fine-grained controls masters and onboard crew need.

Features & Technical Capabilities