Operation in Congested Routes

When operating in areas of high traffic density, it may be necessary to deviate substantially from the intended track by an alteration of course to comply with the collision regulations. There may also be a need to slacken speed, stop or reverse the means of propulsion. In cases such as this, any considerations to reduce CO2 emissions are outweighed by an international obligation to comply with the international regulations for the prevention of collision at sea. It is very difficult to include such requirements in any GHG reduction plan. Ships are required to proceed at a safe speed in restricted visibility waters. This will require the master to reduce the speed of the vessel and if necessary stop the vessel until all danger of a collision is over. The international regulations for prevention of collision at sea require all ships to comply with its regulations. It may be necessary to ignore energy saving measures when operating in such areas and again navigational safety and good seamanship must always take priority. Ships may operate in an area of restricted visibility for several days which may require them to reduce speed significantly or even wait with subsequent need for over steaming that overall will result is a significant increase in fuel consumption but yet again navigational safety must take priority. The main questions answered is weather with e-navigation systems and ECDIS and weather routing information, such areas of operations that lead to significant increase in fuel consumption could be avoided? These are certainly issues that may be tackled once the relevant data are mature and e-navigation is fully in place (MariEMS 2017).