Ship Efficiency Guide
One of the main levers for greater environmental protection in shipping is energy-efficient ship operation. As there are now several sustainability and climate regulations that are already in force or soon will be – the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) – members of the Ship Efficiency specialist group at Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (MCN) initiated the production of a guide, in collaboration with experts.
The MCN Ship Efficiency Guide was presented to the public for the first time in September 2022. The guide, which will be updated and complemented at regular intervals, is intended for shipping companies, ship operators and other players in the maritime industry. The document aims to provide an overview of existing regulations in international maritime shipping, and present technical options for improving ship operation that are suitable for enhancing the efficiency of new ships as well as existing ships.
It gives particular attention to the question of how the regulatory requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for efficiency and sustainability can be met with modern CO2 neutral and CO2 free marine fuels. The guide contains detailed information on the major fuels heavy oil, marine diesel, LNG, LPG, methanol, ethanol, FAME, ammonia (refrigerated and pressurised), liquid hydrogen (LH2) and gaseous hydrogen (GH2).
A supplementary colour-coded comparison matrix shows the effects of the different fuels with regard to the availability of engines, the space required for tanks, and the availability of the bunker fuel. This should enable an initial feasibility assessment for marine applications. The table also uses a traffic light system to indicate the current achievability of the IMO’s targets for 2050.
In a second evaluation matrix for decision-makers, the guide presents key technical approaches and measures to increase efficiency, together with their impact on the most relevant indicators such as capital expenditure, return on investment and CII, EEDI and EEXI, but also the effects on speed, operating hours and payload.
“We are very proud of the results that our specialist group and other experts have produced,” states Katrin Caldwell, head of the MCN Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania office, which coordinates the Ship Efficiency specialist group together with the MCN Schleswig-Holstein office. “The guide is meant to serve as a decision basis and provide a quick overview. At the same time, we would like to point out that technologies are changing rapidly, new ones are emerging, and we are continuously working on updates to our guide.”
Request a copy of the guide
The Ship Efficiency Guide was updated in 2024, find out more about the changes here. You can request a copy using the form below.