World News
Irish Shipping Firm Orders Fuel Efficiency Systems
Ardmore Shipping Limited (Ardmore) of Ireland has ordered performance monitoring systems from Germany's SkySails GmbH (Skysails) designed to help the company develop fuel-saving strategies, the product and chemical tanker owner has said an emailed press release.
SkySails, which develops a kite wind propulsion system of the same name, also produces the SkySails Performance Monitor, which integrates real-time information on fuel prices, surrounding conditions, and ship performance for individual ships and fleets, according to its website.
Ardmore's new series of four product and chemical tankers, ordered from SPP Shipbuilding in South Korea, were said to use a variety of fuel-saving technologies including large, extra-efficient propellers, Mewis Duct and propeller boss cap fin devices, high-performance hull coatings, and MAN B&W ME-B and ME-C electronic engines, which the company expects will combine to reduce fuel use by 10 to 15 percent.
The Performance Monitor systems will help improve the operational efficiency of the ships and determine how various factors are contributing to their performance.
"A vessel's fuel consumption heavily depends on a range of factors, including operating conditions such as waves, wind and load, which can change dynamically during sailing," said Stephan Wrage, CEO of SkySails.
"Whether the master and owners are looking for the most profitable speed, the most economical speed or the ETA speed for just-in-time arrival, our Performance Monitor collects the data and provides the real-time analysis that helps them to find the optimal operational settings, such as speed and trim.
Ardmore announced last month that it is chartering the first of the new ships to Cargill Inc., helping that company achieve its goals for fuel-efficiency.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 502.00 | 7.00 | 617.00 | 6.00 |
| Rotterdam | 455.00 | 8.00 | 619.50 | 4.00 |
| Houston | 467.00 | 4.50 | 625.00 | 2.50 |
| Fujairah | 495.00 | 6.00 | 712.50 | 1.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 524.50 | 4.50 | 710.50 | 4.00 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 479.50 | 6.50 | 643.50 | 3.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 570.50 | 2.00 | 747.50 | 5.50 |
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