A recent report from Linnaeus University in Sweden shows that simulator training leads to a huge improvement in emission reduction for the shipping industry. According to the Senior Lecturer of the University, there is no doubt that the industry will depend on this technology in the years to come.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted new, stringent requirements related to CO2 emissions. One of the measures is the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). From January 1st, 2023, all vessels will be ranked from A to E, based on how much CO2 they emit per year. Vessels with the worst scores can be penalized with higher fees, and larger ports can be encouraged to require that vessels must be ranked as A or B in order to enter their dock. This means that reduction of emissions is crucial to the survival of shipping companies.
A recent report from Sweden’s Linnaeus University, concludes that simulator training leads to very positive results when it comes to fuel savings. This is based on re sults from several projects where employees from different parts of the shipping industry have practiced with their simulators.
The University has used simulators from KONGSBERG for over 40 years. Their special program for training on Bridge Resource Management (BRM) and Engine Room Resource Management (ERM), is given to students as part of their four-year Master Mariner course. During these classes, students both practice and get feedback on the fuel-consumption. This precise information is made possible by the connection between the K-Sim ship’s bridge and engine room simulators. During the last three years, totally 180 participants have passed these Eco-driving exercises.
The Linnaeus University has been engaged since 2015 by the Swedish Transport Agency to Eco-course all their crew members in Sweden. More than 400 crew members from Swedish road ferries have passed the course since the beginning. Results shows that during a typical course, crew members succeed in reducing fuel consumption by 1.5 liters per trip.
According to the University, this saving will deliver the reduction of 1.5 liters per trip is estimated to be around 2.5 M€ each year in savings for the company. They also estimate that CO2 emission will be reduced by at least 11,000 tons.
There are several shipping companies running small passenger ferries in the Stockholm archipelago. Today, the captains are required to join the Eco driving course at Linnaeus University. Each course includes a mix of theoretical and simulatws exercises. Normally 30 exercises will be carried out during a course. Findings from the report show that all captains change some behavior and attitude to their own ship handling and maneuvers. The improvement from all courses results in a fuel reductions up to 13 percent.
“With research data from different courses and projects, we have found that simulator training and exercises in Eco driving make positive results in fuel saving. All results from these independent projects and courses are similar and between 600-700 captains and officers have passed different Eco-driving training and exercises at our University. The training has given them huge positive results in fuel-saving, and all experienced improvements at reducing emissions. There is no doubt that the industry will depend on this method in the years to come."
K-Sim Engine and K-Sim Navigation in connection are used to carry out fuel-consumption studies improving the existing and future crews competence in taking the right measures to improve sustainability and economy.
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