Owners Missing Potential Energy Savings

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday July 14, 2014

Many ship owners could achieve better fuel efficiency by following industry leaders' practices in their use of ship energy efficiency management plans (SEEMPs), DNV-GL's Shipping Advisory division found in a new study.

"High savings potential is still waiting to be unlocked," said team leader Julia Kühnbaum.

"There is a lot to learn from industry best practices."

The study considered the owners and operators of more than 2,000 vessels and found that some have reduced their energy use by 10 percent or more through operational and managerial measures, in addition to slow steaming.

These leaders have sometimes also achieved better charter rates and fleet utilisation.

On the other hand, the majority of owners saved as little as 1 to 3 percent.

SEEMPs became mandatory in the shipping industry last year, but the study suggests many companies use the systems only for compliance rather than to reduce their fuel use.

The largest container shipping company, Maersk Line, said this spring that it has made big strides in fuel savings and emissions reduction by overhauling its network.