In these unprecedented and challenging times, prudent ship owners and operators should be looking to build resilience into their operations - not by looking for quick-fix solutions, but by working to unlock long-term and tangible savings across their entire operations
By Andreas Glud, Group Segment Manager, Marine, Dry Dock, Hempel A/S
When it comes to vessel performance, there is no “one-size-fits all” solution to improving efficiency but, thankfully, marginal efficiency gains provided through a combination of design, technical and operational factors can result in significant savings for most operators.
Central to the efficiency equation is maximising fuel reduction. Shipowners and operators have long been adopting a range of methods to achieve fuel efficiency such as slow steaming, better port scheduling and reduced port calls. However, these measures mean that vessel constraints are determining business considerations, rather than the other way around. Optimising hull performance however allows the vessel to trade efficiently across a wide range of marine environments without interrupting or impacting on commercial requirements. Central to this is an investment in a quality hull coating solution.
Each player has a part
Biofouling has a significant impact on the hydrodynamics of a ship and starts to accumulate from the moment a vessel hits the water. It has been estimated that extensive biofouling can reduce hull efficiency typically by 18 per cent on average over five years. The resulting increase in drag requires a significantly higher fuel consumption to maintain a desired speed and this, of course, translates to higher costs and increased emissions. Choosing the optimum hull coating can play an important role.
Effective antifouling is a basic operational imperative for any shipowner and there are now advanced coating solutions available that can deliver as much as 14 per cent in fuel savings across the docking interval. But can more be done?
Shaping the way
Hempel, the worldwide coatings manufacturer with over 100 years’ experience under its belt recently launched a new service called SHAPE (Systems for Hull and Propeller Efficiency) to further optimise efficiencies by leveraging data to gather detailed insight on vessel performance. SHAPE is based on the ISO 19030 standard that defines the methodology for determining changes in hull and propeller performance and details industry standard measures for propeller efficiency.
SHAPE is a process of measurement over time that monitors the long-term efficiency trends through a range of in-service performance indicators. Hempel maximises the quality of performance data by combining elements of hull and propeller efficiency optimisation. This allows Hempel’s experts to deliver professional advice to shipowners and operators on how best to optimise performance and maximise return on investment.
Step by step process
The detailed process behind SHAPE monitors long-term changes in a vessel’s hull performance that results from a number of factors, including fouling. There are six key stages that comprise the transparent and thorough process of SHAPE.
First, the vessel’s speed power reference curves are established. Next, in-service data is collected, cleansed and purified to eliminate extreme operating conditions and the effects of environmental factors. From this, precise speed loss calculations are undertaken – this is critical to understand vessel performance and fuel efficiency as power increase and speed loss are directly related. Subsequently four KPIs are calculated; dry docking performance, in service performance, maintenance trigger, and maintenance effect.
Following this detailed process Hempel’s experts are armed with the data required to provide solid advice to the shipowner on how they might improve their fuel efficiency. By combining innovative solutions such as the SHAPE system with advanced hull coatings, shipowners and operators are better placed to take data driven long term decisions on how to maximise their vessels’ energy efficiency.
SHAPE at a glance:
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