The advancement in ship design innovations in fuel efficieny and better eco-friendly ships

Introduction

• The maritime industry has gone under significant changes in ship designs in recent years. With global trade continuing to expand everyday and stricter regulations on ships to be better for the environment. The need for more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly ships is at an all time high. This paper will go into detail how innovative ship designs are improving efficiency and ship safety, while new fuel technologies are helping to reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. Also, how different materials and designs are making a big impact on fuel efficiency. By researching these developments, we can get a better grasp on what the future of the shipping industry and its place in sustainable global trade will look like.

Main Points

1.Advancements in Ship Design

• New Hull Designs- are helping vessels be more fuel efficient while at different speeds

• Use of lightweight materials- allows for more cargo to be on board the vessel without hurting fuel consumption

• Advance Computer systems on modeling and simulations

• Modular designs- allows for old vessels to take on new technologies without complete overhauls

2.Eco-Friendly Innovations

• Biofuels- are a renewable energy source, while keeping the emissions down

• Hydrogen and Ammonia- a fuel source that is gaining attention. Hydrogen and Ammonia are a sustainable source that is allowing for zero emissions propulsion systems

• Liquified Natural gas- Major shipping companies have switched to LNG because it has lowered emissions up to 20%.

3.Hybrid and Electric Propulsion Systems

• Hybrid propulsion systems- are combined with diesel engines and electric engines, this allows for better fuel efficiency and emissions. Really good for low speeds

• Battery Technology Improvements- this is key for helping with the range and longevity of electric vehicles

• Fully Electric Vehicles- are being tested in short-distances shipping routes and ferries at the moment. This would be great if the testing works because this allows for zero emissions

4.Digitalization and Smart Shipping Technologies

• Automation- are allowing for better safety and operational cost because less-human error can occur

• Integration of loT (Internet of Things)- provides real-time monitoring of the fuel consumption and the let alone performance of the vessel. This allows companies to make improvements on their vessels to lead to better cost savings.

•  Data Analytics- can give the optical route and speed to take to reduce fuel consumption. Also, can deal with the weather changes. This can save ships up to 15% of fuel consumption.

5.Regulatory Framework and Industry Standards

• Investment in Research- Increased investments by private companies and governments allows for new discoveries on how to lower emissions and fuel consumption.

• Industry Initiatives- aims to set goals on sustainable shipping practices and reduce emissions. They encourage others to collaborate with each other.

• International Regulations- The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) are pushing the shopping industry to use cleaner fuels and technologies. They do this by posing regulations to follow.

  Rough Draft:

  The maritime industry has gone under significant changes in ship designs in recent years. With global shipping continuing to expand everyday, while making stricter regulations on ships to be better for the environment. The Shipping industry accounts for approximately 3% of all CO2 emissions in the world, and has been one of the major leading factors in global warming (International Maritime Organization). This is why the need for more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly ships is at an all time high. This paper will go into detail how innovative ship designs are improving efficiency and ship safety, while new fuel technologies are helping to reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. Also, how different materials and designs are making a big impact on fuel efficiency. By researching these developments, we can get a better grasp on what the future of the shipping industry and its place in sustainable global trade will look like.

  Innovations in ship designs have made the ships of today more fuel efficient and friendly to the environment. One of the biggest accomplishments has to be the newly found hull designs. The bulbous bows and air-lubrication systems have helped with minimizing the total drag of the vessel and improving the vessel’s hydrodynamic efficiency. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), “Hull modifications, such as the addition of bulbous bows or the integration of air lubrication systems, can reduce drag by up to 10%, resulting in significant fuel savings” (IMO). With these hull improvements ships have been able to maneuver at different speeds, while reducing the amount of fuel consumption and the overall pollution of the vessel. The bulbous bow allows the vessel to move through the water more smoothly. It is able to make the vessel move more smoothly by reducing the wave making resistance. 

  In addition to the ship’s new hull design causing better fuel efficiency, so is the use of lightweight materials. Materials such as composites, high strength alloys and aluminum have been allowing vessels to reduce weight. This allows for vessels to carry more cargo without having to consume more additional fuel. According to DNV GL: “Lightweight materials reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% because weight makes the engine more compact and less energetically burdensome” (DNV GL). Since the materials have decreased the overall weight of the vessel making the vessel have to use less energy for propulsion, it has allowed vessels to save significant amounts of fuel and create less of a carbon footprint. 

  A lot of new shipbuilding relies heavily on high-tech computer modeling and simulation. Simulations bring ship design innovations to the next level by allowing tools like Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computer-Aided design (CAD) to make ship designs innovations like different shaped hulls and other components and then being able to test how the new design will act under various environmental conditions. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME ) states, “The ability to simulate the interactions between water and ship surfaces is a game-changer, enabling faster, more cost-effective design cycles” (SNAME). These engineers get to have free range to test out any ship design they think will help lower fuel consumption, help the pollution to the environment, and ship safety. Vessels have been able to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than ever.

  Another important ship design innovation is the creation of modular ships, which are retrofitted with new technologies. Instead of complete overhaul of older vessels, modular designs allow for older vessels to get upgrades at a cheaper cost. These upgrades can range from anywhere from new effective propulsion engines to new energy-efficient equipment and emissions-reducing technology. This approach allows for older vessels not to get a complete overhaul, while being able to comply with the current environmental regulations.

  Eco-Friendly innovations in fuel are helping make the shipping industry carbon footprint reduce dramatically. Traditional marine fuels are high in the output of carbon. Alternative fuels like biofuels, hydrogen, and ammonia are being experimented to take over for the new marine fuel of the shipping industry with way less carbon. 

  Biofuels are made from renewable fuels such as vegetable oils, waste and algae. It is becoming a viable alternative fuel source to traditional marine fuels. A study from the European Commission states, “Biofuels have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% to 90% compared to conventional fuels, depending on the feedstock used and the production methods” (European Commission). Even though biofuels are still in the early phase, major shipping companies are still testing the fuel out in their fleet. The shipping company Maersk has started to use biofuel in hopes to reduce their carbon footprint. Biofuel could significantly reduce the amount of pollution to the environment from the shipping industry. 

  Ammonia and hydrogen have also been in the upcoming of zero-emission fuels that could take over the maritime industry. Hydrogen and ammonia can both be used to fuel cells or combustion engines. They would leave nothing but nitrogen or water vapor in the atmosphere. According to Karl-Göran Hammar, Vice President of Wärtsilä, “Hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to eliminate CO2 emissions entirely, making them a key technology in the transition to a sustainable shipping industry” (Wärtsilä). The only issue with hydrogen and ammonia fuels and why it has not been adopted yet in the industry is due to the high production cost and lack of infrastructure.

  Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is an alternative fuel source that has been catching attraction recently. It has already been used by many shipping companies and stated as a cleaner alternative to traditional marine fuels. LNG is producing much lower CO2 emissions and at the same time practically no sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, making it an eco-friendly choice of alternative fuel. “LNG can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20% compared to conventional marine fuels and virtually eliminate sulfur emissions,” says the Clean Shipping Coalition (Clean Shipping Coalition). Many shipping companies like CMA, CGM, and Shell have already transitioned multiple of their fleets to LNG vessels. LNG is a “bridge fuel” until fuels like biofuels, hydrogen, and ammonia are viable for use.

  Another major innovation is hybrid and electric propulsion. It will reduce the carbon footprint in the shipping industry by taking away fossil fuels. Hybrid propulsion systems pair diesel engines with electric motors to make the diesel engine work less causing less emissions and consumption of fuel. The electric motors will maneuver the vessel at lower speed only needed the diesel engine to be used at high speeds. The IMO states, “Hybrid systems allow vessels to run on electricity during low-speed operations, reducing emissions significantly during port maneuvers” (IMO). This is perfect for vessels that operate coastal areas or ferries, which start and stop quite often.

  Before batteries for electric motors is what was holding back hybrid vessels and electric vessels from striving. Now with the advancements of battery technology it is capable of having hybrid vessels and fully electric vessels. Lithium-ion batteries have increased their energy density and reliability dramatically, which allows them to be more capable in vessels. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), “Advances in battery technology are making it increasingly feasible for electric vessels to operate longer distances, with some ferry operators already deploying electric-powered ships on short routes” (IEA). Fully electric vessels could be a significant reducing factor in emissions. Electric vessels are great for short-distance trips, but they lack the ability of long distance capabilities due to the battery constraints in place. They are being tested on short routes so far with excellent results. The company Yara Birkland has started to build the world’s first fully electric cargo vessel. It is expected to be done in 2024. Even though fully electric vessels lack long capabilities, their success with short routes is another major ste[ towards zero-emissions in the maritime industry.

  The digitization of shipping and reduction of fuel use plays an increasingly important role. Automation, IoT sensors and data analytics are changing the way ships are powered, operated and controlled. 

  Safety and efficiency gains are because of automation systems that help cut human error and give ships closer control. These controls check the most important data such as engine, fuel consumption and speed, and respond in real time to increase performance. According to the World Maritime University: “Automation will enable ships to function more effectively by continuously observing and regulating such parameters as speed, fuel consumption and engine loads” (World Maritime University). This technology lowers operating costs, maximizes safety, and reduces the amount of fuel and CO2 emissions. 

  The deployment of IoT sensors aboard ships also has the benefit of saving on fuel. These sensors let you monitor performance data such as engine performance, fuel consumption, and environment status. “IoT-connected sensors deliver real-time feedback to enable operators to tinker with operating parameters that optimize fuel consumption and save up to 15% on fuel costs,” DNV GL states. Shipping lines could benefit from this data collection and interpretation in their decision-making processes, saving fuel and impacting less on the environment. 

  Data analysis is another key to improving shipping efficiency. Looking at historical and actual data, shipping lines can know which routes and speeds are the most fuel efficient based on weather, ocean currents, and gas prices.”More advanced data analytics will assist in fuel savings, by optimizing routes and operational settings and could potentially reduce fuel costs up to 15%,” the IMO says (IMO). They are technologies that can be more smart, more efficient — to the environment and to a business. 

  Ship-scale green technologies can also be driven by the regulatory landscape as well as international standards. IMO (International Maritime Organization) has ambitious targets for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by 40% by 2030 and 50% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels (IMO). These goals are pushing the industry to use cleaner fuels and technologies. 

  Beyond setting emission reduction targets, the IMO has also promulgated legislation such as the Sulphur Cap 2020, which caps the sulfur content of marine fuels at 0.5%, rather than the earlier 3.5%. This ban has pushed the industry to use low-sulfur fuels such as LNG and to invest in technologies that mitigate sulfur emissions. These rules play an important role in enabling the shipping industry to be a part of a sustainable world. 

  The shipping industry is making one big revolutionary shift for better sustainability, fuel efficiency, and eco-friendliness with all the technological advancements they have made. Ship design, alternative fuels, hybrid / electric  propulsion systems, and digital innovations are big contributors to helping out the emissions and capabilities of global shipping. Even though some kinks need to still be fixed, including some more advancements in technology and addressing regulatory regulations, the maritime industry is still moving in the right direction to make ships more environmentally friendly. These investments in research, infrastructure, and cross-border cooperation must be maintained, so that achieving the IMO’s high sustainability objectives is achievable. This will ensure us that the future of global trade will be economically and environmentally sustainable

  Works Cited 

  Clean Shipping Coalition. “LNG as a Bridge Fuel.” Clean Shipping Coalition, 2020, www.cleanshipping.org. 

  DNV GL. “Fuel Efficiency and Emission Reduction.” DNV GL, 2021, www.dmv.com. 

  European Commission. “The Potential of Biofuels for Ocean Shipping”.European Commission, 2021, ec.europa.eu. 

  International Energy Agency (IEA). “Battery Technologies and Maritime Transport.” IEA, 2021, www.iea.org. 

  International Maritime Organization (IMO). “Slaving Greenhouse Gases Off Ships”. IMO, 2020, www.imo.org. 

  Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).”Computational Fluid Dynamics in Ship Design”. SNAME, 2020, www.sname.org. 

  Wärtsilä. “Hydrogen-Powered Vessels: A Sustainable Future.” Wärtsilä, 2021, www.wartsila.com. 

  World Maritime University. “The Future of Shipping Automation”. World Maritime University, 2020, www.wmu.se. 

  Yara. “World’s First 100% Electric Cargo Ship Goes to Trials”. Yara, 2021, www.yara.com.