Environment at sea
NORDEN and the environment at sea
NORDEN operates one of the world’s most modern fleets of dry cargo vessels and tanker vessels. With this fleet, NORDEN is already off to a great start with respect to energy efficiency and low emissions, but NORDEN has also decided to invest in a number of activities with the purpose of lowering emissions from the Company’s owned fleet even more.
The programme consists of a series of initiatives to save energy and improve combustion efficiency in combination with new maintenance and monitoring procedures and funding of external research and development activities in both areas. Even though ocean-going transport is the most efficient means of transportation in environmental terms – with significantly lower CO2 impact and lower scores in other emission areas per transported ton of cargo than transportation by train or lorry – NORDEN see it as its obligation to adopt initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions and other emissions to the lowest possible level and thus contribute to a better environment.
In recent years, NORDEN has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions. From late 2007/Early 2008 NORDEN “raised the bar” with the introduction of a range of new activities supported by funding of various external research activities.
NORDEN has already sponsored research, e.g. in developing more efficient ship propellers under the EU-cosponsored CAPRICCIO project, which resulted in the design of a highly advanced propeller type enabling fuel savings of more than 2%. NORDEN’s future sponsoring will target research and development in both propulsion resistance and combustion optimisation. These are the two main areas that affect the efficiency of a ship’s use of energy and thus its emissions.
Focus on propulsion resistance and combustion optimisation
Factors affecting propulsion resistance are hull shape, speed, draft, smoothness of the underwater hull and propeller as well as a series of external conditions such as wind, sea state, depth of sea, etc. Some measures to lower propulsion resistance are performance monitoring, advanced anti-fouling coatings, full blasting of the underwater hull and frequent propeller polishing.
Factors that contribute to combustion optimisation are correct injection timing, sufficient compression pressure, low scavenge air temperatures and an ideal spray from the fuel nozzles. Some ways to optimise combustion are performance management, using slide valves, and frequent overhauls of the scavenge air cooler, fuel oil pumps and injectors.
NORDEN has decided to act in all these areas – as a matter of policy. As the technologies mature, NORDEN will evaluate when and where more can be done. There will be a lot of costs related to these initiatives, but also economical benefits such as higher residual value for our ships, lube oil savings, less off-hire, and fuel savings. Last but not least, environment and safety have always been an integral part of NORDEN’s way of doing business, and these new initiatives will take NORDEN a big step further. Our responsibility as a corporate citizen is one we take very seriously.
Emissions from NORDEN’s owned fleet
The predominant share of NORDEN’s owned tonnage is Handymax bulkcarriers and Handysize product tankers.
At service speeds, these vessels produce four different categories of emissions (in grams per tonne-kilometre):
|
CO2 |
3 |
|
NOX |
0.08 |
|
SOX |
0.05 |
|
Particulate Matter |
0.004 |
|
Source: Lloyds Marine Exhaust Emissions Programme |
|
Maritime transport is an environmentally efficient form of transport
As a result of globalisation, the length and breadth of the world is interconnected and goods are transported around the globe. Shipping accounts for almost 90% of all transport. Today, about one ton of goods per human being in the world a year is transported by sea. Naturally, this enormous transport load also means a significant overall fuel consumption, resulting in significant CO2 emissions to the detriment of our climate and the environment. Although shipping is the most environmentally sound means of transport with far lower CO2 emissions, and thus less environmental impact per transported ton of cargo than, for example train, lorry or air transport, it is essential that the industry take measures to reduce emissions.
CO2 emissions from different kinds of transport
|
(Index: Sea transport=100) |
|
|
Ship |
100 |
|
Train |
140 |
|
Lorry |
800 |
|
Source: Intertanko (2007) |
|
Reducing CO2 emissions
It is NORDEN’s ambition to reduce CO2 emissions from owned vessels by 2% in 2008. The best way of reducing CO2 is by using less fuel. The Company has launched a number of initiatives to improve the environment by minimising propulsion resistance and optimising fuel efficiency. Most parts of the Company’s 14-points plan were initiated in 2007, and the rest will be so in 2008.
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