Page 143 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

However, it is inevitable that, in the long try nearing a tipping point where we will witness
run, the industry will have to shift from substantial benefits from the implementation of
conventional fuels to zero-carbon solu- technological solutions?
tions. The real challenge then becomes: Improving energy efficiency is absolutely
• How far in time will the point of the right first step. Our primary mandate,
this transition be? (The longer as people working toward a net-zero
the timeline, the easier it will be carbon future, is to reduce energy con-
to make a final decision) sumption. The shipping industry’s energy
• How difficult will it be to retrofit efficiency has been steadily improving
zero-carbon solutions onto stan- over the years. Notable examples include
dard ships? significant reductions in the specific fuel
At present, committing to any specific consumption of engines, advances in
solution is both risky and premature. No hydrodynamic design, and improvements
one has a crystal ball to predict the future in hull coatings that reduce friction.
with certainty. History shows that what Decarbonisation will come at an extra
seems like the dominant solution today cost, but the less fuel a ship consumes -
may be irrelevant in 10 or 15 years. meaning, the more energy efficient it is -
As a result, the best course of action is to the lower this additional cost will be. This
prioritise flexibility, ensuring that vessels is precisely what is needed for the global
can adapt to a rapidly changing environ- supply chain that shipping supports. At
ment and remain competitive rather than the same time, higher energy efficiency
becoming stranded assets. means reduced demand for alternative
fuels or CO2 disposal, making the overall
According to the participants’ responses, the energy transition smoother.
implementation of multiple technological solutions However, simply reducing fuel consump-
is considered the most effective way to reduce tion won’t be enough to achieve net zero.
a ship’s carbon footprint. Is the shipping indus- Ultimately, zero-carbon solutions will be
necessary.

In light of the upcoming environmental regula-
tions, half of the participants believe that investing
in machine learning and AI alongside green tech-
nologies and alternative fuels is critical. What are
some ways in which machine learning and AI could
fundamentally transform the way we perceive the
energy efficiency of vessels?
Shipping relies on a large number of cer-
tified, though not always fully qualified,
seafarers. I believe that AI and machine
learning can significantly support the
human element in adopting new technol-
ogies, which are essential for the energy
transition. In addition, AI can contribute to
improvements in several areas, including:
• Cargo management, port opera-
tions, and supply chain/logistics
optimisation
• Route optimisation
• Environmental monitoring
• Market analysis
However, we must also consider the fact
that AI generally increases energy con-
sumption on land. For example, AI already
accounts for 3.5% of the U.S.’s electricity
usage today, a figure projected to rise to
over 5.5% by 2027 and potentially exceed
9% by 2030.

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