Articles by Vessel Performance Optimisation (VPO) News

Reducing Methane Slip without compromising on Engine Performance

Swiss engine technology company WinGD is helping shipping companies to optimize engine combustion and reduce methane slip with a new intelligent dual fuel engine technology. Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling (iCER) is a new technology that has been brought to the market by engine specialists WinGD. The technology, which is integrated into the company’s new X-DF 2.0 engine design, recirculates…


OIM Wind to install KONGBERG Wind Turbine Installation Unit

Norway-based company OIM Wind will install a next-generation Wind Turbine Installation Unit (WTIU) by Kongsberg Maritime (KM) that will reduce energy consumption by up to 30 per cent. The installation is destined to be among the largest of its type. A Letter of Intent was signed between Chinese shipbuilder Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore and KM to deliver the BT-220IU Wind…



Fuel Choice – the Essential Decision in Shipping’s Decarbonization

DNV GL – Maritime has released the 4th edition of its Maritime Forecast to 2050. The purpose of Maritime Forecast to 2050 is to enhance the ability of shipping stakeholders, especially shipowners, to navigate the technological, regulatory and market uncertainties in the industry, and set shipping on a pathway to decarbonization. It is based on a library of 30 scenarios…


LNG Retrofits: The Time is Now

LNG as fuel has long been considered the industry’s last, best hope to meet the IMO’s ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. So why aren’t we seeing more LNG retrofits on existing tonnage? In April 2018, MEPC 72 adopted resolution MEPC.304(72) on the Initial IMO Strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships. The IMO has…


TECO & AVL to Boost Shipping’s Decarbonization with Marine Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Marine engineering and equipment development company TECO 2030 and engineering firm AVL List have announced plans to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system specifically designed for heavy-duty marine applications. The companies have been working to develop the TECO Marine Fuel Cell, with the aim to market the first proton-exchange membrane fuel cell system specifically designed for marine applications. The three-year…


The Three P’s of Vessel Performance Optimization

Columbia Ship-management has a vision for fully connected vessels with near real-time information exchange, strengthened processes, decision-making, and value creation for customers through end-to-end voyage optimization. Pankaj Sharma, Columbia Control Room manager of Columbia Ship-management believes that three aspects are critical to achieving this vision – implementing a scalable platform, ensuring the right people are working for you, and facilitating…


New Propeller Technology Reduces Cavitation by 14%

A new technology that reduces propeller cavitation volume by nearly 14% and underwater radiated noise (URN) by up to 21dB has been developed by Strathclyde University and Oscar Propulsion, a UK-based innovation and technology transfer company. The patented Oscar PressurePores system reduces propeller tip vortex cavitation by applying a small number of strategically bored holes in the propeller blades. The…


Eight Low-Emission Vessel Concept Designs

The shipping industry is ramping up its efforts to decarbonize by exploring the use of alternative fuels and technologies. Last week, a study led by Lloyd’s Register reveals that zero-emission vessels need to be entering the world fleet by 2030 if the industry is to come close to achieving the IMO 2050 GHG emissions reduction target. Shipping’s decarbonization will not…


The Fjords Announces New Zero Emission Vessel

The Fjords is to add another all-electric, zero emission passenger vessel to its fleet. The Legacy of The Fjords is under construction at Brødrene Aa and will join the hybrid Vision of The Fjords and all-electric Future of The Fjords once complete. Legacy of The Fjords will employ a specially constructed Power Dock, an innovative, floating, charging solution originally designed…


Inmarsat FleetBroadband Takes Major Step Toward Formal GMDSS Approval

The role of Inmarsat as the sole provider of satellite technology performing to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) standards is set for advancement after an IMO Sub-Committee decided to greenlight consideration of both FleetBroadband and Fleet One for formal approval. To date, Inmarsat is the only company that has received approval from the International Maritime Organization to provide…


The Importance of Crew in Energy Efficient Shipping

“The most important aspect of saving fuel and energy on board a vessel, is the crew,” Peter Knudsen, managing director at Blueflow Energy Management told VPO Global. The maritime industry has taken huge strides to improve the performance of the global fleet with the development of new technologies, increasing quantities of data, and improved connectivity between ship and shore. Advanced…