Published on August 9th 2024
The world has become more environmentally conscious. On the road, we have electric vehicles to reduce the use of petrol vehicles. However, what about ships and onshore projects?
Marine companies are adopting several green shipping practices and technologies that will help the marine environment thrive and grow! These practices are mainly to make sure that fuels used by ships don’t contaminate the ocean, which is home to many endangered species.
These are some key practices in eco-friendly shipping:
Energy Efficiency:Also under this list are emission control techniques and waste management systems, both of which ensure that the water is safe from toxic chemicals or waste left behind by the vessels.
Maritime technology has become advanced; vessels use several new technological systems to ensure that they are following eco-friendly shipping rules.
Some such advancements include:
Hybrid and electric propulsion systems:This type of maritime technology uses electricity-based propulsion, which reduces the need for fuel and emissions.
Air lubrication systems:Creating a layer of air bubbles along the hull reduces friction and improves fuel efficiency.
Digitalisation and smart shipping:This technology analyses the best routes to enhance speed and uses AI to improve the ship’s operation and safety. It also remotely monitors the vessels to ensure compliance.
Wind Assisted propulsion:Using the power of wind through rotors, sails, kites and wind turbines to supplement traditional propulsion and reduce fuel use.
Port and Infrastructure Improvements:Reducing emissions and enhancing sustainability at ports by using electric cranes and automated systems.
However, while it has evolved, some maritime technology challenges still exist:
Regulatory compliance: Navigating and complying with the different national and international regulations has led to increased costs.
High initial costs: Significant high capital that is needed to develop new technologies for green shipping. This has led to shipowners being hesitant to adopt new technology into their equipment.
Technology Integration: Integrating the new technology into existing ship systems has posed a challenge, leading to compatibility issues and disruptions to operations during the integration process.
Infrastructure and port readiness: Developing ports to support new technologies and LNG fuel tanks has proven to be a significant obstacle in companies adopting eco-friendly shipping.
Environmental and Climate challenges: With the climate changing constantly and unpredictably, adapting maritime operations to suit them is challenging, hence leading to stricter environmental regulations that require continuous innovation and adaptation, which in turn leads to more costs and complexities.
Market acceptance and adoption: New technologies don’t gain as much acceptance or adoption in the maritime industry, which has led to resistance to change and uncertainty about the new maritime technology’s benefits.
The Institute of Marine Engineers, a body that represents all marine engineers in India, is responsible for helping overcome these challenges and come up with innovative ways to develop the Maritime industry.
This institute was a branch of the Institute of Marine Engineers London and was registered as a national society in 1977 under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
The institute’s major objectives include promoting the scientific development of Marine engineering, giving the engineers a platform to exchange ideas that could lead to a rise of new technologies in the industry and helping promote eco-friendly shipping ideas that will lead to better adoption of ideas.
Eco-friendly shipping in the maritime industry is very important, as the vessels that work on and underwater are also responsible for making sure that the flora and fauna living there are safe. Hence, it is always encouraged to adopt environment-friendly shipping practices.