Study to assess green fleet development
Hannes von Knorring, principal consultant, DNV Maritime and Sebastian Tamm, chairman of RSI and Sustainability & Logistics manager at EFO (Source: DNV)
A feasibility study has been launched by the Responsible Shipping Initiative (RSI) and classification society DNV to assess scope to develop a commercial framework for new green-fuelled ships. The RSI is an alliance of Swedish dry bulk charterers and the vessels would be designed to replace ageing assets currently deployed in the Baltic and North seas.
Many existing ships in these trades are expected to reach the end of their working lives within the next five to ten years. The study, supported by funding from Sweden’s traffic administration, Trafikverket, will assess the potential for new vessel designs developed jointly between different supply chain stakeholders including cargo owners, shipowners, suppliers, and authorities.
The study will assess the potential for introducing new ships based on two different green ship concepts. The ECO-Bulk concept will analyse scope to reduce emissions as much as possible within current commercial terms. The ZERO-Bulk concept, on the other hand, will examine zero-emission possibilities. This more ambitious aim is expected to require more collaboration and longer commitments between different stakeholders.
RSI chairman, Sebastian Tamm, who is also Sustainability & Logistics manager at energy sourcing and logistics firm EFO, said: “Despite great strides being made to reduce our carbon footprint from land transport, progress has been lagging in shipping, even though this accounts for a large share of our transport needs.
“Through an exchange of knowledge and information, shipowners will be able to gain a better understanding of the market’s requirements to make the right newbuild investment decisions,” he added.
