SEEMP

SPOS Onboard and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)
The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) incorporates best practices for the fuel efficient operation of ships, such as better speed management throughout a ships voyage, for example. Such efficiency measures will significantly reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, CO2 emissions.  

The SEEMP was developed through detailed discussions between member states, and with the advice and assistance of the international shipping industry, through a specialised working group on greenhouse gas emissions convened by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). The working group also discussed measures such as an Energy Efficiency Design Index, which will help to ensure that new ships are built as energy efficient as possible.

The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) was made mandatory for new ships and the
ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships (>400T) at 
MEPC 62 (July 2011) with the adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (resolution MEPC.203(62)), by Parties to MARPOL Annex VI. 

You can read more about these measures in the Report of the Marine Environment Protection Committee on its Fifty-Ninth Session here. The SEEMP, in particular, is set out in detail in annex nineteen of the document.

What is a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan  (SEEMP)?
The SEEMP provides an approach for monitoring ship and fleet efficiency performance over time and forces the responsible persons and entities to consider new technologies and practices when seeking to optimize the performance of the ship (see Table 4 for SEEMP related measures).

2012 Guidelines on Technical and Operational Measures
Further to the adoption of a global energy standard at MEPC 62 (July 2011), MEPC 63 (March 2012) adopted four sets of important guidelines to assist in the implementation of the mandatory regulations on Energy Efficiency for Ships in MARPOL Annex VI:

2012 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), resolution MEPC.213(63);

Some high lights:

Fuel-Efficient Operations
Improved voyage planning

  • 5.2 The optimum route and improved efficiency can be achieved through the careful planning and execution of voyages. Thorough voyage planning needs time, but a number of different software tools are available for planning purposes.
  • 5.3 IMO resolution A.893(21) (25 November 1999) on "Guidelines for voyage planning" provides essential guidance for the ship's crew and voyage planners.


 

Weather routeing

  • 5.4 Weather routeing has a high potential for efficiency savings on specific routes. It is commercially available for all types of ship and for many trade areas. Significant savings can be achieved, but conversely weather routeing may also increase fuel consumption for a given voyage.



Just in time

  • 5.5 Good early communication with the next port should be an aim in order to give maximum notice of berth availability and facilitate the use of optimum speed where port operational procedures support this approach.
  • 5.6 Optimized port operation could involve a change in procedures involving different handling arrangements in ports. Port authorities should be encouraged to maximize efficiency and minimize delay.


Speed optimization

  • 5.7 Speed optimization can produce significant savings. However, optimum speed means the speed at which the fuel used per tonne mile is at a minimum level for that voyage. It does not mean minimum speed; in fact, sailing at less than optimum speed will consume more fuel rather than less. Reference should be made to the engine manufacturer's power/consumption curve and the ship's propeller curve. Possible adverse consequences of slow speed operation may include increased vibration and problems with soot deposits in combustion chambers and exhaust systems. These possible consequences should be taken into account.
  • 5.8 As part of the speed optimization process, due account may need to be taken of the need to coordinate arrival times with the availability of loading/discharge berths, etc. The number of ships engaged in a particular trade route may need to be taken into account when considering speed optimization.
  • 5.9 A gradual increase in speed when leaving a port or estuary whilst keeping the
  • engine load within certain limits may help to reduce fuel consumption.
  • 5.10 It is recognized that under many charter parties the speed of the vessel is

Improved fleet management

  • 5.30 Better utilization of fleet capacity can often be achieved by improvements in fleet planning. For example, it may be possible to avoid or reduce long ballast voyages through improved fleet planning. There is opportunity here for charterers to promote efficiency. This can be closely related to the concept of "just in time" arrivals.
  • 5.31 Efficiency, reliability and maintenance-oriented data sharing within a company can be used to promote best practice among ships within a company and should be actively encouraged.

SPOS Onboard and SEEMP?

SPOS onboard weather and voyage planning is covering several SEEMP related measures. SPOS reduces maintenance costs, wear to the vessel, life time cycle and costs for hub oil by time savings.

With SPOS Onboard the master is able to make a choice for the optimal course but SPOS can do more, especially in coastal areas the master can use SPOS to help in making the decision for the optimal ETD and optimal Speed on a fixed course (RL), taking into account movement of weather circumstances like wind, waves and current. Avoiding bad weather in order to optimize voyage efficiency, C02 emission to air and safety level.



SPOS vs SEEMP:

Please contact us for more information or to make an appointment to talk about implementing SPOS into your Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)

Source: www.shippingandco2.org, www.imo.org