CalMac ‘on track’ for emissions reduction

As part of the wider ‘Project Ecoship’, CalMac became the first UK ferry company to install fuel management systems across its fleet. Royston’s enginei uses Coriolis or mass flow meters to monitor fuel used for each engine, tracking consumption against GPS data, voyage details and operational mode.

Real time data is processed and relayed to touchscreen monitors in the bridge and engine room, enabling the ship’s master and chief engineer to make adjustments to reduce fuel consumption. CalMac has reported that engine operational adjustments are not affecting journey schedules and timetables.

Drew Collier, operations director, CalMac, said: “We are finding some encouraging results. While it is too early to reveal any kind of scientifically concrete data, the initial figures we are seeing, as well as the anecdotal feedback from the teams on board, are optimistic. At the moment, we are confident that we are on track to achieve [our target] and, importantly, we now have the technology in place to make accurate measurement.”

Caledonian Isles was the first CalMac vessel to have the technology installed seven months ago. If CalMac meets its emissions targets the installation costs of the ten enginei systems will pay for themselves within 12 months.