Across all industries, there is increasing pressure and a concentrated focus on emission control, improvement of efficiency and reduction of operating costs.
Greenhouse gases and global warming are the buzzwords that are amplifying the social awareness to reduce emissions. It maybe recalled that not so long ago - a rather famous person said "he didn’t inhale". It has now almost come to a point where we are telling our ships "don’t exhale", but then all ships have to breathe out.
There are many broad-based initiatives within the shipping fraternity but what it really comes down to is that energy conservation starts with each of our own individual actions, or non-actions.
Most of our office colleagues worldwide have partial control on energy expenditure being bound by structural constraints and local regulations. However, the use of available energy resources on board our ships is almost entirely within the control of our seafaring colleagues.
Across the fleet, as a sustainable goal, we should work together to save 250 litres of bunkers per day per ship – this is little more than one drum. With the efforts of our sailors and support from our shore-based staff, this should certainly be achievable.
Thome has set out to review and explore the various operational measures that can be implemented on board ship without the installation of any equipment, or additional software. It must also be appreciated that reduction of waste also contributes to such savings.
Operational matters that can be undertaken today:
· As far as practical, have only one auxiliary engine in operation.
· Optimise machinery usage as much as possible without compromising safety.
· Deck hydraulic power - power packs to be kept in operation only when required.
· Deck air to be supplied only as and when required.
· If a long port stay is anticipated, consider changing over to MGO/MDO operation; shut down the main engine plant and auxiliaries. Boilers to be on banked fire. This will reduce power requirements and therefore consumption
· Accommodation temperature to be set to between 22-24 deg C.
· Lighting in common areas to be turned off, or minimised when not in use.
· Crew to be encouraged to turn off lights in cabins when not in use.
· Galley hot plates to be turned on only when required.
· Limit size of microwave units supplied to the vessel to 25 litres.
· Pantry hot water dispensers to be turned on only during meal times.
· Optimise usage of laundry machines and driers.
These are just a few of the initiatives that have been identified - there are many more.
In the larger perspective, each measure implemented contributes to the energy available for the future.
*This article was originally printed in ‘Thome Group News’ and was written by Sandy Kumaran, senior manager, fleet services at the Thome Group.