REAL-WORLD OPERATING TESTS

The client, a maritime transport operator in the Venetian Lagoon, aimed to assess the environmental impact of its vessels under actual operating conditions. This need stemmed from a growing desire to comply with European regulations on pollutant emissions and to anticipate future standards in the maritime sector.

Due to the unique characteristics of the Venetian Lagoon—combining heavy maritime traffic, variable currents and tides, and changing weather conditions—the client sought accurate and reliable measurements of the pollutant emissions generated by its vessels in these dynamic conditions.

The objective was twofold: first, to evaluate the environmental impact of operations to develop improvement strategies; and second, to demonstrate compliance with current regulations and prepare for future ones. However, the specific navigation conditions in the lagoon required an innovative and precisely tailored methodological approach.

A TAILOR-MADE ISM (IN SERVICE MONITORING) TESTING CAMPAIGN 

To address this challenge, CRMT deployed an ISM (In Service Monitoring) testing campaign using a PEMS (Portable Emissions Measurement System). The tests were conducted under real-world operating conditions in the Venetian Lagoon, allowing emissions to be measured directly during navigation.

The use of the PEMS made it possible to collect accurate and representative data by taking several specific factors into account:

• Engine Load Variations: Depending on vessel speed and maritime traffic density, engines experience fluctuating loads, directly impacting emissions.

• Influence of Currents and Tides: Natural lagoon-specific conditions, such as strong currents and tide shifts, play a crucial role in engine energy performance.

• Changing Weather Conditions: Variations in temperature, humidity, and pressure affect combustion and, consequently, emissions.

CRMT's intervention followed a rigorous methodology to ensure measurement representativeness. The tests were carried out over a sufficient period to capture a range of operational situations, with in-depth analyses of each identified factor.

DATA TO OPTIMIZE ENERGY PERFORMANCE 

CRMT stood out through its ability to adapt its methodologies to an atypical environment like the Venetian Lagoon. Drawing on its expertise in real-world testing, the CRMT team leveraged experience across multiple domains (road, rail, and now maritime) to deliver a tailor-made approach.

Beyond regulatory compliance, CRMT provided real added value by collecting actionable data to improve the vessels’ energy performance. This ability to turn raw data into concrete operational insights enabled the client to better understand the environmental impact of its activities and identify targeted areas for improvement.

Through this real-world ISM campaign, CRMT continues to demonstrate its capacity to adapt to all types of environments, actively contributing to reducing pollutant emissions in the maritime sector. To discover our expertise in regulatory testing, click here.

Have a similar project? Contact us now to discuss it.