Page 218 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024

FLEET OPTIMISATION

other energy-saving measures such
as VFDs and Led lights.
Integrating these developments with
the human factor is rather challeng-
ing. All the above retrofits consist
of complex processes that involve
innovative technologies coupled
with skilful engineering. The human
element is the crucial factor in these
processes.
Ships have been transformed into
floating factories. Therefore, crew
competency and training, the estab-
lishment of a procedures and report-
ing framework, and high safety
standards for occupational health
play a crucial role in ensuring that
retrofitting is safe and effective for
ship operators.
Intensive training, improvement
of local ergonomics, digitalisation,
and IoT can assist in streamlining all
aspects of the retrofit process and
ensure effective and safe implemen-
tation on board.

Do you believe that larger companies have an
advantage in implementing fleet optimisation
strategies?
Larger companies have a higher turn-
over, a more diversified customer
portfolio, and, of course, the advan-
tage of economies of scale when it
comes to bulk retrofits, which all
ensure a higher level of flexibility and
ing to adopt as soon as green fuels lower risk in implementing their opti-
become available, and such an invest- misation strategies.
ment makes sense. Additionally, we In addition, larger companies have
recognise the potential of biofuel as better access to resources and a big-
a short-term solution to lower GHG ger budget to allocate a department
emissions and consider its technolog- to engage in the entire fleet optimisa-
ical readiness and near-term availabil- tion process holistically, from the ini-
ity. Therefore, we actively participate tial stage of research on cutting-edge
in our charterers’ campaigns, supply- technologies and alternative fuels
ing biofuel blends with a sustainabil- up to the post-retrofit stage of per-
ity certification to our vessels. formance analysis and investment
Meanwhile, we have invested in assessment.
the implementation of numerous
energy efficiency measures onboard How can shipping capitalise on AI? Are there
our existing fleet. These measures any specific applications particularly relevant
include, among others, propulsion to fleet optimisation?
improvement, propeller retrofits, pre AI has great potential in streamlining
and post-swirl devices, full blasting shipping operations and increasing
and top-quality low friction paint efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
application, bulbous bow retrofits, Its role in mitigating risks and assist-
trim optimisation modules, navigation ing the decision-making process can
upgrades, main engine tunings, and be transformative.

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