Clean technologies can offer ship owners significant improvements in operational and environmental efficiencies and contribute to the sustainability of their fleets. However, in a traditional industry still very much based on conservative values, making clean technologies marketable to charterers and ship owners is a significant challenge. The technologies must demonstrate a proven ability to deliver tangible results, backed up by genuinely credible data obtained through a rigorous and transparent trial process. It is only with this foundation that manufacturers can raise themselves above the conservative parapet to increase uptake and drive sustainability within the industry. Bringing new technologies to market within the shipping industry inevitably requires a significant period of R&O followed by a process of tank testing - where applicable - and sea trials. To ensure success, there is no room for cutting corners. Problems arise when a largely sceptical industry fails to warm to the concept of taking a particular technology on-board at a cost, without proven efficiency savings based on detailed and clear data. When this happens, not only does the manufacturer fail to sell their own technology, they also damage the reputation of all manufacturers, and in particular those who have chosen rigour and hard graft as the preferred route to market.
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