Houlder reports that it has secured funding from Innovate UK’s Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund to expand the modelling capabilities of its HOME optimisation environment.
The project will develop new modules enabling shipowners to assess the financial and emissions impact of combining energy saving devices with alternative fuels and operational profiles.
The tools will allow users to evaluate technologies against regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS.
Houlder will validate the models using data from three vessels, including contributions from Siem Shipping. The analysis will cover technologies such as wind-assisted propulsion, air lubrication, hull coatings, propeller optimisation and alternative fuels, quantifying CO₂ reductions, operating cost impacts and return on investment.
“Whether for a newbuild or a retro fit, shipowners will frequently make decisions about which energy savings devices to install on their vessels without a clear understanding of how the technology will perform once it is installed on the vessel and operating at sea,” said Iebum Shin, Data Analytics Lead at Houlder.
“The project will help shipowners move from understanding which devices will work best, to understanding the returns they can expect and making investment decisions accordingly.”
