as2con - Ulysses

Ulysses

ULTRA SLOW SHIPS is an EU FP7 project with the objective to demonstrate, through a combination of ultra slow speeds and complementary technologies, that the efficiency of the world fleet can be increased to a point where the following CO2 targets are met:

Before 2020, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to 1990 levels
Beyond 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to 1990 levels

ULYSSES focuses on bulk carriers and tankers as these types of ships produce 60% of the CO2 from ocean-going vessels. It is more technically challenging to reduce the speed of these ship types as they are already relatively slow speed and therefore it is expected that directional stability and other sea keeping issues will arise. However, the results of the project will be directly transferable to other ship types.

Project aims:

Identify constraints that will need to be addressed at the design stage
Design a ‘medium-term impact’ ship, to be delivered in 2020, capable of providing a fleet that meets the 2020 CO2 target
Develop a financially viable operating profile
Identify further constraints that will need to be addressed
Design a ‘long-term impact’ ship and its operational profile, which are capable of meeting the tight 2050 CO2 target
Identify the policy, economic and logistic changes that will need to be made to make such a design financially viable