The burden of environmental regulation and rising bunker costs are driving renewed interest in improved and alternative power sources for ships. Ship Powering Alternatives 2010, a two-day conference being organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), will offer solutions to both the need to achieve lower emissions and gain fuel savings, and will examine the complete range of powering options available to owners and operators.
"The existing, immediate and future options for leaner and cleaner ship power are high on the agendas of owners, operators and charterers, so this new conference is a most welcome addition to our events calendar," says Dr Marcus Jones, IMarEST's Chief Executive. "We are dedicated to the vision of a world where marine resources and activities are sustained, managed, and developed, for the benefit of humanity, and so exploring acceptable options in a forum like this is an important step towards achieving our goal."
Being held at IMarEST Headquarters in Coleman Street in the heart of the City of London, Ship Powering Alternatives 2010, with its theme 'optimising efficiency, achieving regulatory compliance and promoting sustainability' is being chaired by Professor John Carlton, Professor of Marine Engineering, City University London and President-Elect of IMarEST.
"The shipping industry is being forced to examine new and alternative methods of delivering power for ships," he explains. "The next stage will come with alternative fuel sources, perhaps the wider use of LNG as a fuel and hydrogen in marine reciprocating engines. Further down the line come the alternatives of photovoltaic arrays, fuel cells and wind assisted propulsion.
"What of nuclear propulsion?" he asks. "It is an older and more established technology than some of the preceding alternatives. In the last few years the steady increase in the price of fuel oil and the probable introduction of either a carbon-emissions trading scheme or a related tax now presents the possibility that nuclear propulsion might be more competitive.
"The next few years create opportunities for the forward looking owner. Markets and regulations will challenge marine engineers to come up with answers, understanding that any technology, alternative or otherwise, will only be adopted if it makes operational and economic sense."
About the conference
Day One of Ship Powering Alternatives opens with keynote addresses by Andrew Penfold, Director, Ocean Shipping Consultants Ltd and Dr Roger Bentley, Visiting Research Fellow, Department of Cybernetics, The University of Reading who will examine the business and environmental cases for the new technologies and fuels. These keynote addresses will be followed by a session devoted to 'Improving Current Solutions and Future Alternatives' with presentations on Research trends in marine diesel engines; Modifications and research to reduce CO2 from slow speed diesel engines; Biofuels in reciprocating engines; LNG as fuel for ship propulsion; LPG v LNG: The easier and short term solution?; Fishing industry on the way to hydrogen; Photovoltaic arrays: On the way to emission zero; Fuel cells for marine power generation - managing expectations; and Wind propulsion as part of a roadmap to emission free ships.
Day two focuses on 'Nuclear Propulsion', with Rear Admiral Paul Thomas CB FREng HonFNucl, President, The Nuclear Institute giving a Keynote Address entitled 'Nuclear Opoortunity', and presentations include The historical background and current nuclear powered ships; Risk and classification rules; Nuclear technology for civilian shipping; Training for shore and ship personnel; Safety and health physics; Radioactive waste policy; Insurance implications of nuclear propulsion; Legal issues arising from nuclear power.
Networking is a key component part of IMarEST events and there will be networking opportunities for delegates and speakers at the Conference Reception on 20 October as well as at coffee, tea and lunch breaks throughout the event.
"Ship Powering Alternatives is destined to bring together those responsible for choosing the most appropriate, cost effective and regulation compliant methods of delivering ship power with those able to advise about, and supply, these technologies, so the networking opportunities will certainly abound," says Marcus Jones.
Full information on October's conference is available online at www.imarest.org/events. There is a £100 early booking discount available to all who register before 8 October, and preferential rates for IMarEST members and IMarEST Marine Partners. Information is also available from the IMarEST Events Department at events@imarest.org
and +44 (0)20 7382 2655/2636. All IMarEST conferences are eligible for CPD.