03_Energy efficiency

Maritime Advisory as your partner for energy efficiency

Maritime Advisory from DNV is specialized in independent maritime consultancy and advanced engineering services, with a focus on enhancing energy efficiency both in design and operation. Our experienced staff has leading technological expertise across all ship segments and can help ship owners, operators, yards and designers globally to improve fuel efficiency, minimize environmental impact and increase profitability.

When a ship is designed and built, the hull form, installed propulsion and machinery systems will have large impact on the energy consumption of the vessel. In operation, it is essential that the ship is run in a trade with an operation profile suiting its design.

Click to read about ship design optimization


We are experienced in the design of hull and propulsion systems for newbuilds, in addition to providing advice on the installation of energy saving technology in existing ships or retrofits. Aligned with renowned suppliers, we assess the maturity of technology and expected savings, evaluate the payback times for various scenarios, suggest packages for retrofitting and evaluate the outcome of the validation and verification model tests and/or the full-scale trials. It is important to understand that retrofit measures which improve hydrodynamic performance should ideally be undertaken only in combination with engine measures to ensure a suitable light- running margin after conversion and still enable the ship to operate the engine at the lower end of the SFOC (specific fuel oil consumption) curve. Relevant retrofit options are typically hull coatings or air lubrication systems, wake-equalizing ducts, waste heat recovery systems, electrification or wind- assisted propulsion. Adjusting the trim is also a relevant measure for ships in operation, since a vessel’s fuel consumption is significantly impacted by its day-to-day trim condition. Optimum trim is highly desirable.

We are experienced in the design of hull and propulsion systems for newbuilds, in addition to providing advice on the installation of energy saving technology in existing ships or retrofits.

Aligned with renowned suppliers, we assess the maturity of technology and expected savings, evaluate the payback times for various scenarios, suggest packages for retrofitting and evaluate the outcome of the validation and verification model tests and/or the full-scale trials.

It is important to understand that retrofit measures which improve hydrodynamic performance should ideally be undertaken only in combination with engine measures to ensure a suitable light- running margin after conversion and still enable the ship to operate the engine at the lower end of the SFOC (specific fuel oil consumption) curve. Relevant retrofit options are typically hull coatings or air lubrication systems, wake-equalizing ducts, waste heat recovery systems, electrification or wind- assisted propulsion.

Adjusting the trim is also a relevant measure for ships in operation, since a vessel’s fuel consumption is significantly impacted by its day-to-day trim condition. Optimum trim is highly desirable.

Services on ship design optimization

Click to read about performance management, voyage optimization and ship transport system design


An optimized operational profile and performance management can be ensured by using relevant, high-quality data. Our comprehensive access to maritime data sources enables us to collect, analyse and interpret essential data – ensuring the monitoring of performance and allowing us to provide advice on operational measures such as speed reduction. The same information also has the potential to be used for the design of efficient logistics and transport systems. More than 400,000 ships worldwide are equipped with AIS transponders. By analysing and merging different data sources, strategic and economic benefits can be realized. In addition, access to data of sufficient quality can ensure that the installed abatement measures and operational procedures have the desired effect – and hence realize the savings potential.

An optimized operational profile and performance management can be ensured by using relevant, high-quality data. Our comprehensive access to maritime data sources enables us to collect, analyse and interpret essential data – ensuring the monitoring of performance and allowing us to provide advice on operational measures such as speed reduction. The same information also has the potential to be used for the design of efficient logistics and transport systems.

More than 400,000 ships worldwide are equipped with AIS transponders. By analysing and merging different data sources, strategic and economic benefits can be realized. In addition, access to data of sufficient quality can ensure that the installed abatement measures and operational procedures have the desired effect – and hence realize the savings potential.