A Big Step Towards Environmental Friendly Illumination
Glamox, a renowned lighting solutions enterprise, has recently bagged an impressive contract from Norway’s premier marine seismic survey firm, PGS. This collaboration rests on ambitious terms—retrofitting eight of PGS’s seismic data acquisition vessels, with marine LED lighting. It is the first stage in an extensive retrofit operation, replacing some 2500 marine-certified LED light fixtures in both external and internal areas of these eight vessels, previously lit by fluorescent tube lights.
PGS’s strategic move towards energy-efficient LED lighting springs from their intention to align with the evolving demands of emission reduction regulations, their established sustainability targets, as well as a global move towards green energy.
A Global Initiative Evokes Worldwide Change
The vessels pegged for this retrofit are spread across the globe, with names like Ramform Vanguard, Atlas, Titan, Hyperion, Tethys, Victory, Sovereign, and PGS Apollo standing at the forefront of this green transition. Luminary placement spans across the deck, including indoor spaces like the bridge, mess halls, private quarters, corridors, gangways, and stairwells among others. Moreover, exterior applications encompass emergency and floodlights.
Resilience Amid Stiff Conditions
The selected luminaires aren’t just energy-efficient, they come with marine certifications, engineered to weather the roughest of marine conditions, a testament to Glamox’s commitment to quality and durability, besides eco-friendliness.
Fueling the Journey Towards Sustainable Maritime Practices
According to Olaf Brunstad, VP Fleet Management at PGS, the luminary retrofit is expected to result in a whopping 60% reduction in energy consumption. Projections indicate that the retrofit pilot phase will continue until 2025, replacing each vessel’s lighting system with new, efficient fixtures, ultimately contributing to the company’s vision of achieving a 75% reduction in emissions and a Net Zero carbon footprint by 2050.
The Larger Maritime Picture
Astrid Simonsen Joos, Group CEO of Glamox, emphasises how efficient lighting not only reduces a vessel’s carbon footprint but also underlines an owner’s commitment to sustainable practices. This is becoming increasingly relevant with the heavy focus on emission reduction by the International Maritime Organization and the EU phasing out fluorescent lighting due to its hazardous constituents.
The International Maritime Organization has charted out a vision for Net Zero emissions from shipping by 2050, alongside a reduction of GHG emissions by 70 to 80 percent by 2040, in comparison to 2008 levels. Moreover, starting January 2023, all ships are mandated to deduce their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index to track their energy efficiency and begin collecting data for annual operational carbon intensity and their CII rating.
Lighting The Path For The Future
The above directives, coupled with the EU’s restrictions on hazardous substances, add impetus to the industry-wide shift to LED lighting. The LED retrofits in consideration will be operationalized during routine vessel operations, with the retrofit completion anticipated by 2025, shedding light on a sustainable path for the maritime industry.
