Oldendorff Carriers has begun equipping its entire fleet with light-emitting diode (LED) lift bulbs in a move to improve its green footprint.
The German shipowner has carried out a series of trials to analyse the performance of different LED manufacturer’s lights over the last year.
It found that LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting such as fluorescent, halogen, and incandescent lights.
In addition it found that LED lights contain no toxic elements, emit virtually no IR or UV, come on at 100% brightness almost instantly, are breakage resistant and largely immune to vibrations and other impacts and fewer of them are needed.
“After tests on four ships were completed, we evaluated the feedback from aboard and determined it was worthwhile to switch to LED,” Oldendorff said.
“The tests also helped us to identify the optimal LED lights for our vessels. We have now started to supply our vessels with the selected lights.”
Oldendorff said the first six ships have now been fitted and that the remaining ships will either get equipped in dry-dock or during the upcoming voyages by the crew.
“With LED bulbs fitted, the workload for the crew on board will be significantly reduced, as their lifetime is about five times longer compared with normal fluorescent bulbs,” it said.
Oldendorff said the use of LED’s will also reduce the electrical power requirement and consequently the emissions from each ship.
“We will continue to look for ways to reduce our environmental footprint and we welcome suggestions from all Oldendorffers,” it added.
