How Liner Agency Software Helps in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emission

About 5% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from merchant vessels. As the volume of maritime trade continues to grow rapidly each year, this figure is expected to rise in the following years. It is not surprising therefore that the shipping industry is under a lot of pressure from governments and environmental groups to take steps to reduce carbon dioxide emission from their ports and vessels. One way the shipping industry responds to these pressures is by adopting the concept of green or clean shipping which involves improving energy efficiency through use of marine software solutions and other shipping technologies.

Efficiency in shipping can be achieved in many ways. For some it can be as simple as switching to a different power source such as biofuel and nuclear power. Other measures implemented in the past few years include use of more efficient engines, propellers, and propulsion systems, reducing vessel speed, re-designing vessels to improve hydrodynamics, and installing better navigation tools. All of these measures have worked so far, but still there are so many improvements left to be made.

So, what is the role of shipping company software in carbon dioxide emission reduction?

As it appears, the above-mentioned measures are mainly technical and operational in nature – not directly related to shipping software. However, operators can make more informed decisions when implementing these measures if they have reliable liner shipping software to support the technical and operational components of their logistics process.

For example, in managing vessel speed, vessel operators must take into account several factors including load, voyage distance, arrival schedule, and external factors such as weather and sea conditions. Shipping companies can generate these data by integrating voyage calculation software into their shipping process. Using this software, vessel operators can determine the right timing to reduce (or increase) vessel speed to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions while ensuring that vessels arrive at their destination on time.

Another way liner agency software helps reduce emission is by streamlining communication systems between ports and vessels. Studies found that while most emissions happen during navigation in the vast expanse of the ocean, a significant amount of emission is produced while ships are moored in ports. While berthed in these ports liner vessels usually leave their primary engines idled to generate electricity to support onboard systems while loading and discharging cargo. Emissions from these activities account for about 5% of total emissions from navigation activities.

Considering the amount of time container vessels spend moored in ports, and the proximity of these ports to populated areas, there is reason for everyone involved to worry about health and environmental risks coming from emissions from shipping activities in and around ports. Integrated shipping software streamlines communication between ports and vessels to facilitate forecasting of incoming vessels and ensure that vessels move in and out with minimal obstruction. Port operators can then carry out plans to ensure a smooth flow of traffic especially in busy harbors and avoid port congestion. This helps reduce the time liner vessels spend berthed and likewise the amount of emission they produce around the area.