Offen Group uses DNV GL’s e-learning course to improve energy efficiency
The three shipping companies of the Offen Group, CPO Container, CPO Tanker and CPO Bulker, have decided to implement DNV GL’s e-learning course “Energy Efficiency on Board” across their entire fleet. The E-learning tool, developed by DNV GL’s Maritime Academy, enables users to identify potential savings in a simple way and to implement them in ship operation.
"As a large modern shipping company, we are always interested in innovative concepts and are constantly working to further extend our high quality standards in all areas," says Dietmar Thiem, Technical Director at CPO Container. "With the use of e-learning, we can achieve an increased awareness on board and are able to identify and implement further energy-saving strategies.”
The fleet of the Offen Group currently comprises 67 container ships, 8 bulk carriers and 26 tankers. More than 700 masters, senior engineers and ship officers are being trained with the e-learning tool and made aware about simple ways to improve energy efficiency by changing crew behaviour and optimizing how equipment is used on board.
The individual modules outline a number of ways to increase energy efficiency looking at resistance, propulsion, main and auxiliary engines. The various modules handle practical and theoretical aspects of on-board operations, such as trim and ballast optimization, potential savings with propeller and rudder, as well as options for better route planning.
In collaboration with the Offen Group, DNV GL’s Maritime Academy developed a customized solution in which the basic modules of the e-learning tool were complemented by the actual business processes and software applications used on board CPO vessels. Thus, daily routines are documented in the course content and can be implemented directly by the crew. Integrating the shipping company's own internal systems into the tool made it more user-friendly and acceptable for the crew.
The course explains in a systematic way how and where the individual measures can be implemented, what impact the benefits of the improved processes have on ship operations and what the potential savings can be.
"Besides the technical background and understanding the concepts, good communication and teamwork are also vital for improved energy efficiency," says Dietmar Thiem. "Therefore we are pleased that both parts are included in the training and that our crew will be not only trained in an optimal manner but also required to function as a team."