Ship Design // Operations

Optimisation of Ballast and Trim

FUEL SAVINGS

4%

UP TO

Ballast, cargo and bunker distribution and the relationship between these are fundamental to giving the modern ship its optimal position in the water a crucial consideration in optimising fuel efficiency.

Ship Design // Technology

Optimisation of Propeller/Hull Interface

FUEL SAVINGS

4%

UP TO

Ship Design // Technology

Lightweight Construction
A reduction in the ships weight can lead to a reduction in the propulsive energy required, and hence can lead to fuel savings.

FUEL SAVINGS

4%

UP TO

1
15%
FUEL SAVINGS Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide UP TO

Ship Design // Technology

Air Lubrication
The frictional resistance of the hull can be quite significantly reduced by the introduction of a thin layer of air pumped between hull and water. There are two main variants of this idea.

Ship Design // Technology

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

LNG has received substantial attention and class society DNV has predicted that it will be used as the marine fuel of the future once ubiquitous lower sulphur regulations take hold (2020 or 2025).

20%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Ship Design // Technology

Aerodynamics of Superstructure

FUEL SAVINGS

4%

UP TO

The aerodynamic resistance of the hull (above water) and superstructure account for approximately 58% of the total drag on a ship. For newbuilds, a number of design consultancies offer modelling of air resistance as an aid to optimising the ships design but none specify possible fuel savings.

Propulsion // Operations

Propulsion efficiency monitoring with condition-based maintenance

FUEL SAVINGS

5%

UP TO

2
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Systems are also available which monitor performance parameters of the propulsion system as a whole, and allow operators to maintain high efficiency through optimal maintenance.

Propulsion // Upgrades/Retro-fit

Propeller-Rudder Combinations

FUEL SAVINGS

6%

UP TO

Advanced rudder designs (for instance with a rudder bulb) co-ordinated with the design of the propeller and designed to reduce drag from the rudder.

Propulsion // Upgrades/Retro-fit

Winglets

FUEL SAVINGS

3%

UP TO

Advanced rudder designs (for instance with a rudder bulb) co-ordinated with Winglets at the tips of the propeller blades (similar to those on an airplane wing) can improve propulsive efficiency by reducing propeller losses associated with the formation of a vortex at the blades tip.

Propulsion // Upgrades/Retro-fit

Propeller Ducts
A ducted propeller is one fitted with a non-rotating nozzle. The technology was developed in the 1930s and has been used ever since.

FUEL SAVINGS

6%

UP TO

3
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Propulsion // Upgrades/Retro-fit

Propeller Boss Cap Fin

FUEL SAVINGS

3%

UP TO

A standard propeller generates a vortex at the centre of its wake. By adding fins to the propeller boss cap, some of this rotational energy can be recaptured and used for propulsion work.

Propulsion // Upgrades/Retro-fit

Pulling Thrusters

10%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

In a wing configuration, the steering propellers are oriented towards the direction of travel, reducing fuel consumption when the vessel is frequently operated at variable loads.

Propulsion // Upgrades/Retro-fit

Flettner Rotors

30%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Flettner rotors are small cylinders that work on a similar principle to airplane wings. As the wind blows past the rotating cylinder, a high and low pressure differential forms creating a thrust perpendicular to the winds direction.

Propulsion // Upgrades/Retro-fit

Batteries and Fuel Cells

Where power is provided from a fuel cell or battery the energy conversion from fuel to power is via an electrochemical process, as opposed to the traditional internal combustion process where hydrocarbon fuel is burnt. This option provides clean, quiet and highly efficient power. Advantages include zero emissions, high reliability and flexibility.

4
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Machinery // Technology

Main Engine Adjustments

FUEL SAVINGS

1%

UP TO

Common Rail An electronically-controlled fuel injection system across all cylinders allows for more responsive fuel injection, greater atomisation of fuel leading to more complete combustion, and optimised fuel consumption over a wider range of part loads.

Machinery // Technology

Combined Diesel/Electric & Diesel/ Mechanical Drive (CODED)

20%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Ships with variable operating conditions can be supplied with both dieselmechanical and diesel-electric propulsion systems. The two systems can then be used in different combinations at different loads, to capture best of both: the efficiency of electric drive at a range of part loads and the reduced transmission losses of mechanical drives at high/full loads.

Machinery // Technology

Main Engine Tuning

FUEL SAVINGS

3%

UP TO

5
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

The load profile required of the engine is mapped, and it is then optimised for performance at this load by tuning injection timings and pressures. There may be a penalty on performance outside of the specified load.

Machinery // Technology

Advanced Power Management

10%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Low loss power distribution (newbuild) Reducing the number of transformers, or using other technology to regulate the power supply between generators and motors, can reduce the power losses in dieselelectric systems and also saves weight and space.

Machinery // Technology

Speed Control of Pumps & Fans

FUEL SAVINGS

1%

UP TO

Variable speed pumps allow for the circulation of the correct amount of water to be circulated to the engines, which will have different cooling requirements at different loads and in different conditions. Conventional pumps always circulate a fixed amount of water that is required by the engines at full load, often expending unnecessary energy.

Machinery // Technology

Enhanced Power Management

Fuel can be saved by monitoring and managing on-board power generation to ensure the correct number of generators are running, and at correct loads, to meet power demand at any given time.

6
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Machinery // Technology

Waste Heat Recovery (WHR)

10%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

The heat of the engine exhaust can be captured and converted into electrical power for on-board applications, mechanical power (e.g. shaft of a steam turbine, or used directly for heating, reducing the demand on auxiliary power generators.

Machinery // Technology

Reducing Onboard Power Demand

FUEL SAVINGS

1%

UP TO

The use of energy-efficient appliances on board reduces generating needs, leading to fuel savings. Low-energy lighting (LEDs) can reduce the overall power consumption of a cruise ship or ferry by around 1%. Thermal appliances (e.g. boilers) should also be optimised for efficiency.

Machinery // Technology

Solar Power

45%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

7
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Solar cells on deck can reduce fuel consumption for providing on-board power. At least one company also utilises solar power installed on fixed wing sails for propulsion (currently on small ferries but with plans to apply the technology to larger vessels).

Strategies // Operational

Optimum Berthin/Virtual Arrival

Where it is known that the destination port is suffering congestion, this information can be relayed to the ship, which then sails slower, rather than proceeding at normal speed and waiting at anchor until a berth becomes available. This practice requires a change to the usual terms of spot charters, but has been successfully pioneered in the Virtual Arrival initiative of the oil tanker industry. It is expected that it will soon be possible to negotiate a standard charter clause to allow for this practice.

Strategies // Operational

Weather Routing

10%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Software is available that combines logistical planning with weather data to ensure that the ship sails the safest and most efficient route given the weather it is likely to encounter. Many operators already employ this type of technology, therefore where companies offer fuel savings claims they should be interpreted with care, as it is not always clear what baseline is being used to determine the saving.

8
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Strategies // Operational

Energy Awareness

10%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Training crew in best energy-saving practices, both in navigation and use of on-board services, can reduce energy demand on the ship. The concept can be extended further for integrated maritime transport companies, described by ITF (2009) as: creating a company-wide internal set of incentives for fuel-efficient operations can ensure that fuel efficiency considerations are integrated into daily vessel operations.

Strategies // Operational

Autopilot Upgrade/Adjustment
Programming the autopilot to minimise the number of rudder adjustments saves fuel.

FUEL SAVINGS

4%

UP TO

Strategies // Technological

Hull Surface Coating

FUEL SAVINGS

5%

UP TO

Hull coating technology is moving fast, and the latest coatings have shown potential for considerable eco-efficiency savings over the past few years. A coating upgrade offers a quick and simple improvement for both newbuilds and retrofits.

Strategies // Technological

Hull Cleaning

10%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Software packages are available that monitor hull (and often propeller) condition and recommends optimum time for scrubbing. They achieve this by monitoring the shaft power required at a reference speed and alerting the operator when this increases beyond a certain threshold.

9
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Strategies // Technological

Fuel Additives
Preparations added to bunker fuel to reduce soot build up can also reduce fuel consumption. Some products are specifically geared to reducing fuel consumption.

FUEL SAVINGS

2%

UP TO

Strategies // Technological

Engine Lubricants
Lubricants promote efficient engine performance and so reduce fuel consumption. While all engines require lubricant, certain companies supply lubricants, or lubricant additives with a specific innovation focused on reducing fuel consumption.

Strategies // Technological

Water Emulsion Fuel

FUEL SAVINGS

5%

UP TO

Mixing water with fuel increases atomisation of fuel and so combustion efficiency, according to some trials. The technique of injecting water not only improves combustion but can also help the ship owner save on emission taxes.

10
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide

Strategies // Technological

Catalysts

12%
FUEL SAVINGS

UP TO

Catalyst injection systems are available that reduce pollutant emissions and save fuel by promoting more complete combustion of fuel.

11
Data supplied via Ship Efficiency : The Guide