- LR joins the EU-funded €6.3M LOWNOISER project to cut ship noise pollution.
- 15 partners will develop noise-reduction tech and industry regulations.
- Ship noise affects marine species like whales and fish.
- The project will test solutions for both new and existing vessels.
- Five ships, including a cruise vessel and oil tanker, will trial technologies.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has joined the LOWNOISER project, a European initiative focused on reducing underwater noise pollution caused by maritime traffic. With a funding of €6.3 million from the EU, the project brings together 15 partners to develop advanced noise-mitigation technologies, set regulatory standards, and improve industry practices to protect marine life.
Impact of Underwater Radiated Noise
Ships generate continuous underwater noise, which disrupts marine ecosystems, particularly species that depend on sound for navigation and communication, such as whales, fish, and invertebrates. The European Commission’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive aims to keep 80% of habitat sizes for key species free from biologically harmful noise levels, making noise reduction in shipping a priority.
Innovative Noise-Reduction Solutions
LOWNOISER will explore and demonstrate effective, long-term methods to minimize underwater noise from both new and existing vessels. Solutions being tested include air lubrication systems, low-noise bevel gears, advanced engine mounts, onboard noise-monitoring systems, and distributed acoustic sensing technology. Five full-scale demonstrators—including the Roald Amundsen cruise ship and the Montesperanza oil tanker—will validate these noise-mitigation technologies and assess their benefits for marine species.
Lloyd’s Register’s Role in the Project
LR will lead the regulatory framework development in Work Package 7, formulating guidelines for authorities and industry stakeholders. Additionally, LR will contribute to numerical and analytical modeling for underwater radiated noise and evaluate the effectiveness of the tested noise-mitigation measures.
Commitment to Sustainable Maritime Practices
Per Trøjgård Andersen, Technical Lead in Engineering Dynamics at Lloyd’s Register, emphasized LR’s dedication to sustainable solutions: “LR’s involvement in the LOWNOISER project demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable, long-term solutions for protecting marine ecosystems and safeguarding our oceans for future generations.”
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Source: Lloyd’s Register
