Approach of using a system of evaluation indicators in determining the efficiency of ships in the Danube shipping

Abstract

In modern conditions, there is an active interest in continuing research to reduce harmful emissions of marine engine exhaust gases into the atmosphere and prepare ships for the use of technologies with zero level of these emissions. It is known that the European Green Deal concept announced by the European Union is aimed not only at the modernization of the inland vessels, and coordinated qualitative change in its composition, but within this framework also at the large-scale implementation of the energy transition as the most effective way to achieve zero emissions into the atmosphere. At the same time, environmental aspects and issues of energy efficiency are considered as a complex task of transition to energy efficient eco-navigation. To date, for the European inland navigation participants, the stages of reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere are clearly defined and regulated with established numerical standard (reference) values for each of the components (CO, HC, NOx, PM). As for energy efficiency, discussions are still ongoing at the international level about the advisability of introducing criteria according to the principle established by the International Maritime Organization for ships based on the specific mass of harmful emissions (in terms of CO2) per unit of transport work. At the same time, there is an understanding of the specifics of navigation conditions and technologies for transporting goods, which makes us return to comparing energy efficiency and economy indicators. The team of authors made an attempt to find and offer the most comprehensive approach to assessing the energy efficiency and economy of the inland navigation vessels operation, in particular for Danube vessels, with the maximum possible consideration of the features of their operation. An integrated approach to the use of estimated indicators of the efficiency of the existing pushers with heavy convoys allows to achieve an increase in the energy efficiency of the operation of the existing fleet, as well as lead to an improvement in environmental indicators.