The commercial Control Towers represent a transformative approach to voyage management by integrating real-time data for aspects such as charting, operations and compliance into a centralised decision-making hub. This article will explore how systems optimise commercial outcomes by providing comprehensive visibility into all voyage activities and their interconnected impact on profitability.
The Power of the Commercial Control Tower (CCT)Â
One of the most powerful benefits of a modern, integrated VOS for commercial voyage management is that it enables the Commercial Control Tower (CCT) concept.
The CCT is fundamental for providing visibility into operations that is essential for making decisions that make commercial sense. The CCT is inspired by the wider supply chain control tower. This is an integrated IT system that gathers real-time data from across all functional areas of the supply chain, aggregates it in a central hub, and enables greater control over processes spread across departments.
Think of it as the nerve centre of voyage operations. While the VOS system brings together the workflows, the CCT consolidates the data and provides a real-time, centralised view of the voyage’s commercial activities through a dashboard. It draws on data from the VMS and VOS’ modules spanning chartering, operations, finance, procurement, and compliance, and presents this information in an interface designed to support commercial oversight and decision making.
How a CCT can turn a good bunkering decision into a great one
When it comes to bunkering, the decision is about more than where to get fuel. It involves which fuel to choose, at what price, how much to lift, and when to do it. Optimising these decisions is crucial, as bunkering is one of the largest expenses of a voyage’s total costs, often accounting for 50-75% for a container ship. This is even more critical for tramp vessels operating under voyage charters, where owners must constantly balance the trade-offs between local fuel prices, deviations from the shortest route, and the time spent at potential bunkering ports.
Bunkering decisions have a direct impact on a voyage’s P&L, and it is important for a system to assess and provide real-time updates that can positively influence the financial health of the voyage. A CCT becomes an essential part of an integrated VOS in this context. It goes beyond simply finding the cheapest bunker price. It provides the operational, commercial, and compliance data needed to make smarter decisions that maximise the overall commercial success of a voyage.
The CCT connects bunkering decisions directly to voyage profitability forecasts. It allows managers to see the broader impact of their choices, not just in terms of bunker price, but in how those decisions affect the overall voyage margin, emissions compliance, and commercial risk.
CCT, bunkering, and regulation
The EU ETS introduces a direct carbon cost through the need to purchase emissions allowances, while CII and FuelEU impose operational performance requirements that influence fuel choices, routing, and voyage execution strategies.
Operators now must factor in carbon costs and compliance exposure alongside traditional fuel price and logistics considerations. Bunkering is no longer just about the dollar per tonne. Fuel decisions now impact voyage earnings, contractual obligations, and compliance standings. Routing decisions may need adjustment to minimise time spent in EU-regulated zones, or to select alternative ports that reduce EU ETS exposure.
By enabling operators to see the commercial, operational, and regulatory impact of each bunkering decision in real time, a CCT shifts compliance management from reactive to proactive and ensures better overall voyage performance.
By connecting bunkering decisions to voyage profitability, emissions compliance, and regulatory requirements like EU ETS and CII, the CCT transforms fuel procurement from a simple cost-driven activity into strategic commercial optimisation. This ensures maximum voyage performance while proactively managing compliance in today’s increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Altexsoft (Apr, 2023) Supply chain control tower: enhancing visibility and resilienceÂ
IBM (Jul, 2021) What is a supply chain control tower?
Teqplay (accessed Apr, 2025) Control tower for the maritime supply chainÂ
Medina, J R et al., (Oct, 2020) Bunker consumption of containerships considering sailing speed and wind conditionsÂ
Fuentes, G et al., (Jun, 2024) The effects of waiting times on the bunkering decision for tramp shipsÂ
ClearVoyage (Oct, 2024) Understanding voyage P&L
For further insight into the areas highlighted in this article, download our thought leadership report, Orchestrating Efficiency, created in partnership with GeoServe
