DNV and RSI launch green fleet renewal study

Classification society DNV and the Responsible Shipping Initiative (RSI) said on Thursday that they have launched a study to lay out the cleanest ways for replacing ageing dry bulk fleets in the Baltic and North Sea areas.

PHOTO: Hannes von Knorring, principal consultant at DNV Maritime and Sebastian Tamm, chairman of RSI. DNV

Members of the RSI, an alliance of Swedish dry bulk charterers, see a strong need for newbuilds running on green fuels to replace the ageing shortsea fleet operating in the Baltic Sea and North Sea dry bulk trade and beyond. Many of the existing vessels have an economic life of just 5-10 more years, DNV and RSI said in a statement.

The study, supported by funding from Swedish traffic administration Trafikverket, will analyse the costs and emissions of two alternative green ship concepts – one which focuses on reducing emissions as much as possible with current technology, and another that aims for zero emissions but requires more collaboration and longer commitments between stakeholders.

“One of the key challenges to the broader uptake of alternative fuels is the uncertainties among shipowners about what the market wants and is willing to pay for over the lifetime of a new vessel,” said Hannes von Knorring, principal consultant at DNV Maritime.

The study will take account of upcoming environmental regulations, including the EU’s Emissions Trading System for shipping.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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