Dubai: Maritime classification society Germanischer Lloyd conducted its first Exchange Forum dealing with shipping emissions and energy efficiency in Dubai. Organised by GL Office Dubai, the Forum highlighted the current status of emission control in respect to Sulphur-oxide emissions (SOx), Nitrogen-oxide emissions (NOx) and Carbon-dioxide emissions (CO2).
A key issue brought up was the necessity of the IMO to obtain an international agreement on further reduction of ship related emissions.
The forum also served as a platform for GL to showcase its operational CO2-index for shipping, which is already available onboard all GL classed ships within the "fleet online" service tool used to check the complete survey status of the fleet. The society has already seen an uptake of its CO2 index, with Costamare Shipping Co and Allseas Marine both announcing that they are to implement the indexing system to their fleets.
The index calculates emissions on the basis of installed power, consumed fuel and transported cargo. Computed index values can then be compared to other ships' indices and eventually be used to minimise emissions from transport.
As per carbon emission factors specified by IMO, the CO2-index is calculated for each voyage and later averaged for a yet to be defined period (such as a year). At the end of the period, a GL surveyor will check the recorded data and eventually issues ?" on behalf of a flag state ?" a certified CO2-index, which is then valid for the next period.
The GL CO2-index tool can be used to record fuel consumption, transported cargo and distance between two consecutive ports not just for one vessel, but across a fleet ?" thereby allowing for comparison between the different vessel types in the fleet. With certified CO2-index values becoming public, the transport industry can actively further minimize emissions. Ships with a low index will transport more cargo and improve their index even further.
Other topics touched upon at the forum included ship efficiency and use of alternative fuels. [11/06/08]
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.
