Title: The link between economy and environment in the post-crisis era: lessons learned from slow steaming

Authors: Christos A. Kontovas; Harilaos N. Psaraftis

Addresses: Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechneiou 9, GR 157 43, Zografou, Greece. ' Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechneiou 9, GR 157 43, Zografou, Greece

Abstract: The crisis in shipping during the last years was synonymous with low demand for transport, low freight rates and high bunker prices. Sailing at speeds lower than the design speed reduces total fuel consumption resulting in bunker cost savings. Therefore, during the crisis slow steaming has been extensively exercised and some modern vessels were operating at half of their design speed. Given that fuel costs and emissions are directly proportional to one another (both being directly proportional to fuel used), it appears that reducing both could be a straightforward way towards a 'win-win' solution. Thus, this paper discusses the lessons learned by slow steaming providing the link between economy and the environment which is fundamental towards sustainability in shipping.

Keywords: slow steaming; sustainability; economy; environment; shipping; economic crisis; fuel consumption; bunker cost savings; low speeds; vessel speeds; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDSRM.2011.046159

International Journal of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management, 2011 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.311 - 326

Published online: 30 Dec 2014 *

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