The greenhouse gas effect on global warming is a worldwide concern that has compelled many countries and multinational entities to mandate reduced emissions of carbon dioxide, given that human activities are said to release more than 30 billion tons of the heat-trapping gas into the atmosphere every year. The world of international shipping is responding as well. The International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency responsible for safe and secure shipping, is mandating that large cargo ships (tankers, containerships, and freighters) must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by increasing fuel efficiency 30% over the next few years, a development KVH Mobile World has been following. Currently, about 3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions are said to come from large cargo ships, which burn a petroleum sludge called bunker fuel. The IMO expects its mandates will result in average carbon dioxide reductions of 151.5 million tons annually by 2020, 330 million tons annually by 2030.
Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK LINE), one of the largest containership companies in the world, is taking a lead in addressing the greenhouse gas problem with its Innovative Bunker and Idle-time Saving (IBIS) program, an operational approach that provides ships with real-time data so they can adjust their course to save fuel.
Because IBIS depends on fast, reliable broadband connectivity to relay real-time data, NYK recently chose KVH’s award-winning TracPhone V7 satellite communications system and mini-VSAT Broadband service for its containerships.
“NYK is an industry leader that is constantly innovating and improving its shipping and logistics operations with the aim of optimizing safety, economy, and protection of the environment,” says Brent C. Bruun, KVH’s senior vice president of global sales and business development. “Their industry-leading IBIS project, which helps improve the operation of their ships and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, requires delivering real-time weather and sea current forecasts to the ship and automatically sending ship operation data back to shore for ongoing analysis. The improved connectivity provided by our mini-VSAT Broadband service will allow for greater information sharing and collaboration between NYK employees on vessels and shore, increasing both safety and efficiency. It also provides affordable communications for crew members to communicate with their families or use the Internet.”
IBIS is one of many environmental initiatives currently underway by NYK, including the development of NYK Super Eco Ship 2030, a vessel—in concept stage now—that combines solar, wind, and LNG fuel cells to reduce carbon emissions by 70%. NYK also has a corporate Green Policy and a stated goal of contributing to global efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions in half by 2050.
The TracPhone V7 satellite communications antenna systems on NYK containerships use KVH’s global mini-VSAT Broadband service, which is being provided by KVH’s partner, SKY Perfect JSAT, under the OceanBB brand name.
