Shipbuilding and new requirements for reduction of environmental impact of ships: New technological challenges and business opportunities

Abstract

The new and increasingly demanding requirements of reducing the environmental impact of all types of ships from all countries and Regulatory Institutions such as the new "Green Policy" of the EU, leads to the development of a series of Regulations/Directives which will immediately affect, both the owner and the builders worldwide.This makes it necessary to introduce modifications in the vessel design in order to fulfil these requirements and, ultimately, improve their exploitation avoiding penalties and/or restrictions. Awareness of some Spanish Owners with these requirements have allowed to the Spanish Shipbuilding to be positioned strategically at the forefront of technology to fulfil these requirements. This work, after a review of those Directives that affect the ship design, focuses on the presentation of the results obtained in two Ro-Ro Vessels. These vessels, by their design and performances, are a “technological reference” in the new scenario of high environmental performance requirements: Noise & Vibrations on board, Noise Radiated to the Harbour and Noise Radiated to the Water.