Methods of Energy Efficiency Improvement by Modernisation of Hydraulic Installations at a Fishing Cutter at the Baltic Sea

Abstract

The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) became mandatory for new ships as well as the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships due to the MEPC 62 (July 2011) along with the adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI by the Parties to the MARPOL Annex VI. This was the first legally binding climate change treaty to be adopted since the Kyoto Protocol. The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), which has been obligatory since 2013, did not to cover fishing cutters but triggered the implementation of energy efficiency audits due to fishing limits, high fuel prices, and free freight market. All the above caused that ship-owners started seeking ways for saving money and keep their business profitable. Apart from energy recovery installations, fishing vessels have been furnished with the latest technologies aimed at the reduction of energy consumption and at making ships greener. A research team of the Maritime University of Szczecin conducted energy efficiency audits on several fishing vessels operated on the Baltic Sea and stated that up to 40% of the energy is used during fishing operations by hydraulic devices installed at the fishing vessels. The paper presents the measurement results of energy consumption in typical operational states based on a selected fishing cutter operating at the Baltic Sea. The paper includes also the recommendations in terms modernization of hydraulic installations and the changes of control methods for devices with hydraulic drive. The calculations are also presented herein and they prove that it is possible to reduce energy consumption by a fishing cutter even by 20% while maintaining the unchanged operating parameters of the hydraulic devices.