Technical Section - 33 MILLION EUROS FOR CLEANER SHIP ENGINES

Maritime traffic is on the rise. But there is still room for improvement for what is already the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly form of worldwide transport. In response to this, 40 organisations in 10 European countries launched the Hercules research project aiming at improving engines in terms of efficiency and emissions.

Just about all ships are equipped with diesel engines that use cheap fuels that emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur. However the refining facilities required for the use of a cleaner fuel do not exist. Therefore the most practical method to reduce emissions is to reduce the amount of fuel being burnt. The goals for next phase of the project are set at the reduction of fuel consumption by 3% and a 30% reduction of nitrogen oxide emission by 2011.

The project has even brought together the two world leaders in the shipping market, MAN Diesel and Wärtsilä, who together hold 85-90% of the world market. The old rivals have teamed up in an effort to subdue the growing Asian market.