Towards Smarter and More Energy-Efficient Shipping: Optimising ship energy systems through technology, data and human behaviour
The maritime sector faces a major challenge in reducing its energy use and emissions. New fuels, electrification and alternative propulsion technologies will play an important role in the long-term energy transition, but their large-scale implementation takes time. Ships typically remain in service for decades, while retrofitting existing vessels can be technically complex and economically challenging. At the same time, considerable potential remains to improve how existing ship energy systems are operated. This project investigates how technology, data and human behaviour can be combined to improve the energy performance of ships. Rather than focusing exclusively on replacing existing technologies, the project explores how incremental improvements in control systems, equipment, operational practices and decision-making can contribute to lower energy consumption and emissions.
From ship data to better decisions
Modern ships generate increasing amounts of data on parameters such as fuel consumption, engine performance, speed and operating conditions. However, these data are not always accessible or systematically used to improve vessel performance.
The project will investigate which technical, economic, operational and behavioural data are available and assess their quality and usability. These data will subsequently be integrated into a multidimensional model of the ship energy system, combining energy consumption, emissions, maintenance requirements, operator behaviour and economic parameters. The model will make it possible to simulate different optimisation strategies and evaluate their consequences before they are implemented in practice.
The project will also explore relevant technologies such as electrification, battery management, microgrids and peak shaving, and investigate how these technologies can interact with operational practices and human decision-making.
Technology and the human factor
A distinctive feature of the project is that energy efficiency is approached as a socio-technical challenge. Ship performance depends not only on the installed technology but also on how that technology is operated.
By combining technical data with information on operator behaviour and changing operational conditions, the project aims to lay the foundations for decision-support methods that help crews and ship operators make better-informed energy-related decisions. AMA's ship simulator provides an environment in which the effects of technological and behavioural changes can subsequently be investigated under controlled, realistic conditions.
An interdisciplinary collaboration
The project brings together the Antwerp Maritime Academy (AMA), AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp and the University of Antwerp (UAntwerp). Their expertise covers maritime operations, ship energy systems, human behaviour and UX, electrification, cyber-physical systems, sustainability assessment and multidimensional modelling.
AMA provides the maritime and operational expertise, access to existing datasets and stakeholders, and its ship simulator. AP contributes expertise in energy transition, economic feasibility, behavioural aspects and the development of practical benchmarking and valorisation tools. UAntwerp contributes expertise in electrical energy systems and develops the multidimensional model needed to assess alternative optimisation strategies.
Preparing the next step in maritime energy optimisation
This seed project is primarily a preparatory research project. Its objective is to identify the most promising technologies, determine which data are available and sufficiently reliable, establish the modelling framework, and engage maritime stakeholders. These building blocks will be used to prepare a larger collaborative research project focused on energy optimisation and electrification in shipping.
The longer-term ambition is to transform ship data into actionable information that supports lower energy consumption, reduced emissions and economically realistic operational improvements, while recognising the essential role of the crew in the transition towards more sustainable shipping.
Project partners: Antwerp Maritime Academy (AMA) – AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp – University of Antwerp (UAntwerp)
Funding: AUHA Seed Funding for Research Partnerships
Research domains: Ship Energy Systems · Energy Efficiency · Human Behaviour · Data-driven Decision Support · Electrification · Sustainable Shipping
Follow-up: Preparation of a larger cSBO or ICON research proposal in cooperation with the maritime sector.