Reducing Fuel Consumption

Reducing Fuel Consumption and Our Environmental Responsibility

Consuming fossil fuel is not without consequence. Atmospheric pollution affects the quality of the air that we breathe and disrupts the chemical composition of the oceans. Despite the fact that maritime transport is a very effective means of transportation, ships produce a significant quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG).

That’s why reducing fuel consumption by a few percentage points can make a big difference with respect to the GHG emitted.

It’s not uncommon, after a few relatively inexpensive changes, to achieve a 5% to 15% reduction in a ship’s fuel consumption. For example, if your ship consumes 4,000 tons of fuel per year, the amount of GHG that will be released into the atmosphere will drop by 640 tons. In addition, with the money saved (between $70,000 and $150,000 per year), you will recoup your investment very quickly.

For the majority of people who wish to lessen their impact on climate change, it is difficult for them to reduce their carbon footprint in a meaningful way. Even if they deploy all their efforts, it is rare that a single family can reduce its GHG emissions by more than two tons per year.

We often explain to ship captains that what a Canadian family can accomplish is a year, they can do in a single pass through the Welland Canal by adjusting the way they operate their ship.

We can make a difference by applying simple principles during the operation of our ships. The sound solution is to develop precise guidelines, draw them up in the form of a SEEMP[1], and enforce them. These guidelines must be realistic and specific to each type of ship. GHGES Marine Solutions can help you implement procedures adapted to your needs as well as heighten your crew’s awareness of their application.

By virtue of their capabilities, seafarers and shipowners are entrusted with a social licence in the face of climate change.

These capacities also come with the social responsibility to take the steps necessary to reduce their environmental impacts.

[1] SEEMP Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan.