The report is based on lessons from Cargill’s port call optimisation pilot. File Image / Pixabay

Cargill’s port call optimisation pilots have demonstrated emissions savings of up to 51 tonnes of CO2 per voyage, according to a new report by the Global Maritime Forum.

The pilots covered 16 voyages across three locations in Brazil and Australia, testing different ways to reduce waiting time by slowing vessels down before reaching port, as per the report released yesterday.

Port call optimisation means adjusting a vessel’s sailing speed, so it arrives when its berth is available, rather than sailing faster and then waiting outside the port.

This reduces fuel burned during the voyage while avoiding unnecessary time at anchor.

At Cargill’s grain terminal in Santarém, Brazil, 10 voyages delivered estimated savings of 222 tonnes of CO2, or about 22 tonnes per voyage. At the Port of Newcastle in Australia, five voyages averaged 51 tonnes of CO2 savings per voyage.

The Newcastle results were helped by favourable currents, which allowed some vessels to drift towards the port rather than continue sailing under engine power. Three voyages recorded savings of 107 tonnes, 97 tonnes and 53 tonnes of CO2, while two had no additional waiting time to absorb.

A third pilot at Albany in Western Australia used the Blue Visby Solution. The vessel slowed from an average 8.6 to 7.4 knots, saving about 10.7 mt of bunkers and 33.4 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to a 9.6% reduction in ballast voyage emissions.

The report said the biggest savings opportunities are likely to be at congested ports and trade lanes where vessels have significant waiting time before berthing.