The Challenge of Innovation and Sustainability in the Tanker Business 

A great number of these changes relate to improving environmental friendliness or, at least, reducing environmental unfriendliness. There was also a lot of discussion about safety on board as well as innovations designed to improve commerciality. Earnest head-nodding and agreement pervaded presentations and sessions. 

And yet, while critical analysis and new ideas were tacitly approved on the conference floor, the reality onboard vessels appears to be that little changes without regulation. Is this because crew disregard innovation and favour tried and trusted, if old fashioned, methods? Or does management oversight waver in pursuit of a “buck”? 

We have to believe that the proclamations from executive management in the public eye, on safety, sustainability and corporate responsibility, are sincere. Whether you’re personally committed to reversing climate change or are cynical about our ability to make a meaningful difference, the fact is that your business, its reputation, access to finance and potential client base are all impacted by the “right” message. 

There is a gulf between ambitions and actual actions. While understandable considering the magnitude of the subject, we feel there is a need to bridge this gap and take actions now that lead to bigger actions in the future. We are here to support these steps today. 

By way of example, let’s refer to the thought-provoking presentation by Guy Johnson at this year’s conference. Or, more accurately, Mr Johnson’s latest attempt to highlight various safety, efficiency and commercial opportunities. 

Mr Johnson’s underlying point, that overcleaning (usually for scientifically spurious wall wash purposes) costs time, is highly polluting and, through unnecessary human tank entry, demonstrably dangerous, seems to be accepted. And yet, seemingly without any technical justification, commercial interests continue to insist on these traditional measures. 

Are such charterers able to substantiate the need for (over) cleaning to this extent? Are owners and operators so in thrall to these interests that they daren’t challenge their demands? Is it time to regulate away the thoughtless waste of energy, as well as, sometimes, loss of human life and ban the wall-wash completely? 

Let’s clearly understand, every hour of hot water washing generates nearly 2 M/T of carbon dioxide, together with the associated fuel costs. When multiplied across the global tanker fleet, the “cost” is incredible or, more positively, the potential for improvement is immense. 
This is a very rare case in which a green initiative may be taken with positive financial impact. Reduce emissions, reduce fuel costs and increase vessel availability. 

Why would we not pursue it?
 
A related theme, behind the scenes at conference, was the difficulty promoting innovative solutions in this market. It is ironic that the widely used analogy, in business in general, of a slowly turning oil tanker applies equally and accurately to this industry’s obsession with tradition and lethargy in change. 

Consider the development of new tank cleaning chemicals. In addition to the research and testing necessary to develop new products, each new development is then required (quite correctly) to submit to IMO oversight. This process is necessarily lengthy and restricted by IMO schedules to once or twice per year. 

Bear in mind that this development began as a response to a specific cleaning challenge. Accept that the new product can be shown to:  

1: work at lower concentrations than existing chemicals and/or  

2: be effective at lower temperatures, thus saving fuel and/or  

3: potentially result in significantly reduced cleaning time, thus again saving fuel and improving vessel availability and/or  

4: be less environmentally impactful than current solutions and/or 

5: deliver superior results to traditional methods and/or 

6: cost less or save more 

Why, then, is it so difficult for this new product to gain traction? It would seem to tick most boxes from a commercial point of view and yet, operationally, there is a marked reluctance to use it or comfort with traditional products and methods. 

Although periodically reviewing available products and services can be an administrative burden, in most industries companies schedule regular reviews to ensure they’re benefitting from the best available offering at competitive pricing.