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The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the industry forum, Intertanko, recently launched the concept of Virtual Arrival in Brussels in the presence of Siim Kallas, EU Commissioner for Transport, and Mary Veronica Tovsak Pleterski, Director of the European and International Carbon Markets DG Climate Change with the EU Commission.
Shipping industry launches "Virtual Arrival" to save fuel, cut emissions
Several international maritime associations have launched a system to reduce shipping emissions by moderating the speed at which ships arrive to a port when a delay is envisaged. The system known as "Virtual Arrival" has been developed with the support of the European Union (EU) and aims to reduce emissions by 40% in 2050.
In the past, shipping operators have always taken a 'hurry up and wait' approach, whereby vessels would go full steam ahead to meet a pre-arranged schedule, which often resulted in vessels arriving early and having to moor up at port to wait for berthing slots.
Just-in-time arrivals
The Virtual Arrival process, however, analyses weather patterns and uses algorithms to calculate and agree a notional vessel arrival time, so that ships arrive 'just in time'. It involves a system that connects ships with their port of arrival enabling them to be slowed down when there is a delay to ensure they do not arrive before their allotted slot. This new approach reduces bunker fuel consumption and emissions, while easing congestion and enhancing safety.
Furthermore, waiting time compensation, or what is known as 'demurrage', is calculated as if the vessel had arrived at the originally stipulated time, hence the name Virtual Arrival. After the voyage, any savings in bunker costs or carbon credits are calculated and shared between the counterparties. Aside from the cost savings, Virtual Arrival could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by millions of tonnes if adopted widely.
Complete Story at:
http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/energias/renovables/index/pag/energy_saving/colleft/colright/energy_saving/tip/articulo/pagid/16330/botid/52/
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