The study, titled Operational Sense Making of Marine Propulsion Systems in Energy Efficiency Driven Shipping, appears in Formosa Journal of Science and Technology, Vol. 5, No. 2 (2026), and is accessible via https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i2.3.
Why This Research Matters
International shipping accounts for roughly 2–3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced regulations such as the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), shifting attention from ship design alone to real-world operational performance.
In response, engineers have developed hybrid propulsion systems, optimized propellers, digital twin monitoring, and data-driven energy management systems. Yet fuel savings achieved in practice often fall short of technical projections. Ships with similar specifications can show markedly different energy performance.
Pierre Marcello Lopulalan, a maritime engineering scholar at Politeknik Pelayaran Banten, argues that this gap stems from how crews interpret and manage propulsion systems under dynamic conditions. His research positions operational decision-making as central to energy efficiency.
How the Study Was Conducted
The study used a qualitative case study design focusing on commercial vessels and their main propulsion systems. Lopulalan collected data through:
- Direct operational observations in engine rooms
- Semi-structured interviews with experienced engine officers
- Analysis of engine logbooks and fuel consumption records
Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Each had at least five years of operational experience and was directly involved in engine load management, speed adjustments, and energy-related decisions.
Instead of measuring efficiency through purely technical metrics, the study examined how operators interpret engine rotation (RPM), load levels, temperature, sea conditions, and schedule pressures simultaneously. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns in decision-making.
Key Findings
The research identifies four interrelated themes that explain how operational sense making improves fuel efficiency:
1. Contextual Interpretation of Engine Load
Engine parameters are not treated as isolated numbers. Operators interpret RPM, load, and fuel consumption in relation to:
- Wave height and sea state
- Ocean currents
- Vessel stability
- Schedule demands
The study shows that identical engine loads can produce significantly different fuel consumption depending on sea conditions. In rough seas, forcing speed increases can push the engine into a “wasteful zone.”
One engine room head explained:
“If we only follow the numbers on the panel, we often do not find efficiency. The important thing is to read the machine’s response to sea conditions.”
This contextual awareness helps crews maintain what they describe as a “safe and efficient working zone.”
2. Adaptive Decision-Making
Operators frequently adjust speed targets to balance safety, efficiency, and reliability.
Instead of rigidly maintaining maximum speed, crews may slightly reduce speed during heavy currents to stabilize engine combustion and reduce fuel spikes.
Fuel log comparisons show that such situational adjustments can lower daily fuel consumption by approximately 5–10 percent compared with speed-target-only strategies.
3. Experience and Tacit Knowledge
Long-term experience shapes energy-efficient behavior.
Senior operators often anticipate inefficiencies before alarms activate. They detect subtle changes in vibration, sound, or combustion stability that are not immediately visible in digital dashboards.
A senior operator noted:
“Every ship has a character. After a long time here, we know when the machine starts to be inefficient, even before the alarms or graphs change.”
This tacit knowledge complements digital systems rather than replacing them.
4. Data Overload Challenges
Modern propulsion systems generate vast streams of performance data. While this enables detailed monitoring, it also introduces cognitive strain.
Operators report that the challenge is no longer a lack of information, but selecting which data are truly relevant for quick operational decisions.
Without clear interface design and training, information overload can undermine energy-saving efforts.
Implications for the Shipping Industry
The findings have direct implications for maritime policy, ship management companies, and training institutions.
For Shipping Companies
- Invest not only in hardware upgrades but also in crew training focused on interpretive skills.
- Encourage adaptive operational cultures rather than rigid speed compliance.
For Maritime Regulators
- Recognize human decision-making as part of compliance frameworks tied to EEXI and CII.
- Support guidelines that integrate socio-technical perspectives.
For Maritime Education
- Expand curricula to include operational sense making and adaptive decision strategies.
- Simulate dynamic sea conditions to train contextual interpretation skills.
For Technology Developers
- Design monitoring interfaces that prioritize cognitive clarity.
- Reduce information overload through intelligent data filtering.
According to Pierre Marcello Lopulalan of Politeknik Pelayaran Banten, energy efficiency is a socio-technical achievement. The study concludes that “integrating human, technological, and operational contexts is essential for improving energy efficiency and advancing sustainable ship propulsion management.”
A Broader Shift in Maritime Thinking
The research reframes energy efficiency as a dynamic interaction between people and machines. Advanced propulsion systems alone cannot guarantee emissions reductions. The effectiveness of these systems depends on how crews interpret complex operational realities.
As digitalization and automation expand across the shipping sector, Lopulalan’s findings underscore a key insight: human judgment remains central to sustainability outcomes.
In an era defined by decarbonization targets and regulatory scrutiny, the study offers a clear message. Energy-efficient shipping is not achieved solely in design laboratories. It is achieved daily in engine rooms, where experienced operators translate data into decisions.
Author Profile
Pierre Marcello Lopulalan holds expertise in maritime engineering and shipping operations and is affiliated with Politeknik Pelayaran Banten, Indonesia. His research focuses on marine propulsion systems, energy efficiency in shipping, maritime energy management, and human factors in complex socio-technical systems.
Source
URL : https://journalfjst.my.id/index.php/fjst
0 Komentar