Demonstration of environmentally sound and cost-effective shipping

This paper reviews improvement options for environmentally sound and cost-effective short sea shipping based on co-operation with shipping companies and shipyards. In operation, fuel can be saved by pre-treatment of bunker oil, proper tuning of engines and use of antifouling agents. Machine chamber waste can be reduced by quality control of lubricants and engine maintenance. Redesign of ships and use of gasoil instead of heavy oil, enables pollution reduction, a 40–45% fuel saving, reduction of acidification by 75–80%, no soot and less sludge. Less toxic antifouling and a watershaft instead of propulsion lubricant can be used at low extra cost. A dedicated trade makes it possible to reduce sailing speed and handling in harbours, which save fuel up to 20% and reduce waiting time in harbours. The improvements reduce the life cycle costs of ships but require more initial investment. Auditing, demonstration projects and policy instruments like tariff differentiation foster good environmental practices.