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Lloyd's Register has explored in detail the potential use of new technologies to help reduce both marine fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Speaking at SMM Istanbul, Dr. Zabi Bazari, Ship Energy Services Manager for Lloyd's Register Marine Consultancy Services, said that energy savings as high as 40 percent can be achieved by incorporating new systems and approaches into the design of new ships. Looking ahead, he said that fuel cells could eventually become the main energy unit in commercial ships when low-carbon technologies and renewable sources of energy are firmly in place.

In his speech, Zabi reviewed existing and potential technologies in two main categories: hull and propulsors; and engines and auxiliary machinery.

To achieve a reduction in a ship's hydrodynamic resistance, Zabi advocated options such as optimised hull forms, latest foul release paints, the use of air cavity or air bubble systems and the use of sails for capturing wind and solar energies.

He underlined how the energy lost in propulsors can be mitigated by the use of contra-rotating propellers, flow-wise integrated propeller-rudder systems and propeller boss cap fins as well as hull mounted fins upstream of propeller for streamlining flow at entry to propeller.

Zabi identified the use of waste heat recovery systems, alternative fuels and electronic control common rail fuel injection system as the most effective and immediate means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions with existing engines. But he considered fuel cells as the most important and most likely long-term low and zero-carbon alternative.

He brought the audience up to date with developments in fuel cell technologies and the likely timeline for practical shipboard application. He said that after a further three year period of research and development, we would see a period of adoption of fuel cell technology - primarily to gradually replace auxiliary power generation engines.

But full replacement of existing engines/fuels combinations to fuel cell would not be likely for 20-30 years yet, he advised. He reviewed options for rotating machinery including high efficient electric motors and variable speed drives.

Zabi also advocated improvements in measurement and monitoring, especially wide-scale ship-board energy metering to facilitate subsequent operational energy management.

In a reference to current IMO initiatives on ship's 'energy efficiency design index', Zabi stated that regulatory changes will be the main driver for use of energy efficient and clean technologies. New technologies will support future compliance and will deliver financial benefits if energy efficiency is taken into account at design stage, he said.

The previous evening at Lloyd's Register's new year reception for Turkish shipowners, Zabi had introduced the ways by which fuel consumption and GHG emissions can be reduced on existing ships.

He explained how Lloyd's Register's Ship Energy Services can help its clients to deal with these challenges. As part of the Ship Energy Services, Zabi outlined the scope and benefits of services including: energy audits, performance monitoring and benchmarking, energy management training, CO2 indexing and emissions footprint, sulphur emission control areas (SECAs) fuel change-over plan and slow steaming advisory services.

David Barrow, Lloyd's Register EMEA Country Manager, Turkey said: "These new services have put Lloyd's Register in a strong position to support shipowners and operators in complying with environmental regulations and best practice as well as saving money and reducing their environmental impact."