Volker Bertram - FutureShip, Hamburg/Germany; volker

The paper outlines how ships and shipping need to evolve to meet market and legislative pressures from rising fuelprices and stricter emission regulations. Speed reduction, particularly design for lower speeds, is a highly effective option.But even for given speed, there are many technical and operational options to increase fuel efficiency. Moderncomputer application helps to unlock previously unused potential for saving, as illustrated in several examples. Formaloptimisation of lines is an attractive option in design; formal optimisation of trim for least fuel consumption is the correspondingfleet-in-service option. Refits with propulsion-improving devices may improve fuel efficiency, but not in allcases. Here, modern simulation technology allows a detailed assessment before investment decisions are taken. Abatementtechnologies are only effective for SOx, NOx, and particulate matter. Alterative fuels, in particular gas, are seen asan important factor in meeting goals for emission reductions in shipping. A concept study for a hydrogen poweredopen-top container ship shows that zero-emission shipping is technically feasible with today’s technologies.

efficiency, emissions, fuel, gas, optimization