MARITIME - SLOW STEAMING

Slow steaming does not damage engines, says Maersk line Malaysia Sun Wednesday 5th October, 2011

• Maersk said Wednesday its slow steaming did not damage ships • Shipping line found that reducing speed saved 7% on fuel costs • Wants others to adopt slow steaming to prevent mandatory laws The world’s largest shipping line, AP Moller-Maersk, says it has saved around 7% in fuel costs through reducing the speeds of its ships and is encouraging other lines to follow suit. At a conference Wednesday, the Denmark-based shipping line said it had concluded a four year study and found marked fuel cost savings, with no damage inflicted on ships’ engines at slower speeds. “There were a lot of concerns about soot build-up, vibrations and propeller health. We addressed those concerns and found solutions,” said Jan de Kat, Maersk’s senior technical adviser. Maersk began instructing its fleet of around 500 ships to travel at 10 to 15 knots, instead of the standard 25 knots, back in 2007 in response to rising fuel costs. The industry leader has now made its findings public to other ship owners to reassure them that following the same strategy won’t damage their vessels. Maersk wants to see more shipping companies adopt voluntary slow-steaming in order to avoid local or international laws being introduced that would make the practise mandatory, as the line wants to retain flexibility in adhering to schedules. The entire Maersk fleet now operates on around 10% of maximum power, according to de Kat, which has resulted in fuel savings of 7% and an average speed reduction of 27%.