June 4 - Classification society the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released a new paper - the Ship Energy Efficiency Measures Advisory.
The new paper provides advice on the range of options available to improve vessel efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. It urges vessel owners, operators and other stakeholders to meet the challenges of rising fuel costs and an increasing environmental regulatory environment by embracing new ship design concepts and finding ways of optimising existing capacity.
"The potential to achieve greater efficiency is not in doubt, but owners and operators need support in evaluating which options are most suitable for their vessels," explains Howard Fireman, ABS vice president for operational efficiency and environmental performance (OEP).
Guidance on newbuild vessels includes: hull form optimisation and influences of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) energy efficiency design index (EEDI) for newbuild design and efficiency.
For newbuilds and existing tonnage the advisory analyses: devices to improve propulsion efficiency and technologies to reduce hull resistance; ways to find efficiency gains in ship machinery and systems; as well as operational measures to reduce fuel burn - including voyage performance management and hull/propeller condition monitoring.
Fireman added: "The industry is hearing claim and counter-claim on the merits of new ship designs and the potential for savings on existing tonnage. Some of these technologies are proven, while others are completely new. Determining which are applicable can be a major task.
"This advisory explains the merits of the major technologies so owners can judge for themselves which are worthy of further investigation."
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