Effect of ice class to vessel fuel consumption based on real-life MRV data

Ice classed ships have specially designed, reinforced hulls and large engines, which may influence open-water fuel efficiency. Ice classification typically requires minimum engine power limit, possibly leading to an over-sized engine for open water operation. Most of the existing studies of energy efficiency of ice classed ships assume that these vessels consume more fuel also in open water conditions than conventional ships. In this work we analysed the EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification database to understand the differences of main engine size, light ship mass, payload capacity and real-life reported and verified annual mean fuel consumption between ice classed ships and those without ice class using statistical methods. Ice classed ships were found to have on average 11% more hull mass, 13% more main engine power and 13% less deadweight capacity than ships without ice class, but some vessel types had inversed results. Also, ice class does not predict increased fuel consumption for all vessel types. In addition, according to the Automatic Identification System data, about 47% of vessels with reported ice class did not sail in ice covered areas during 2018–2022. These findings should open the discussion for more precise relief mechanisms of emission trading systems granted for ice classed vessels.