Seafarers are BW Epic Kosan’s frontline ambassadors. Their actions reflect our corporate priorities and showcase what we are doing to protect the environment and reduce our impact from operations. Some examples of our initiatives include the following:
- Reduce liquid waste and volume of garbage: Vessels are fitted with heating coils in the waste oil settling tank. This facilitates the evaporation of water content from liquid sludge waste, reducing the sludge content stored onboard. Garbage compactors are also being installed to reduce volume.
- Reduce single-use plastics: In many of our vessels, reverse osmosis (RO) plants and RO-based filtration units are installed to provide potable water for crew, to reduce the need for bottled water.
- Garbage disposal and recycling procedure: Each vessel has a Garbage Management Plan onboard and seafarers are trained to ensure its effective implementation. The plan includes guidelines on waste segregation, use of recycling equipment and final disposal. The Plan complies with international regulations and best practices in waste management.
- Phased introduction of LED lighting: During drydockings, fluorescent lamp tubes are replaced with more energy-efficient LED lighting.
- Change refrigerants used: We use hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants which has lower global warming potential (GWP) in our reliquefaction plants.
Other practical efforts include encouraging vessels to return dunnage and packaging materials to suppliers when receiving victuals; and fitting vessels with Denba systems (technology that suppresses bacteria) to increase the shelf life of fresh provisions and thus reducing wastage.
Beyond Oceans, Embracing Sustainability
As a company we ensure compliance with all environment-related regulations, such as ballast water and IHM regulations. Beyond compliance, we invest in our fleet to improve voyage efficiencies and therefore reduced emissions. Vessels are coated with silicon based premium fouling release paints during routine drydocking, and ultrasonic transducers are also installed to keep propellers clean. These efforts reduce the rate of fouling and help improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions to air.
(Above 4th from left: Commercial Director Thomas Wøidemann represents BW Epic Kosan at a ceremony commemorating a milestone - achieving DNV Class Approval in Principle for an ammonia-powered gas vessel.)
BW Epic Kosan is also investing in technology that can enhance vessel performance, as well as new propulsion methods. We are involved in a project to use graphene-based propeller coatings to further reduce biofouling impact and noise emissions. We are also part of The Nordic Green Ammonia Powered Ships (NoGAPS) project, which will pave the way for ammonia-powered vessels. BW Epic Kosan will be the vessel owner, and together with other project stakeholders, collaborate to establish the infrastructure, operational and business models for ammonia-powered shipping in the Nordic region.
To all seafarers, and our seafarers especially, Happy Day of the Seafarer!