- Blue Planet Shipping Focuses on Sustainable Solutions Despite Small Fleet.
- Innovative Sail Technology Gains Momentum in the Shipping Industry.
- Third-Generation Leadership Drives Technological Advancements at Victoria Steamship.
Nikos Apodiakos is the third generation of leadership at Victoria Steamship Co. Ltd, which was established by his grandfather in London in 1946. Today, the company is an agent for Blue Planet Shipping and operates 13 bulk carriers ranging from 50,000 dwt to 95,000 dwt. Most of the ships have been built within the last decade, reports LR.
A New Path in a Changing Environment
In an era where the largest shipping companies can typically afford to test new technologies, Blue Planet Shipping stands out for pursuing innovation with modest resources. Over the last eight decades, despite having a comparatively small fleet, the company has prioritized environmental sustainability and explored new technologies, some of which are only now being broadly developed.
A Legacy of Innovation in Shipping
Industry pioneers through Costas Apodiakos, Nikolaos’ father, were the leading company in an innovative approach, first with the beginning of the research on wind power for merchant vessels around 2000. Further on, this research was to include a lot of other technologies focused on improving the shipping environmental footprint. Spiros Contopoulos, the company’s Technical Director, supported all of Costas’ work, and he continues to contribute to these pioneering projects.
Industry Pioneers with Adoption of Wind Power Technology
Within the broader shipping industry, an increasingly common application for wind power technology is being used in the field. For example, Vale S.A.’s 400,000 dwt Sohar Max is the world’s largest ore carrier, featuring Anemoi sails installed by Oman’s Asyad Shipping. They are 35m high, aimed at reducing the ship’s consumption of fuel and associated emissions. Vale expects around 6% fuel savings in trade routes connecting Brazil, the Middle East, and China where wind energy benefits are most evident. The same is expected on Berge Bulk’s Berge Neblina, a 388,000 dwt Valemax ship, for which Anemoi sails have been installed.
Scaling Sail Technology to Smaller Vessels
The Anemoi sail technology is also being scaled down for use on smaller ships. Earlier this year, Anemoi was awarded part of a UK Government grant through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. The funding will be shared between Victoria Steamship, Connected Places Catapult, and Frazer-Nash Consultancy to design and develop smaller versions of its sails for use on Handysize bulk carriers, product and chemical tankers, and ro-ro ships.
Proven Technologies for Fuel Efficiency
Victoria Steamship has also explored various other technologies to improve fuel efficiency across its fleet. These include:
- Variable Frequency Drives: Used to optimize pump operation and engine room fan ventilators, resulting in a fuel saving of about 0.5-0.6 mt at sea and in port, which equates to roughly a 2.5% fuel saving on an Ultramax vessel.
- Shaft Generators: These systems use main engine power to generate electricity, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines. This technology saves about 0.7 mt of fuel per day on a Kamsarmax vessel, yielding a 3% saving at sea and reducing maintenance costs for generator engines.
- Advanced Hull and Propeller Coatings: These coatings improve performance and longevity, contributing to overall fuel savings.
- Wind Generators: Capable of producing up to 200kW at sea and in port, depending on wind strength.
The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Shipping
While the impact of these technologies may seem incremental when considered separately, Nikolaos Apodiakos and his team highlight the growing importance of energy efficiency in shipping. With new regulations on energy use and emissions continuously being introduced, shipowners and operators can no longer afford to operate in a business-as-usual manner. As Nikolaos emphasizes, “For the industry to overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow, it is imperative that such collaboration and partnerships grow and develop further.”
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Source: LR
