Decarbonization has become a key word in shipping.
A small ship-owner may find it a challenge to plan for retrofitting ships engines to run on alternative fuel due to many factors. The uncertainty of investing in right technology, availability of alternate fuel, high cost, time involved, availability of shipyard, very little experience and zero emission fuels are still on the test bed of engine makers. There is also concern of ship owner with age of vessel that can be made retrofit ready. But one thing ship owner can plan is for lowering the emissions of existing fleet by fuel saving retrofits in coming dry dock schedule of vessel.
Dry docking provides an opportunity for vessel owners and operators to implement decarbonization and fuel-saving retrofits.
- The vessel’s hull can be optimized to improve hydrodynamic efficiency. This includes
applying silicone / advanced hull coatings (fuel saving about 5 to 6% %) including hull
weld fairing system reducing drag and obtaining up to 2.5% fuel savings. - To get EEXI compliant, vessels will need limitation of engine power even if vessels
may have increased scantling draft to improve EEXI. Thus retrofitting new design of
propeller would be an additional fuel saving.
- De rating the Main Engine. Engine makers Intelligent control systems / Eco control.
Installation of SSUK valves, Turbochargers upgrade, Installation of Exhaust By pass.
- Waste heat recovery systems can be retrofitted to utilize waste heat from ship’s
engines. Aux Economizers can be fitted on aux engines. Shaft Generator, solar panels
can be installed. Fitting of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and sensors for Engine
Room Fans, Cooling water Pumps and various ER systems, upgrade of auxiliary
cooling water systems.
- Air lubrication system (ALS) and wind assisted propulsion / Rotor sails technology
can boost efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Hull appendages like Becker Mewis
duct (BTF), propeller boss cap fin (PBCF) can be installed. Optimum bulbous bow
retrofit for slow steaming can produce fuel savings of 5% or more per year.
- AMP or Cold Ironing equipment can be installed in dry dock. Replacement of
standard fluorescent tubes and halogen lamps with energy efficient LED lighting can be
completed in dry dock.
- Dry docking provides an opportunity to retrofit vessels with hybrid propulsion
systems. This involves integrating electric propulsion systems, batteries, and power
management systems into existing vessels.
- Dry docking is an ideal time to install exhaust gas cleaning systems. Scrubbers can
be retrofitted to existing vessels during dry docking.
- Dry docking offers an opportunity to implement digitization and automation
technologies, which can enhance vessel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. This
includes installing sensors, data analytics systems, and automation controls to optimize
operations and monitor performance.
Retrofits will depend on vessel type and operational requirements.