At SMM, classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has launched a new product, the "GL EmissionManager", which allows owners and operators to collect, track and calculate the emissions of a ship in detail for the first time.
In cooperation with German shipping company Hamburg Süd, GL has developed the EmissionManager system to systematically capture all environmentally relevant ship operation data. Using this software tool, owners and operators no longer have to rely on assumptions and estimates, but instead have reliable data with which to assess the performance of vessels and fleets and to generate reports for mandatory regulations, voluntary databases and to satisfy a client base which is increasingly interested in verifying environmental performance.
Structured Reports
The software is designed to systematise and structure reports that are traditionally recorded in less coordinated ways. Operational and voyage-related data, such as noon/position report, departure, arrival, and stoppage reports are recorded and analysed and environmental information, examining factors such as fuel consumption, emissions to air (CO2, SOX, NOX), garbage, sludge, ballast water and chemicals, is extracted.
Emission Recorder and Green Server
The system consists of two parts, a software component that collects information ("emission recorder") and a “Green Server”, where the data is analysed and certified and where different reports are produced.
Collecting Data
The emission recorder is installed on the computer of the participating vessel. This software collects environmentally relevant data in the form of voyage and operation reports. Each report has a standard form containing relevant fields: for example, the port departure report contains fields regarding cargo load, fuel, position and more, whereas in the garbage report the crew can enter information about the amount and type of garbage and kind of disposal. This has the additional benefit of making traditional ship-to-shore reporting easier for the crew, as with one click the standard forms are transferred from the EM Recorder to the Green Server, which tracks all reports. In addition, standard event e-mails are automatically sent from the vessel to the Green Server in order to signify standard events such as port departure.
Logging, Structuring and Storing
The Green Server logs, structures and stores the data for comprehensive fleet analysis, providing data for regulatory or classification purposes (e.g. SEEMP, EEOI or Environmental Passport), or environmental shipping databases such as the Clean Shipping Index or Clean Cargo Working Group. In addition, it allows the data inventory to be certified for consistency and reliability. The system also checks that no reports are missing. If the Green Server, for example, receives an end of sea passage report, it automatically checks that all prior reports have been sent. If a report is missing, the vessel and the office are notified and further enquiries can be made.
Picture: Celebrating the launch of the new GL EmissionManager system at the GL Group booth at SMM 2012. From left to right: Albrecht Grell, Head of GL's Maritime Solutions Unit, Dr Torsten Büssow, Head of Maritime Software at GL, Dr Pierre C. Sames, GL's Head of Research and Rule Development, Dr Arndt Vespermann, Member of Executive Board Hamburg Süd, Dr Christian Beiersdorf, GL Maritime Software.
