Teekay Tankers has signed agreements to equip 25 additional tankers with Yara Marine Technologies’ FuelOpt propulsion optimisation technology.
The order follows the installation and evaluation of the green maritime technologies provider's FuelOpt onboard the Zenith Spirit in 2021, followed by three more vessels in 2022.
The Canada-headquartered tanker operator says it placed the new orders after seeing that the use of FuelOpt on its vessels led towards 3%-5% fuel savings and emissions reductions in 2022.
According to Norway-based Yara Marine Technologies, FuelOpt is compatible with all existing and future fuels. The system automates and executes key operational settings throughout a vessel’s voyage, ensuring maximised fuel savings without compromising operational efficiency.
Crew can control speed, fuel consumption, and engine power through a single interface panel on the bridge. The system adapts propulsive power to real-time environmental conditions and eliminates costly variations in speed and power, leading to fuel savings and emissions reductions.
“Energy saving is a non-negotiable priority for Teekay Tankers, as we remain committed to reducing emissions and streamlining operations across our fleet," said Soumendu Das Roy, technical director at Teekay Tankers.
"FuelOpt has demonstrated tangible savings on our pilot vessels in 2022, which we hope to replicate further in the fleet. We look forward to continue working with Yara Marine Technologies on our journey towards greener shipping.”
FuelOpt can offer support in addressing the requirements for the IMO's year-on-year Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) improvements. The system logs all performance and navigational parameters in the vessel’s performance management and reporting software. This data can also be synchronised with fleet management software to enable easy reporting.
“We are extremely proud to work closely with clients like Teekay Tankers to ensure that they have future-proof and cost-effective solutions for decarbonization," Mikael Laurin, head of vessel optimization at Yara Marine Technologies, said.
"Shipping’s continued success hinges on our ability to address existing challenges, such as the rising costs of fuels and the need to reduce emissions, while including the potential expenses of future fuels in the strategy. Increased fuel efficiency is a practical, tried-and-tested solution that can address these challenges, now and in the future.”
The additional investment in propulsion optimisation is part of Teekay Tankers’ strategy for greater sustainability across its fleet, allowing the company to work proactively towards the IMO's goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.