By
Michele Witthaus |
A new cost control tool allows lines to make provision for operating costs within emission control areas (ECAs).
The AtoBviaC solution is aimed at helping shipping companies achieve cost effective operation in ECAs, initially around the US coastline. The company’s Port to Port Online version of the BP Shipping Marine Distance Tables offers the user the ability to calculate distances within both SECA (Sulphur Emission Control Area) and the North America ECA (Emission Control Area).
The first stage of sulphur emissions rules will mean that from 1 August 2012, for vessels operating within these areas, the sulphur content of fuel oil used onboard must not exceed 1.00 per cent.
“Our research has shown that it is rarely cost effective or practical to avoid these routes entirely,” said Captain Trevor Hall, Director of AtoBviaC. “It is, however, essential to accurately calculate in advance the impact on vessel operating costs and to identify where a slight adjustment of route will avoid unnecessary incursion into an ECA.”
He added: “We have implemented SECA distance calculations into our distance table matrix from the time the various control areas came into effect, but with only a few weeks to go until implementation of the North American ECA, ship operators need to be aware they are on a countdown to unexpected costs if they do not make the correct provision for the additional fuel costs they will incur.”
Ship operators can make block purchases of distance calculations. Route scanning provides users with distances within the various SECAs and ECAs and within Load Line Zones via marine information map overlays.