Today, the shipping industry is extremely concerned about how to reduce the fuel consumption of ships, and carbon emissions. Due to this reason, many technologies have been introduced to achieve sustainable shipping. Areas such as design modification, dual-fuel engines, LNG fuel, and more are being explored for minimising the cost of operation costs, more importantly, to reduce the fuel consumption of ships. So, before you buy a cruise ship for sale, know what technologies can help to gain sustainable shipping by reading this blog.
1. Air Lubrication
The air lubrication system helps to significantly reduce resistance between seawater and the ship’s hull with the help of air bubbles. So, this is also known as the Bubble technology, and it works on the principle of supplying the ship’s aft-side with air to create tiny bubble layers that effectively help to decrease the friction between the seawater and the hull.
2. FOE technology- Fuel Oil Emulsion
FOE or Fuel Oil Emulsion technology includes burning more than any unmodified fuel. Therefore, the total fuel used is less, the emissions are decreased, and engines do not get heated up and run cooler, so require very less amount of maintenance. As a result of this technology, the ship’s fuel need reduces, and the emissions are also decreased drastically. Plus, it helps to save costs as well.
3. Solar and Wind Power
The marine industry views wind energy as one of the most reliable sources of energy. Today, this area is being explored, and technologies and methods are being built to harness the power of wind energy. Ships are being designed to minimise fuel consumption such as Deltamarin has designed a ro-pax vessel that features six- Rotor sails. Another company, namely, Norse power’s has built a new wind propulsion technology that is in the sea trials phase now and is showing that it can save up to 2.6% fuel with the help of a small Rotor sail.
Besides, wind energy, solar energy is another alternative energy that is being explored for its power to reduce fuel consumption on ships.
So, if you are about to buy a cruise ship for sale, then make sure that you are buying a ship that is equipped with the latest propulsion technologies that are built to ensure the ship consumes less fuel.
4. Bulbous Bow Modification
Modifications in the ship’s bulbous bow have helped to minimise the ship’s fuel consumption. Companies such as Maersk and NYK group have successfully reduced fuel consumption by introducing this technique. In fact, the latter made energy-saving adjustments to a containership that resulted in reducing a whopping 23% of CO2 emissions.
5. LLH System- Low Loss Hybrid System
The Low Loss Hybrid (LLH) System is a technology that uses multiple power sources simultaneously with energy storage equipment in order to operate prime movers that are nearest to their optimum performance. One of the most important features of this system is its capability to minimise the engine loads that resulted in high fuel consumption and added emissions. Also, it helps to reduce maintenance, and boosts the system’s performance with the help of a quick energy storage system are also some of the benefits that are offered by this system.
Conclusion
These are some of the technologies that are ensuring that the ships consume less fuel, and emissions by the marine industry can be reduced. Other than these technologies, research is going on in the areas of software tools, anti-fouling paint and low-fuel consuming marine engines and etc. So, at the pace at which the technologies are advancing, it is important that if you are buying a cruise ship for sale now, you should take into consideration buying a technologically-advanced ship. For assistance and suggestions, you can hire an experienced shipbroker.
