Repair instead of replace – It’s sustainable, profitable, and fast.

Investigating the emission savings potential below the waterline.

Our supplier, Wencon – a Danish company specialized in epoxy products for rebuilding and protection – set out to investigate the carbon footprint, using their Epoxy products to refurbish and protect an end-of-life Rudderstock, compared to replacing with a new. The results are significant savings on carbon emissions, time and costs.

The maritime industry is under pressure from both local governments, the UN and their customers to think sustainable solutions into their operation. The ambition from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Many efforts have already been initiated to reduce the CO2 Emissions through cleaner fuels, hull improvements and other innovative solutions.

So far, the gaze has been set on the smoking ship funnels, and the so-called direct emissions from vessels. But there is an un-tapped potential for CO2 reductions just below the waterline. Research shows, that there is an enormous savings potential, in in-direct emissions.  When choosing to remanufacture instead of replacing with new, there is a potential of CO2 savings up to 90%.

Comparing with business-as-usual

To evaluate the carbon footprint of a Wencon solution, a specific part is chosen at the end of its life cycle. A lifecycle assessment (LCA) tool was chosen to compare a refurbishment, where the part is put it back into its first life-cycle, with a business-as-usual scenario, where the part, following a linear process, is replaced with a new. The LCA is completed by ReFlow Maritime, specialized in maritime sustainability, and completed under ISO 14040 standards.

Repair instead of replace is: Sustainable, profitable, and fast

The financial savings and the time saved are considerable factors to take into account. On the environmental bottom line, this repair and life extension of the rudderstock gave a total of 87,2% CO2 EQ savings.

It just makes good sense, if you want to save money, time and care about the environment.

Read the whole story and more about the case here.