AIS data suggests that ships are not slowing down when switching to more expensive fuels

Researchers from UCL-Energy and UCL Research Software Development Group have published a paper, Investigating shipping behaviour in Emission Control Areas: A visual approach to data analysis', examining the effects on ship speeds as a result of MARPOL regulations for emission control areas (ECA's).

The technical paper reports on impacts to shipping behaviour in response to these regulatory changes. In particular, it finds that vessels sailing off the North American coast do not noticeably adjust vessel speeds in response to the introduction of the North American emission control area (ECA). The paper describes in detail the individual steps to achieve maximum transparency of the results. The full paper was submitted to the Shipping in Changing Climates Conference 2015.

The results were also published in the Maritime Professional, pages 58-60

Full paper

For more information contact Julia Schaumeier