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Signal’s technology resolves fundamental problems in energy performance and emissions compliance in an asset-light way

This article examines recent progress and initiatives by the shipping industry to meet new IMO targets and provides Signal Ocean Platform data on emissions developments and trends.

The Signal Group
April 30, 2024

In the realm of shipping, the interplay between consumption efficiency, financial implications, and environmental impact is increasingly crucial. Enhanced consumption efficiency not only contributes to cost savings but also mitigates the environmental footprint. For commercial operators, such as pool operators, implementing real-time energy consumption monitoring systems emerges as a strategic imperative. By closely monitoring energy usage, operators can identify inefficiencies, optimize routes, and adjust operational practices to enhance both financial performance and environmental sustainability. In this landscape, investing in technologies and practices that promote consumption efficiency brings a strategic advantage.

Accurately and dynamically monitoring a vessel's energy consumption and emissions poses a considerable challenge within the shipping industry. While owners and technical managers have the option to install sensors and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices to gather data, there are complexities in achieving real-time monitoring across vast maritime operations. Unlike other industries where monitoring systems can be seamlessly integrated, the maritime environment presents unique challenges due to the remote and dynamic nature of vessel operations. 

Commercial operators rely on data provided by humans, which typically involves manual entries into reporting systems. However, this reliance on manual input introduces the potential for errors and inconsistencies in reporting. There is a pressing need for advancements in technology and data collection methodologies within the maritime sector to enhance the accuracy and reliability of monitoring systems and enable increased efficiency in daily operations. 

Responding to this need, Signal has developed and refined a solution over the years to obtain accurate daily data directly from vessels. The approach involves a 'plug and play' system for processing noon reports and calculating actual emissions, requiring no installation on the vessel or office infrastructure, and can be operational within a single day. 

This streamlined solution is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring a user-friendly format with only essential fields necessary for Captains, Operators, and Performance Analysts to efficiently perform their tasks. Signal's focus extends beyond mere data collection; they aim to enhance data quality through robust validations and comparison with third-party sources such as weather data and Automatic Identification System (AIS) information. By leveraging external data sets and implementing stringent validation measures, Signal's solution offers a comprehensive and reliable means of monitoring energy consumption and emissions including CII rating and EU Allowances, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions for their fleet. 

The demand for accurate and efficient monitoring of vessel energy consumption and emissions extends across the entire shipping industry, making Signal's solution relevant to a wide range of stakeholders; from asset-light operators who charter-in vessels to asset-heavy companies and technical managers seeking noon reports validation for compliance and submission to authorities. Moreover, Signal is transforming their in-house tool into a comprehensive end-to-end product, ensuring seamless integration into existing shipping systems and verifiers. With a major shipping player already onboarded, Signal is rapidly building a robust pipeline to contribute in resolving common challenges among shipping operators.

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Creating a sustainable world requires us to embark on a journey towards a zero emission future, where every step is a commitment to preserve our planet for future generations.
Albert Greenway
Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Expert
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Increased Use of Renewable Energy:

Shipping companies are embracing renewable energy sources to power onboard systems and reduce emissions during port operations. Solar panels and wind turbines are being installed on vessels to generate clean energy, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines, and cutting down emissions. Shore power facilities in ports allow ships to connect to the electrical grid, eliminating the need for onboard generators while docked.

Collaboration and Industry Partnerships:

Recognizing that addressing emissions requires collective action, shipping companies, governments, and organizations have formed partnerships and collaborations. These initiatives focus on research and development, sharing best practices, and promoting knowledge transfer. Joint projects aim to develop and deploy innovative technologies, improve infrastructure, and create a supportive regulatory framework to accelerate the industry's transition towards a greener future. The Zero Emission Shipping - Mission Innovation.

To pave the way for a greener future in shipping, the availability of alternative fuels plays a vital role in their widespread adoption. However, this availability is influenced by factors such as port infrastructure, local regulations, and government policies. As the demand for cleaner fuels in shipping rises and environmental regulations become more stringent, efforts are underway to improve the accessibility of these fuels through infrastructure development, collaborations, and investments in production facilities.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure has seen significant growth in recent years, resulting in more LNG bunkering facilities and LNG-powered vessels. Nonetheless, the availability of LNG as a marine fuel can still vary depending on the region. To ensure consistent availability worldwide, there is a need for further development of LNG supply chains and infrastructure. For biofuels, their availability hinges on production capacity and the availability of feedstock. Although biofuels are being produced and utilized in various sectors, their availability as a marine fuel remains limited. Scaling up biofuel production and establishing robust supply chains are imperative to ensure wider availability within the shipping industry.Hydrogen, as a fuel for maritime applications, is still in the early stages of infrastructure development. While some hydrogen vessels have been tested or introduced in the first quarter of last year, the infrastructure required for hydrogen production and distribution needs further advancement.

Ammonia, as a marine fuel, currently faces limitations in availability. The production, storage, and handling infrastructure for ammonia need further development to support its widespread use in the shipping industry.Methanol, on the other hand, is already a commercially available fuel and has been used as a blend with conventional fuels in some ships. However, its availability as a standalone marine fuel can still be limited in certain regions. Bureau Veritas in October 2022 published a White Paper for the Alternative Fuels Outlook. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels for the shipping industry, taking into account key factors such as technological maturity, availability, safety, emissions, and regulations.

Creating a sustainable world requires us to embark on a journey towards a zero emission future, where every step is a commitment to preserve our planet for future generations.
Albert Greenway
Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Expert

Increased Use of Renewable Energy:

Shipping companies are embracing renewable energy sources to power onboard systems and reduce emissions during port operations. Solar panels and wind turbines are being installed on vessels to generate clean energy, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines, and cutting down emissions. Shore power facilities in ports allow ships to connect to the electrical grid, eliminating the need for onboard generators while docked.

Collaboration and Industry Partnerships:

Recognizing that addressing emissions requires collective action, shipping companies, governments, and organizations have formed partnerships and collaborations. These initiatives focus on research and development, sharing best practices, and promoting knowledge transfer. Joint projects aim to develop and deploy innovative technologies, improve infrastructure, and create a supportive regulatory framework to accelerate the industry's transition towards a greener future. The Zero Emission Shipping - Mission Innovation.

To pave the way for a greener future in shipping, the availability of alternative fuels plays a vital role in their widespread adoption. However, this availability is influenced by factors such as port infrastructure, local regulations, and government policies. As the demand for cleaner fuels in shipping rises and environmental regulations become more stringent, efforts are underway to improve the accessibility of these fuels through infrastructure development, collaborations, and investments in production facilities.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure has seen significant growth in recent years, resulting in more LNG bunkering facilities and LNG-powered vessels. Nonetheless, the availability of LNG as a marine fuel can still vary depending on the region. To ensure consistent availability worldwide, there is a need for further development of LNG supply chains and infrastructure. For biofuels, their availability hinges on production capacity and the availability of feedstock. Although biofuels are being produced and utilized in various sectors, their availability as a marine fuel remains limited. Scaling up biofuel production and establishing robust supply chains are imperative to ensure wider availability within the shipping industry.Hydrogen, as a fuel for maritime applications, is still in the early stages of infrastructure development. While some hydrogen vessels have been tested or introduced in the first quarter of last year, the infrastructure required for hydrogen production and distribution needs further advancement.

Ammonia, as a marine fuel, currently faces limitations in availability. The production, storage, and handling infrastructure for ammonia need further development to support its widespread use in the shipping industry.Methanol, on the other hand, is already a commercially available fuel and has been used as a blend with conventional fuels in some ships. However, its availability as a standalone marine fuel can still be limited in certain regions. Bureau Veritas in October 2022 published a White Paper for the Alternative Fuels Outlook. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels for the shipping industry, taking into account key factors such as technological maturity, availability, safety, emissions, and regulations.

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Signal’s technology resolves fundamental problems in energy performance and emissions compliance in an asset-light way

Posted by
Signal Maritime team
|
April 25, 2024

In the realm of shipping, the interplay between consumption efficiency, financial implications, and environmental impact is increasingly crucial. Enhanced consumption efficiency not only contributes to cost savings but also mitigates the environmental footprint. For commercial operators, such as pool operators, implementing real-time energy consumption monitoring systems emerges as a strategic imperative. By closely monitoring energy usage, operators can identify inefficiencies, optimize routes, and adjust operational practices to enhance both financial performance and environmental sustainability. In this landscape, investing in technologies and practices that promote consumption efficiency brings a strategic advantage.

Accurately and dynamically monitoring a vessel's energy consumption and emissions poses a considerable challenge within the shipping industry. While owners and technical managers have the option to install sensors and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices to gather data, there are complexities in achieving real-time monitoring across vast maritime operations. Unlike other industries where monitoring systems can be seamlessly integrated, the maritime environment presents unique challenges due to the remote and dynamic nature of vessel operations. 

Commercial operators rely on data provided by humans, which typically involves manual entries into reporting systems. However, this reliance on manual input introduces the potential for errors and inconsistencies in reporting. There is a pressing need for advancements in technology and data collection methodologies within the maritime sector to enhance the accuracy and reliability of monitoring systems and enable increased efficiency in daily operations. 

Responding to this need, Signal has developed and refined a solution over the years to obtain accurate daily data directly from vessels. The approach involves a 'plug and play' system for processing noon reports and calculating actual emissions, requiring no installation on the vessel or office infrastructure, and can be operational within a single day. 

This streamlined solution is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring a user-friendly format with only essential fields necessary for Captains, Operators, and Performance Analysts to efficiently perform their tasks. Signal's focus extends beyond mere data collection; they aim to enhance data quality through robust validations and comparison with third-party sources such as weather data and Automatic Identification System (AIS) information. By leveraging external data sets and implementing stringent validation measures, Signal's solution offers a comprehensive and reliable means of monitoring energy consumption and emissions including CII rating and EU Allowances, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions for their fleet. 

The demand for accurate and efficient monitoring of vessel energy consumption and emissions extends across the entire shipping industry, making Signal's solution relevant to a wide range of stakeholders; from asset-light operators who charter-in vessels to asset-heavy companies and technical managers seeking noon reports validation for compliance and submission to authorities. Moreover, Signal is transforming their in-house tool into a comprehensive end-to-end product, ensuring seamless integration into existing shipping systems and verifiers. With a major shipping player already onboarded, Signal is rapidly building a robust pipeline to contribute in resolving common challenges among shipping operators.

If you want to reshare this article, please don’t forget to link back to our original article.

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