Is slow steaming a viable option to meet the novel energy efficiency requirements for containerships?

The Marine Environment Protection Committee has introduced the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index, which will enter into force in 2023, to reduce emissions from existing ships. Since many existing ships do not comply with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index requirements, certain mitigation measures must be applied to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In this study, an analysis of slow steaming for fulfilling these requirements is carried out using the example of containerships built until 2016 employing the analytic model. The required speed reduction for ships which do not meet the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index requirements is quantified, and the potential problems related to long-term sailing with reduced speed are highlighted. The relationship between ship speed and fuel consumption for Post Panamax, Post Panamax Plus, and Very Large Containership fleets is analysed. The obtained results highlight the significance of potential implementation issues of each mitigation measure to achieve sustainable growth of the maritime transport industry.

Automated summary

In order to reduce emissions from existing ships, the Marine Environment Protection Committee has introduced the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index and carried out an analysis of slow steaming to meet the index requirements. The study highlights the significance of each mitigation measure for achieving sustainable growth in the maritime transport industry.