Shaft Torque Meters: Driving sustainability in maritime

As a significant contributor to global emissions, shipping faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, with bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) setting ambitious decarbonization targets. Which positions the balancing of operational efficiency with growing environmental responsibilities as an essential aspect of owning and operating ships in this day and age.

Shaft Torque Meters (STM) like those developed by Light Structures’ subsidiary GME play a crucial role in addressing this challenge. By providing real-time data on torque, RPM, and propulsion power, GME’s STMs enable ship operators to fine-tune vessel performance. This results in up to 5% fuel savings – a small number with big implications when scaled across fleets.

Fuel savings translate directly to lower CO2 emissions, helping shipowners to operate with a reduced envrionmental impact, and meet regulatory requirements while cutting costs. GME’s commitment to innovation ensures its STM systems integrate seamlessly with broader Vessel Performance Systems, which are key to sustainable shipping operations.

“Our Shaft Torque Meters provide accurate, real-time data for Vessel Performance Systems, helping them to make informed decisions about optimizing operations,” said Jostein Kim, Director of GME. “By enabling more efficient fuel use and supporting compliance with environmental regulations, we are helping to build a greener future for the maritime industry. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, and it drives our commitment to innovation.”

The importance of STM systems and other operational performance enhancing technology cannot be overstated. Shipping accounts for around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure that needs urgent attention as trade volumes grow. Solutions like GME’s STMs are helping the maritime industry to tackle business and sustainability challenges head-on, aligning economic and environmental goals.

GME’s dedication to sustainability demonstrates that targeted engineering solutions are reshaping the future of shipping. Together with Light Structures, GME is proving that operational efficiency and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive but mutually beneficial to the maritime sector, and beyond.