NEW research shows that virtual fuel meters can help the shipping industry to reduce emissions and its fuel consumption, reports London's Vessel Performance Optimisation.

The research was carried out by Fredrik Ahlgren, doctor of maritime sciences at Kalmar maritime academy at Sweden's Linnaeus University.



Dr Ahlgren combined data from ships' engines and machines when operating and used machine learning to create virtual fuel meters. These show consumption in real-time without having to install physical fuel meters, noted VPO Global.



'The virtual fuel meters can help crews bring their ships forward in a more energy-efficient way. Thereby also reducing emissions of hazardous substances like greenhouse gases and other pollutants,' he said.



Waste heat in cooling water and exhaust fumes can also be better utilised in existing and new equipment on board ships,' he said.


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