Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Sembcorp Marine, University of Glasgow and University of Glasgow Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate and develop new hull designs for large ocean-going vessels and make them more environmentally friendly.
Under the three-year MoU, A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Sembcorp Marine, University of Glasgow and UGS will use computational modelling and visualisation technologies to design vessels with improved hydrodynamics for better fuel efficiency.
In addition, they will collaborate and innovate on features to reduce harmful exhaust emissions and discharges by enhancing the vessel’s scrubber and ballast treatment systems.Currently, maritime transport carries about 90 percent of all international trade and accounts for three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Under this research collaboration, Sembcorp Marine and IHPC will analyse and improve gas abatement technology, using an enhanced scrubber design to address the emission of harmful gases like sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrous oxides (NOx), particulate matter and greenhouse gases, in particular CO2, from the ship’s heavy fossil fuel burning combustion engines. Such designs and technology are also needed to meet the International Maritime Organization’s new 2015 standards on ship-related air pollutants and marine environmental issues.
”IHPC acts as a catalyst that translates research into practical applications. By harnessing the power of computational modelling and simulations, we help shipbuilders optimise design to improve efficiency and environmental sustainability of large commercial vessels. This can significantly impact the way ships are built and accelerate the advancement of more fuel-efficient and greener vessels,” said Prof Alfred Huan, Executive Director of A*STAR’s IHPC.
Beyond the current areas of focus, the three organisations hope to expand the scope of the collaboration to create a more comprehensive package of solutions for more efficient ocean-going vessels. The partners are also looking at the possibility of a joint laboratory to advance.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.