ABSTRACT

The Maritime sector is a comprehensive branch of industry with its numerous fields of application and various operation processes. Because approximately 90% of world trade is via maritime trade, it plays an indispensable role on world trade network. Although the great capacity that maritime trading system can manage this high trade, the success of the system is strongly bound to some factors such as absolute punctuality, safety and cooperation of shareholders. Speed optimization, which has impacts on fuel consumption, flue gas emissions and general operation costs, is a multidimensional issue.

The speed of a ship is optimized during design stage; however, in some cases, the designed speed may not be the optimal speed due to the time constraints. Although it is well known that speed reduction is an important way to reduce CO2 emissions, this method has some constraints as well.

Speed optimization brings some uncertainties besides its remarkable benefits. Although it can be accepted as an important way to reduce emissions, it must be updated for every voyage and condition.