Brightoil Warns Ecoships are Not Really Ecoships

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday April 10, 2013

Per Wistoft, CEO of Brightoil Shipping Singapore, on Tuesday issued a warning on the claimed benefits of more fuel-efficient, so-called "ecoships," saying that they could actually end up costing shipowners more in the long run, Asia Shipping Media reports.

"You have to be very careful when you look at so called ecoships," he said.

"Ecoships are not really ecoships, it is a marketing tool by shipyards to sell the ship."

Speaking to delegates at Sea Asia in Singapore, Wistoft said it was like buying a car with a different engine to save fuel.

"One day you're going to have to drive up a hill," said Wistoft.

"It's the same with ships, they will encounter bad weather, you cannot rev up, so the ship will stop - and that's an interesting aspect that oil traders are not aware of yet."

Wistoft also warned that any penalties the shipyards will have to pay for failing to meet their promised fuel savings would be insignificant compared to cost shipowners will face over the lifespan of the ship.