MD for ClassNK leads seminar on innovative technologies to improve ship efficiency

Dr Abdul Rahim, MD Europe and Africa for ClassNK led an excellent seminar on innovative technologies for improving ship efficiency. ClassNK (the Japanese equivalent of Lloyd's register, invests around $30m each year in projects related to improving the safety, efficiency and environmental performance of shipping.

Projects range from engineering solutions such as sail power and friction reducing bubbles to software based solutions optimising route and vessel performance. Alone these technologies won't save the shipping industry's world, but in clever combinations significant reductions in fuel use are possible. As usual though, cost is paramount, and with the relatively low price for fuel it is harder to make the economic case for adoption. Until the oil price recovers it will be the impact of regulations such as the Ballast Water Convention and emissions controls that drive forward the adoption of new technologies.