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in rather complex operational and structure and bunkering facilities Naftika Xronika 1_3.pdf 1 20/6/2024 2:33:40
maintenance requirements rather are also to be constructed. There-
than “substantial benefits”. On the fore, alternative fuels may become
other hand, modern remote voy- available in the mid-2030s, pro-
age multi-functional management vided that the geopolitical situa-
tools will certainly assist in the tion remains relatively stable.
establishment of more efficient
commercial operations. The EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, and CII
have all been criticised as regional or
In light of the upcoming environmen- inefficiently designed regulations. How
tal regulations, half of the participants can a regulation focusing on a vessel’s
believe that investing in machine learn- energy efficiency ensure fairness, trans-
ing (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) parency, accountability, and compet-
alongside green technologies and alter- itiveness?
native fuels is critical. What are some The absence of a consensus
ways in which ML and AI could funda- among the IMO members over
mentally transform the way we perceive the past several years for the
the energy efficiency of vessels? introduction of globally applica-
The possibilities of AI are limitless ble measures is indicative of the
and its application in shipping will difficulties that must be overcome
assist in the acquisition of true before a fair and efficient legisla-
and correct data from vessels, the tion framework is introduced.
analysis of performance parame- In the meantime, regional reg-
ters, as well as the prediction of ulations are already in force as
C
future events, which will lead to proof of the local ambitions, aim-
M
more informed decision-making. ing to accelerate shipping’s pace
Thus, the optimisation of vessel towards a more sustainable era. Y
operations will be achieved, ulti- However, unless all parameters –
CM
mately resulting in significant the global fleet’s current profile,
MY
energy efficiency improvements. the maturity of various technolog-
CY
In a broader sense, AI will serve ical solutions, global shipbuilding
as one of the technological pillars capacity, the availability of alter-
CMY
for building and operating the next native fuels at scale and of finan-
K
generation of semi- or fully auton- cial tools and incentives, etc. – are
omous vessels, which, ideally, will taken into consideration, the reg-
be more sustainable and environ- ulations cannot be adequately fair
mentally friendly. and transparent.
The availability of alternative fuels is The reduction of sailing speeds is often
considered the most significant chal- highlighted as essential for achieving
lenge in achieving the goal of green shipping’s decarbonisation goals. How-
shipping. What do you consider a ever, wouldn’t energy efficiency assume
realistic timetable for the widespread a subsidiary role in instances of limited
production of alternative fuels and the vessel supply?
development of the necessary supply To put it briefly, the reduction of
chains? sailing speeds could be imple-
Although it is not widely known, mented on older vessels to meet
there are currently over a thou- the emission reduction targets.
sand active green fuel produc- However, it should be highlighted
tion plants worldwide, aiming to that slower speeds are usually
produce green methanol, green driven by purely commercial fac-
ammonia, or green LNG at scale. tors, irrespective of the vessel’s
Most of them are considered age, design, or efficiency. In this
staged projects, expected to reach regard, the likelihood of establish-
full capacity over a period of more ing a “two-tier” commercial man-
than 10 years from now. At the agement practice for the global
same time, the necessary infra- fleet is very low.

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