STAVANGER, Norway, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Reductions in the average speed of cargo vessels and alternative fuel options result in a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, Norway's Statoil said.
Ellen Norlund, the project manager for Green Logistics in Statoil, said moving their vessels at 12 knots rather than their top speed of 15 knots could cut emissions by more than 6 tons per trip.
"We work a lot to improve our route planning, which is necessary in order to make our transport as energy efficient as possible," she said.
Statoil said that 90 percent of its emissions come from its cargo vessels, noting its speed-reduction strategy was enforced across its fleet of 20 supply ships.
Apart from speed, the company said it is looking to liquefied natural gas as an alternative fuel source. Norlund said that option would eliminate emissions of sulfur and particulates completely.
"We would like to charter more vessels that have a high environmental profile," she said.
Three of its supply vessels are powered by LNG. The company said a fourth vessel is under construction.
