GL’s Scandinavian Committee: Future Potential of Energy Effiency in Maritime Transport

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

17 May 2008

In an industry characterised by increasingly keen competition, the key issues are designing, building and operating ships efficiently. An efficient ship is profitable and environmentally compatible. The 6th Scandinavian Committee Meeting of Germanischer Lloyd in Copenhagen focused on how to improve ship efficiency. With regards to cost efficiency, compliance with stricter environmental standards and technical safety for the maritime industry worldwide, GL engages in the research and development of ship efficiency. “There exist many possibilities to improve ship efficiency, GL helps to identify the best”, said Torsten Schramm, Chief Operating Officer Region Europe / Middle East / Africa.
“The reduction of fuel usage is increasing in importance and fuel costs dominate ship operation. The GL approach to reduce fuel costs is the CO2 index which is a tool to determine the fuel consumption. The measured CO2 index can be compared with other indices within a given fleet”, added Schramm.
This function in particular is expected to trigger a learning effect as differences in fuel consumption will be made explicit and more transparent with the data associated to each vessel and voyage segment. With certified CO2-index values becoming public, the transport industry can actively further minimize emissions. Ships with a low index will transport more cargo and improve their index even further.
GL has launched a prototype CO2-index for shipping, based on MEPC/Circ.471. The innovative index is available for all GL classed ships. Each ship owner and management company can check the complete survey status of their GL classed fleet. The CO2 emission will be measured on the basis of installed power, consumed fuel and transported cargo. Computed index values can be compared to other ships’ indices and eventually be used to minimise emissions from transport.
“Reducing CO2 emissions from ships has a high environmental priority for the shipping industry. The implementation of project development together with our clients starts at an early stage”, said Rainer Gutzmer, chairman of the Scandinavian Committee and GL Area Manager Scandinavia.

Source: Germanischer Lloyd