Making Virtual A Reality

Facing a likely future of tightened environmental regulation and rising marine fuel costs, efforts are underway to standardize efficiency practices in the tanker industry. Chief among these efforts is the “Virtual Arrival” scheme developed by Intertanko and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF). Though not strictly speaking a slow steaming proposal, Virtual Arrival similarly encourages consensus between ship owners and ports on speed and arrival time as a way to alleviate port congestion. The proposal is a step toward formalizing efficiency practices in an industry that is likely to face greenhouse gas emissions regulation some time in the future. However, it is an initiative that will certainly take time to be fully accepted in the market. Download here