Energy awareness – Do we need a definition in order to implement it onboard?

Room 235

Energy optimization and the awareness about the issue has become an important topic in the maritime industry. An energy management study from 2015 performed by DNV GL, shows that energy awareness has moved from rank fifteen to be the most important measure to be implemented as a success factor to realize actual savings. However - What exactly is energy awareness, and how can it be defined and implemented? Are Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP), noon reports and decision support software the right tools to raise awareness and improve energy efficiency for all shipping companies. Previous studies show that smaller shipping companies lack resources to analyze, making decisions and implementing energy efficient solutions, which could cause energy efficiency gaps, to the detriment of both the environment and the shipping company. This study focus on energy awareness in minor ships and the results shows that the concept of energy awareness is difficult to handle. The perception of energy awareness could be different between different actors like onshore, offshore, charter or authorities. This different perception at times contributes to alienation between ship and shore instead of cooperation and thereby becoming a barrier to energy efficiency.