Yara Marine Technologies, which develops emissions reduction technologies in the maritime industry, will deploy its automated propulsion optimization system FuelOpt on 300 vessels. The goal is to minimize fuel costs and reduce emissions in line with recent regulatory requirements while improving operational performance by controlling key parameters such as speed, consumption and power, says the company in a press release.
FuelOpt is the link between vessel control and propulsion machinery. Once the crew enters the desired setpoints and activates the system, FuelOpt dynamically controls the propulsion output, ensuring that power is always optimized based on defined settings and changing environmental conditions. Achieving steady and predictable shaft power removes costly variations in speed and power caused by human operational factors and delivers real-time fuel savings and emissions reductions.
Stolt Tankers, Teekay, Ardmore, Golden Ocean, and Algoma, amongst others, have already implemented the intelligent software.
Regulatory requirements
In order to reduce emissions, recent regulatory requirements have been set out by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). These include the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and the Energy Efficiency Design Index for Existing Ships (EEXI). CII aims to improve energy efficiency by measuring carbon dioxide emissions per transport work, while EEXI measures energy efficiency in terms of total mass of fuel oil consumed per distance travelled. By meeting these requirements, FuelOpt helps shipowners achieve their green shipping goals.