Description

The requirement of eco-friendly ships for future needs is increasing day by day to reduce the fuel consumption. The present scenario of fuel prices has forced the ship owners to reduce the fuel consumption in their ships. Newly built ships are designed for service conditions other than the traditional method of designing for one speed condition. Reduction of fuel consumption for existing ships can either be done by improving the ship performance based on performance monitoring or through retro-fitting of the hull or adding energy saving devices. 1.2 Scope &Objective To carry out a detailed study of fuel economy on ocean going ships by conservation measures and reduction of fuel consumption by optimal ship design with aid of the followings a) Fitting Kites as a propulsion device b) Introducing tunnel thrusters in ship c) Sail Assistance for propulsion d) Reducing aerodynamic resistance e) Weight saving technologies f) Using bio films to reduce bio fouling g) Hull resistance reduction methods 1.3 Present fuel scenario In the last five years the transport industry has experienced a five to eight fold increase in the price of fuel for marine and inland shipping (i.e. as a result of a price increase in crude oil from $20 to $140 per barrel). This causes a major "dislocation" for industry that may significantly impact the current distribution pattern of goods and services. In the year 2000 fuel represented only 20 percent of transport operating costs, recently at $140 per barrel it represents over 50 percent and were the oil price to rise to $200 a barrel, it would be over 70 percent of operating cost. Transport prices have risen by nearly 100 percent between 2002 and 2008, and could increase by almost another 300 percent if oil prices increase to $200 per barrel. A one-dollar rise in world oil price leads to a 1 percent rise in trade transport costs. In terms of the marine and inland transport movement of a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Columbus, Ohio, the total transport cost was $3,000 when oil prices were $20 per barrel in the year 2000. Today at $140 per barrel, the cost is $8,000, and should oil prices rise to $200 per barrel transport cost would rise to $15,000 per FEU (Forty equivalent units