Change gathers pace – at last

Then, it was seen more as an argument against the wholesale introduction of Diesel engines in ships rather than a call for fuel economy and efficiency.

As we know, more oil was discovered, in large enough quantities to keep up with the ever-growing demand, and the 20-year forecast from those prophets of doom turned into the reality of a century or more. But oil is running out, and with the ‘easy’ oil fields genuinely likely to be exhausted, future supplies will rely more on difficult, deep-water wells that will inevitably raise the cost of extracting this valuable commodity, and hence impact on the cost to the user.

In the 1930s, exhaust emissions were hardly considered. In fact they did not seriously enter the agenda until the 1950s on land, and the 1980s at sea. But now the harmful effects of burning oil provides as big, if not a bigger, driver for fuel economy than the price of oil itself.

At long last the efficient ship, consuming as little fuel and impacting on its environment as little as possible is being taken seriously and is becoming a reality. No longer is it sufficient to tweak the engines to produce fewer emissions of nitrogen, or to change to a heavy fuel with lower sulphur content. More radical changes to ship design, as well as machinery, are needed, as well as re-examination of operational methods and the fuels used.

It has taken a long time to get this far. And the most exciting aspect, from a maritime technology viewpoint, is how shipping is being forced to change from a conservative, slow-moving industry to a rapid pace of change. Two years ago, for example, the exhaust gas scrubber was seen by many as the complete answer. Although scrubbers will certainly have a role to play in the future, attention has now shifted to alternative fuels. Who would have thought, even a year ago, that LNG would be seriously considered for ocean-going oil tankers, not just coastal and short-sea vessels?.

Where might we be next year? Nuclear? Biofuels? Renewables? Who can tell? All we know is that marine engineering is going through an exciting phase.