From the time of its manufacture and throughout its operational lifetime until its dismantling, a ship generates pollution. As has already happened in industries such as automobile and electrical goods, which are further ahead in these matters, regulations will shortly be tightened up in the shipbuilding industry imposing limits which will have to be assessed and quantified. In the face of pressure resulting from international legal proceedings and public opinion, the need to take into account an assessment of the environmental impact when purchasing a new vessel is now a determining factor. The “green passport” is therefore starting to feature as integral part of a ship’s design specifications.

The only tools currently available for such an environmental impact approach are the generalised Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools which are difficult to apply to a product as complex as a ship. Nor is there a global database designed to suit the specific characteristics of the sea with the result that any calculations are approximate and the quality of the analysis compromised.

The CONVENAV project, which stands for “CONception et cycle de Vie Environnemental des NAVires” (Eco Ship Design and Life Cycle), aims to reduce the environmental impact of ships by developing innovative tools. From design through to dismantling, and encompassing the operational lifetime of a vessel including maintenance and refit programmes, these tools will make it possible to assess and reduce the environmental impact of ships and, by means of modelling, will facilitate inspection at each of the various stages. Naval architects, shipbuilders, component manufacturers and vessel operators will make use of the tools which might also be helpful to ship classification bodies in implementing eco-labelling initiatives.

CONVENAV has secured funding from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency) as one of the approved projects for its PRECODD Programme (Programme Ecotechnologies et Développement Durable – Eco-technologies and Sustainable Development Programme).

CONVENAV PROJECT PARTNERS:

Companies:

• DCNS, project director, which is responsible for project management, construction and maintenance of naval vessels, has launched a sustainable development initiative which should make it possible to limit the environmental impact of its operations and ships, 
• SITA, Paris, the waste management arm of the SUEZ Group, European leader for global waste management solutions, has the advantage of experience in managing major dismantling yards, in particular for the aeronautics industry in partnership with AIRBUS.

Research centres:

• ENSAM, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers (Advanced Engineering Institute) will be involved via its commercial research consultancy (SERAM) in Paris and its MAPIE Lab (Modélisation, Analyse et Prévention des Impacts Environnementaux – Environmental Impact Modelling, Analysis and Prevention Lab) in Chambéry, specialising in methods for assessing the environmental impact of products, 
• IFREMER, Brest, owner and operator of oceanographic survey vessels and with research teams engaged in research relating to sustainable exploitation of the sea, will be working on eco-indicators specific to the marine environment.

Contact: marc.boeuf@pole-mer-bretagne.com