752086SWIRLGENClosedVouchersInnovate UKFresh Maritime is creating a commercially viable product, capable of reducing the emissions and fuel consumption of propeller driven ships. This will be achieved by designing a packaged technology that can be readily incorporated into a standard vessel. Significant efforts are being made to tackle the environmental aspects of the growing international maritime fleet and the industry is under intense regulatory pressure from both the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and regional areas such as the European Union and the Americas. Ships now have to meet efficiency requirements before they enter service and the index level will become increasingly stringent over the coming years. Sulphur emissions from exhaust gasses will also be reduced by requiring vessels to use expensive low sulphur fuel oil or other methods such as exhaust gas scrubbers. In addition, vessels are required to improve efficiency in operation, using smarter methods to reduce fuel consumption. These regulations are putting an increased financial burden on the shipowners and ship operators. With bunker fuel costs forecast to increase significantly, the industry is looking at all options to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Energy saving technologies that reduce fuel consumption are therefore an attractive method for meeting regulatory requirements and increasing the profitability of newbuild and existing vessels. It is this that SWIRLGEN intendeds to provide.