ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF SHIPS AS A TOOL FOR REDUCING EMISSIONS: CURRENT PRACTICES, INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CHALLENGES

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of existing strategies and technologies for reducing emissions in shipping, in particular in the context of Ukrainian domestic shipping. The study covers a wide range of issues from international initiatives to national peculiarities of energy efficiency solutions implementation. The problem of assessing the energy efficiency of inland navigation in Ukraine is considered, IMO strategies and the realities of inland waterways are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine’s roadmap for reducing emissions, which offers a multi-stage approach to reducing harmful substances in the air. The importance of improving ship energy efficiency technologies, introducing new fuels and changing management strategies in the industry is emphasized. Technical solutions are analyzed in detail, including the use of emulsified fuel, which combines water and heavy marine fuel and provides cleaner combustion, reducing NOₓ emissions by up to 30 %. The prospects of biodiesel blends are being investigated, in particular the B20 blend, which reduces CO emissions by 19 % and CH emissions by 25 %. Optimization of speed and fuel ratio is considered as an effective way to minimize the carbon footprint through mathematical modeling of optimal route parameters and engine power. A special place is given to the analysis of energy efficiency indices, such as EEDI and EEOI, which are key tools for assessing and controlling CO2 emissions. The EEDI is calculated based on the ship’s design characteristics and stimulates the introduction of energy-efficient technologies in design, while the EEOI provides information on the actual efficiency of the ship during operation. Considerable attention is paid to the role of international cooperation platforms, such as PLATINA 3, Waterborne Technology Platform (WTP), European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), The Clean Shipping Coalition (CSC), which bring together public, private and research organizations to create an environmentally sustainable shipping environment. An innovative approach is to analyze the impact of additive technologies, in particular 3D printing, on the energy efficiency of ships. The possibilities of using 3D printing to manufacture components ranging from small parts to large elements, including propellers and hull sections, are considered. Particular attention is paid to the problems of surface roughness and dimensional accuracy, which affect the mechanical properties and performance of parts. Ukrainian scientific developments in the field of energy efficiency of shipping are analyzed, including new approaches to the formation of an energy efficiency index for large caravans on the Danube and practical results of shipping companies. The results of the analysis can be useful for scientists and experts in the field of inland navigation to develop effective strategies and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency of ships, as well as to integrate Ukraine into international environmental shipping policy.