The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container Ship

Modern marine propulsion systems must be reliable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical. Efforts to reduce fuel costs and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions per nautical mile have a significant impact on the choice of propulsion system. Considering that there...

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Main Authors: Vladimir Pelić, Ozren Bukovac, Radoslav Radonja, Nastia Degiuli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-03-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/3/675
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author Vladimir Pelić
Ozren Bukovac
Radoslav Radonja
Nastia Degiuli
author_facet Vladimir Pelić
Ozren Bukovac
Radoslav Radonja
Nastia Degiuli
author_sort Vladimir Pelić
collection DOAJ
description Modern marine propulsion systems must be reliable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical. Efforts to reduce fuel costs and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions per nautical mile have a significant impact on the choice of propulsion system. Considering that there is no alternative for maritime transport, various technical and technological solutions are being considered that aim to improve efficiency and reduce the negative impact on the environment. One of the ways to achieve this goal is slow steaming, which reduces fuel consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. The designed speed of the vessel has a significant impact on the efficiency of slow steaming. Slow steaming is particularly suitable for large container ships with a design speed of more than 20 knots. In this paper, the effects of slow steaming are analyzed using the example of a container ship with diesel-engine propulsion. Propulsion systems with low-speed and medium-speed marine diesel engines with mechanical power transmission are investigated. Data on the required engine power and propeller speed were used for the study, obtained from calculations during testing of the ship’s hull model. The effects of speed reduction on specific fuel consumption and emission reduction were analyzed using numerical models of two-stroke and four-stroke diesel engines. The models were calibrated and validated using data provided by the engine manufacturers. The paper analyses four different cases where one or two low-speed diesel engines, or three or four medium-speed diesel engines, are used for propulsion. The analysis concludes that slow steaming can effectively reduce fuel consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, but the choice of the optimal propulsion system is highly dependent on maritime market conditions in maritime transportation. The choice of propulsion system affects the potential of slow steaming.
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spelling doaj.art-dde96fdbbb984a4c8e78f560cfb692aa2023-11-17T11:58:55ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122023-03-0111367510.3390/jmse11030675The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container ShipVladimir Pelić0Ozren Bukovac1Radoslav Radonja2Nastia Degiuli3Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka, Studentska 2, 51000 Rijeka, CroatiaFaculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, Vukovarska 58, 51000 Rijeka, CroatiaFaculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka, Studentska 2, 51000 Rijeka, CroatiaFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10002 Zagreb, CroatiaModern marine propulsion systems must be reliable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical. Efforts to reduce fuel costs and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions per nautical mile have a significant impact on the choice of propulsion system. Considering that there is no alternative for maritime transport, various technical and technological solutions are being considered that aim to improve efficiency and reduce the negative impact on the environment. One of the ways to achieve this goal is slow steaming, which reduces fuel consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. The designed speed of the vessel has a significant impact on the efficiency of slow steaming. Slow steaming is particularly suitable for large container ships with a design speed of more than 20 knots. In this paper, the effects of slow steaming are analyzed using the example of a container ship with diesel-engine propulsion. Propulsion systems with low-speed and medium-speed marine diesel engines with mechanical power transmission are investigated. Data on the required engine power and propeller speed were used for the study, obtained from calculations during testing of the ship’s hull model. The effects of speed reduction on specific fuel consumption and emission reduction were analyzed using numerical models of two-stroke and four-stroke diesel engines. The models were calibrated and validated using data provided by the engine manufacturers. The paper analyses four different cases where one or two low-speed diesel engines, or three or four medium-speed diesel engines, are used for propulsion. The analysis concludes that slow steaming can effectively reduce fuel consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, but the choice of the optimal propulsion system is highly dependent on maritime market conditions in maritime transportation. The choice of propulsion system affects the potential of slow steaming.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/3/675slow steamingenergy efficiencyfuel efficiencycarbon dioxide emissionsmarine diesel enginesfuel consumption
spellingShingle Vladimir Pelić
Ozren Bukovac
Radoslav Radonja
Nastia Degiuli
The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container Ship
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
slow steaming
energy efficiency
fuel efficiency
carbon dioxide emissions
marine diesel engines
fuel consumption
title The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container Ship
title_full The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container Ship
title_fullStr The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container Ship
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container Ship
title_short The Impact of Slow Steaming on Fuel Consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions of a Container Ship
title_sort impact of slow steaming on fuel consumption and co sub 2 sub emissions of a container ship
topic slow steaming
energy efficiency
fuel efficiency
carbon dioxide emissions
marine diesel engines
fuel consumption
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/3/675
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