Athens: “Many shipowners can reduce their fuel cost by 10 per cent. Emissions to air can then be reduced correspondingly and the shipowner’s bottom line will be improved – both achieved by a systematic focus on fuel efficiency,” says Tor E. Svensen, Chief Operating Officer of DNV.
Through studies, testing and a systematic approach, DNV and Norwegian shipowner Stolt-Nielsen have initiated these results – a win-win situation for both the shipowner and the environment. A 10 per cent saving on fuel will reduce the shipowner’s costs and increase its bottom-line figures.
For example, a 10 per cent reduction in NOX emission of one single VLCC will reduce the ship’s NOX emissions by 400 tonnes a year – the same amount as that emitted by 10,000 cars.
Approximately 2/3 of the world’s cargo is transported by ship. In the years to come, stricter environmental regulations will affect the shipping industry. Last month, new Baltic Sea regulations restricted the amount of sulphur in fuel to a maximum of 1.5%. The same regime will be introduced for other seas, and a new revision of Marpol is expected to come in 2007. More is expected to follow.
These regulations will increase the shipping industry’s focus on reducing emissions. The shipowner’s motivation may be strengthened by the fact that it can also reduce its fuel costs.
Tor E. Svensen says: “By establishing a fuel energy management strategy that includes all the elements - from how to run the vessel, its bunkering plan, the efficient speed, the route chosen and a structured approach to all fuel-saving elements - many shipowners can reduce their total fuel cost by 10 per cent.”
“By coordinating our efforts throughout the organization, we can reduce our fleet costs by the equivalent of the price of one new vessel every fifth or sixth year,” says Jens Lassen, the Managing Director of Stolt-Nielsen.
DNV has for years proved that fuel quality is an important element in reducing costs and ensuring safe voyages. By extending the focus to all the elements relevant to fuel savings and having a systematic approach to these, further reductions are achievable – a win-win situation for both the environment and the bottom line.