Projects

Siem – The Ducktail Revolution in Fuel Efficiency

Reduce Opex

Houlder assessed various abatement solutions, with the aim to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions for two of Siem Shipping’s car carriers.

The ducktail that cut fuel consumption

For shipowners, decarbonisation often feels like a trade-off between cost, complexity and operational risk.

Siem Shipping wanted a smarter path. One that would reduce fuel use and emissions across its car carriers, without disrupting performance or requiring a major overhaul.

Houlder started with the vessel itself - building a precise digital model to understand how it actually performs at sea. Not just in theory, but in real operating conditions.

This allowed us to test a range of efficiency upgrades virtually, including hull modifications, coatings and air lubrication. One stood out: a refined stern extension known as a ducktail.

This allowed us to test a range of efficiency upgrades virtually, including hull modifications, coatings and air lubrication. One stood out: a refined stern extension known as a ducktail.

The result?

A verified reduction in fuel consumption of around 5% - with a payback measured in weeks, not years.

A simple intervention. Precisely applied.

More importantly, a whole new way of thinking about fleet optimisation – where data, modelling and real-world performance come together to unlock smarter decisions over time.

Because the future of shipping won’t be defined by one big leap, but by a series of intelligent moves that make every vessel work cleaner and more efficiently, voyage after voyage.

Previous

RRS Sir David Attenborough – Next-Gen Research Vessel
Next

BOSS Level – Intelligent Energy Management for Vessels