Container ship sailing with data visualizations, representing ship energy efficiency and environmental impact.

Sailing Smarter: How a Novel Model Can Boost Ship Energy Efficiency

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Elliot Brynn in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a cutting-edge ship energy efficiency model, incorporating random environmental factors, promises a greener and more profitable maritime future."


The shipping industry, responsible for transporting over 80% of international trade, faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. With the Paris Agreement setting ambitious goals for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, the maritime sector must innovate to minimize its carbon footprint. Energy efficiency isn't just an environmental imperative, it's also a key factor in improving the economic competitiveness of shipping companies.

Traditional methods of assessing ship energy efficiency often fall short by not fully accounting for the dynamic and unpredictable nature of real-world operating conditions. Factors like weather, sea state, and waterway depth can significantly impact a ship's fuel consumption and overall efficiency. To address this gap, a new ship energy efficiency model has been developed, incorporating random environmental parameters to provide a more accurate and reliable assessment.

This innovative model, tested on a 53,000-tonne bulk carrier, offers a promising approach to simulating ship energy efficiency under a variety of conditions. By considering factors like cargo loading, ship speed, and the impact of environmental variables, the model aims to provide valuable insights for ship managers seeking to optimize their operations and reduce emissions.

Decoding the Ship Energy Efficiency Model: What Factors Matter?

Container ship sailing with data visualizations, representing ship energy efficiency and environmental impact.

The model is built upon four core components: ship energy efficiency operational indicator (EEOI), ship fuel consumption, ship main engine power, and ship fluid dynamic resistance. By integrating these elements, the model provides a comprehensive view of a ship's energy performance. Data is gathered from onboard sensors, which provide real-time measurements of fuel consumption, shaft power, ship speed, and other relevant parameters.

To account for the inherent variability of environmental conditions, the model employs the Monte Carlo simulation method. This statistical technique allows for the simulation of multiple scenarios, each with slightly different environmental parameters. By running a large number of simulations, the model can generate a probability distribution of possible energy efficiency outcomes, providing a more realistic picture of a ship's expected performance.

Here's a breakdown of the key factors considered:
  • Ship Speed: The speed at which the ship travels significantly impacts fuel consumption and energy efficiency.
  • Cargo Loading: The amount of cargo being transported affects the ship's draft and resistance, influencing energy requirements.
  • Wind and Waves: These environmental factors can create additional resistance, increasing fuel consumption.
  • Water Depth: Shallow water can increase a ship's resistance, requiring more power to maintain speed.
  • Ocean Currents: Sailing with or against currents affects the ship's speed over ground and energy expenditure.
The model was verified using actual data collected from a bulk carrier operating on a Chinese coastal route. The simulation results were compared to the measured fuel consumption data, and the model demonstrated a good level of accuracy. This suggests that the model can be a valuable tool for ship managers seeking to assess and optimize their ship's energy efficiency.

Setting Sail Towards a Greener Future

The development of this novel ship energy efficiency model represents a significant step towards a more sustainable maritime industry. By providing a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of ship performance, the model can help ship managers make informed decisions about optimizing their operations and reducing emissions. The model offers decision support for optimizing ship energy efficiency, promoting energy saving and emission reduction within the shipping industry. As the pressure to decarbonize the shipping industry continues to grow, tools like this will be essential for navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What are the main components used to build the ship energy efficiency model, and how do they contribute to assessing a ship's energy performance?

The ship energy efficiency model is built upon four core components: the ship energy efficiency operational indicator (EEOI), ship fuel consumption, ship main engine power, and ship fluid dynamic resistance. By integrating these elements and gathering real-time data from onboard sensors, the model provides a comprehensive view of a ship's energy performance, accounting for factors such as fuel consumption, shaft power, and ship speed.

2

How does the Monte Carlo simulation method enhance the accuracy of the ship energy efficiency model, particularly in accounting for environmental variability?

The Monte Carlo simulation method enhances the accuracy of the ship energy efficiency model by allowing for the simulation of multiple scenarios, each with slightly different environmental parameters. By running a large number of simulations, the model generates a probability distribution of possible energy efficiency outcomes. This statistical technique provides a more realistic picture of a ship's expected performance by accounting for the inherent variability of environmental conditions.

3

What specific environmental factors does the ship energy efficiency model consider, and how do these factors impact a ship's fuel consumption and overall efficiency?

The ship energy efficiency model considers several key environmental factors, including wind and waves, water depth, and ocean currents. These factors can significantly impact a ship's fuel consumption and overall efficiency. For instance, wind and waves can create additional resistance, increasing fuel consumption. Shallow water can also increase a ship's resistance, requiring more power to maintain speed. Ocean currents affect the ship's speed over ground and energy expenditure, influencing fuel efficiency.

4

In what ways can ship managers utilize the novel ship energy efficiency model to optimize their operations and reduce emissions?

Ship managers can utilize the novel ship energy efficiency model to make informed decisions about optimizing their operations and reducing emissions. The model offers decision support by providing a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of ship performance, considering factors like cargo loading, ship speed, and environmental variables. By understanding how these factors impact energy efficiency, managers can implement strategies to promote energy saving and emission reduction within their fleet.

5

How was the ship energy efficiency model validated, and what do the results suggest about its potential as a tool for the maritime industry?

The ship energy efficiency model was validated using actual data collected from a 53,000-tonne bulk carrier operating on a Chinese coastal route. The simulation results were compared to the measured fuel consumption data, and the model demonstrated a good level of accuracy. This suggests that the model can be a valuable tool for ship managers seeking to assess and optimize their ship's energy efficiency, promoting a more sustainable maritime industry.

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