We4Sea’s New Big Data Project to Help Cut CO2 Emissions

Dutch ship-monitoring company We4Sea is launching a new project in order to help shipowners increase fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by using big data technology.

Within the project’s framework, We4Sea plans to provide detailed insights on all aspects of shipowners’ operations – technical, logistical and operational, that impact their fuel efficiency. The crucial insights will be provided on a web platform, according to We4Sea.

The company is to monitor 5 ships on every ship joining the project for a six months period at a fixed price. The worst-performing ship will be analysed in detail, with detailed proposals aimed at achieving fuel efficiency and reducing harmful emissions.

“We will not sit and wait to make a difference. We offer our knowledge and experience to increase sustainability in the maritime world. It is our goal to reduce CO₂ emissions with 1 million tons before 2019,” Dan Veen, We4Sea’s CEO, notes.

We4Sea points out that the maritime industry needs to step up in order to increase sustainability in the maritime world.

This is especially important having in mind that the Paris Climate Agreement – the first universal, legally binding climate deal – is to be signed today in New York by the United States, China, and some 120 countries. However, the agreement does not cover the shipping industry, which is said to be accountable for some 3 percent of the global total of CO2 emissions, according to Transport & Environment.

What is more, based on a scientific study published recently by the European Parliament, shipping and aviation could account for almost 40 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions in 2050.

The issue has been in the spotlight for some time now and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is expected to set up a determined contribution system on CO2 reduction for the international shipping sector.

However, during yesterday’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 69) meeting in London, members of the IMO failed to reach a deal on fair share contribution aimed at keeping the increase in temperature below 1.5/2 degrees.