A ship can operate in hot climates where the windows on the vessel are exposed to high levels of the sun’s rays, which creates various problems for the passengers and crew.
The sun emits short-wave energy that can pass through glass. When these waves strike the various surfaces in a bridge or cabin, they are absorbed and converted into long-wave radiation. Heat is generated as a by-product of this process and because glass does not allow long-wave radiation to pass back through it into the atmosphere, heat remains in the enclosed space. With a prolonged build up of long-wave radiation, the temperature continues to rise in the room to uncomfortable levels which is made even worse when the outside temperature is also high.
This creates a greater need for the ship’s air-conditioning units which, when cooling, produce a considerable amount of CO2 gas that is harmful to the ozone layer. Air-conditioning systems burn additional fuel in order to be powered, which increases operating costs and also raises the output of exhaust emissions from engines which again are harmful to the atmosphere. Future predictions in climate change suggest that outdoor temperatures will rise and therefore our reliance on air-conditioning systems will become even greater. All of this goes against the current trend of creating greener ships and a greener shipping industry.
SOLASOLV® anti glare heat rejecting sunscreens for navigation bridge windows from Solar Solve Marine, are an ideal solution to heat build up, glare and reflection on the bridge. The high performance SOLASOLV® film rejects up to 87% of the sun’s heat creating a more comfortable working environment and less reliance on air-conditioning systems whilst providing a glare-free, clear view for safer navigation.
In cabins, ROLASOLV® flame retardant fabric roller blinds and blackout blinds reject heat to stop the room becoming hot whilst allowing the crew to sleep, even during the day, by providing room darkening or blackout conditions – an effective way of reducing fatigue. Again, by preventing heat build up the need for air-conditioning is reduced and so are the associated costs to enable it to run.
Some ship owners are installing permanent adhesive window film onto their cabin windows to reject the sun’s energy. Heat build up is greatly reduced and passengers or crew can have a clear view of the outside world. SOLASOLV®; window film is an ideal choice for this situation as it can reject up to 80% of the sun’s heat.
These cost effective products are custom made to order, easy to install and can be fitted on newbuildings as well retrofitted to existing vessels. We have many years of exporting experience and can dispatch to most worldwide destinations. SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® products can help to pay for themselves in the long run with the savings made from reduced use and maintenance of air-conditioning systems.
With the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, the international treaty on climate change, by a total of 169 countries, emission targets have been set to help prevent the ozone layer diminishing any further. These targets are reductions on current emission levels with financial implications if the limits are exceeded. Countries can purchase carbon credits from other countries if they exceed the set targets but only if the other country has not used their own quota. But, as many economies are built on industry which creates these emissions, there is concern about the availability of carbon credits for purchase.
Governments and industry regulators are now creating policies and regulations that will help them achieve the set emission targets. Companies who generate emissions, such as ship owners and ship managers, are likely to be penalised unless they can show they are taking steps to minimise their emissions.
This is another reason why Solar Solve products should be considered for your current fleet of vessels as well as your newbuild programme.
