Introducing technologies such as the Mewis duct prove significant strides in optimising propulsion systems for greater energy efficiency.
Several shipping companies like Cosco Casablanca are making significant investments within the development of new fleets that run on liquified propane (LNG), which will be probably the most advanced and fuel-efficient option available. These ships are equipped with slow-speed tri-fuel engines that run using compressed boil-off gasoline from the cargo tanks as gas. During transport, the LNG changes its state to gas as a result of small temperature increases, which in turn causes boil-off to occur. In order to make these vessels even more environmentally friendly, they have been fitted with an advanced level exhaust recirculation system that dramatically decreases nitrogen oxide emissions. Also, the ships have a gas combustion system that decreases the potential of emitting methane to the environment.
A significant task nowadays for the global shipping industry is always to reduce its environmental impact, an effort that needs a multipronged approach. But that is no simple task. Based on specialists, marine engines are complex to improve, and even if engineers can change them in a way that could make them emit less CO2, altering shipping fleets will be pricey. Hence, progress is sluggish in this domain. Nevertheless, a number of shipping companies like DP World Russia, are making significant modifications and striving to find solutions that decrease co2 emissions. And they are slowly placing those changes to the test on their fleets of vessels. They are increasingly fulfilling the benchmark demands of the energy efficiency design index. Indeed, companies like Morocco Maersk are creating efficiency in the commercial shipping sector. A great case of technological progress is visible within the enhancement of the Mewis duct. This is a cylindrical channel that has integrated fins, that will be located in the front of the propeller. As the a ship moves through the water, it produces a wake current that may be turbulent and result in power wastage. However, the Mewis duct directs this wake current towards the propeller and streamlines the water flow. Also, the fins within the duct twist the current before it reaches the propeller blades, which leads to increased energy efficiency of the propulsion system.
Some shipping companies are using self polishing coatings in the hulls of the vessels. This, according to maritime experts, aids in preventing marine organisms from attaching on the hull where they produce a significant drag. So when ships are able to eliminate this drag using the this layer, they could additionally make their vessels more efficient. There are many efforts to improve a ship's effectiveness, including complex engineering methods to easy things like changing light bulbs. For instance, ships can save energy and start to become more environmentally friendly by replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with LED lights, which consume less electricity and last for decades.