ECDIS Use for GHG Reduction

The ECDIS main advantage over the traditional paper plot method of getting from A to B is that it is capable of accurately plotting and monitoring the ships position in real time to ensure that the ship follows the optimum course to the destination. An ECDIS fitted to the ship has the ability to be linked to an advanced automatic pilotage system called a track pilot that can improve the vessels ability to keep on track and alter course at just the right time to minimize the distance travelled this will ensure that the ship take the minimum distance between the departure and destination port, thus reducing GHG emissions. An ECDIS can give a quick method of calculating estimated time of arrivals (ETAs) at the port of arrival taking into account the current position of the ship, the distance to go and the tidal rates and directions without doing a complicated calculation. This information gives the officer of the watch the information to accurately adjust the speed of the vessel so that it arrives at the pilot station or start of the pilotage passage at exactly the right time when on coastal passages or approaching the port taking into account the height of tide for entry or any other environmental factors. This tool can also be used when slow streaming on ocean passages to adjust the speed for better fuel efficiency and more convenient time of arrival but as mentioned in previous section on shipping law any reduction of speed to reduce fuel consumption when on charter should be verified. The ECDIS has the potential to improve voyage planning and fuel efficiency of a vessel on an ocean passage when the ship is operating at her full-service speed (MariEMS 2017).