A new research project aims to reduce the energy consumption of container ships by ten to twenty per cent.
This will result in considerable environmental and economic benefits. The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation (Højteknologifonden) has just invested DKK 5 million in a project which is a collaboration between MAN Diesel & Turbo, Maersk Line and DTU Mekanik (The Technical University of Denmark's Mechanical Technology Department).
Slow Steaming Increases Wear and Tear
Increasing oil prices have resulted in the massive container ships that carry cargo to the four corners of the world having to sail at a slower speed in order to save fuel. However, the slower speed has implications for the performance of the engine and wear and tear of components, and result in neither engines nor propellers working optimally.
As a consequence, the existing fleet has to be fitted with new technology that is energy-optimised for lower speeds and, at the same time, has a lower level of emissions than is the case today.
New Technology for Existing Container Ships
New ships can be designed with highly energy-efficient engine systems but there is no solution for the countless ships already sailing around the world. Therefore, MAN Diesel & Turbo, Maersk Line and DTU Mekanik have pooled their efforts to develop new technology and design new propellers that are adapted for existing container ships.
The target group consists of 500 ships that were built for a world with lower energy prices and fewer environmental requirements. The project has the potential to ensure economic gains running to an amount in the double-digit million range per ship.
Optimal Solution for Each Ship Series
The engine system of a container ship entails advanced interplay between the hull, propeller and the engine itself. Therefore, the old engine cannot just be replaced with a new, more energy-efficient one. DTU Mekanik has, along with MAN Diesel & Turbo, developed a tool that is able to calculate the interaction between the three components so that it is possible to customise the optimal solution for each series of ships.
If the project is a success, the ambition is to test a prototype at sea in order to obtain further knowledge. Commercial and operational considerations permitting, this may be done on one of Maersk Line’s ships.
Picture by Maersk Line
