Energy & Carbon
Reducing environmental impact in the marine sector.
Understanding the energy and carbon impact on the marine environment
The marine industry is essential to global trade and transport, yet it significantly impacts the environment through energy consumption and carbon emissions. Heavy reliance on fossil fuels, especially for large vessels, contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which drive climate change and affect marine biodiversity. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the shipping sector alone is responsible for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions. Reducing these emissions has become a critical focus, as regulations tighten and industry stakeholders prioritise environmental responsibility.
In addition to operational emissions, the marine industry also faces challenges related to embodied carbon—the carbon footprint associated with producing, transporting, and installing materials on vessels. From the manufacturing of structural components to onboard facilities, embodied carbon plays a significant role in a vessel’s overall environmental impact. Addressing both operational and embodied carbon is essential to reducing the industry’s footprint and supporting a sustainable future at sea.
The importance of energy efficiency in marine operations
Improving energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions within the marine sector. By optimising vessel designs, using thermal insulation, lightweight solutions and integrating energy-efficient systems, operators can significantly decrease fuel consumption, reducing both emissions and operational costs.
Increased energy efficiency also aligns with regulatory standards, such as the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), which aim to drive down GHG emissions across the sector. As operators seek compliance with these standards, energy efficiency becomes not only a regulatory necessity but also a competitive advantage, offering cost savings and environmental benefits.
Saint-Gobain Marine leads the way in energy-efficient solutions designed for the marine industry. By focusing on thermal insulation and lightweigh solutions, we help reduce vessel weight, optimising fuel efficiency and lowering emissions. Our insulation solutions enhance thermal performance, minimising the need for energy-intensive heating and cooling systems.
Thermal insulation: reducing energy loss
Thermal insulation is critical to minimising energy loss and optimising HVAC performance, which accounts for up to 30% of fuel consumption on ships, especially passenger vessels. Effective insulation in engine rooms, accommodation and HVAC systems reduces heat loss in cold environments and heat gain in warm climates. This reduces the load on heating and cooling systems, saving fuel and extending the life of the systems.
Isover's U SeaProtect® range, for example, provides excellent thermal insulation, helping to maintain consistent temperatures on board. This innovative solution also provides improved acoustic performance and fire protection, contributing to safety and comfort on board.
Vetrotech's KM Ultimate coating combines excellent light transmission (60-70%), superior insulation (U-value of 1.0 W/m²K) and solar control (G-factor of 0.28-0.32). These features maximise natural light, reduce heat gain and reduce the energy required for cooling and lighting on board.
Lightweight materials: optimising vessel performance
Saint-Gobain Marine's lightweight solutions contribute significantly to improving energy efficiency.
Isover's SEA CLIMAVER® reduces the weight of HVAC ductwork by up to 65%, directly translating into reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, Isover's U SeaProtect® range provides lightweight insulation solutions that enhance fire protection, thermal insulation, and noise reduction.
The newly developed floating floor solution, the Weber Marine A-60 Floor N Light, marks a significant step forward in advancing sustainability and efficiency in the marine sector. By offering weight reductions of up to 68%, Weber's innovative lightweight materials decrease the overall weight of ships compared to traditional flooring solutions. In addition to weight savings, this solution offers a major advantage in installation speed. Unlike traditional flooring systems, the Weber Marine A-60 Floor N Light enables the installation of 1,000 m² in just 4-5 days, significantly reducing labour time and associated costs.
By minimising the weight of a ship, less energy is required to move it, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions over time. This not only meets regulatory requirements to reduce emissions, but also improves operational performance, allowing vessels to travel longer distances or carry more cargo with the same amount of fuel. In this way, lighter solutions contribute to both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency, making them invaluable to the future of sustainable shipbuilding.
Reducing embodied carbon in marine construction materials
Embodied carbon is a growing focus within the marine sector as the environmental impact of materials becomes more widely recognised. Materials like steel, insulation, glass, linings and coatings all contribute to a vessel’s embodied carbon footprint. By selecting sustainable materials with lower embodied carbon, the marine industry can make significant strides in reducing its overall impact.
Saint-Gobain Marine is committed to addressing the environmental impact of marine construction by prioritising sustainable materials and processes that reduce embodied carbon. By focusing on sourcing, production and design, we offer solutions that meet sustainability standards while supporting the industry's transition to a circular economy.
At Vetrotech, the Würselen plant has achieved significant progress in reducing energy consumption per kilogram of glass cut. Between 2019 and 2022, energy consumption has been reduced from 1.93 kWh/kg to 1.07 kWh/kg - a reduction of 45%. This improvement has resulted in a carbon reduction of over 4.4 million kg of CO₂ equivalent, demonstrating the tangible environmental benefits of optimising production processes.
By integrating sustainable practices, Saint-Gobain Marine helps operators reduce the embodied carbon of their vessels, supporting compliance with environmental regulations and supporting global decarbonisation efforts. Through innovation and collaboration, we are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future at sea.
Moving towards renewable energy sources in marine applications
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is a critical step for the marine industry to achieve long-term sustainability. While fully renewable powered vessels are still in development, hybrid systems and alternative fuels such as LNG, biofuels and hydrogen offer immediate solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Incorporating these energy sources will help owners meet emissions targets, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create a cleaner, more sustainable industry.
Beyond fuel types, renewable energy technologies - such as solar panels and wind-assist systems - are being tested and integrated on ships to supplement traditional power sources. These innovations offer additional opportunities to reduce energy costs, emissions and the environmental impact of marine operations.
The future of energy and carbon reduction in the marine sector
Saint-Gobain Marine is committed to reducing the energy and carbon impact of the marine sector through innovative, high-performance solutions that enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Discover how Saint-Gobain Marine is making a difference, creating solutions that are Better for People, Better for the Planet, and learn about our other sustainability pillars, including Resources & Circularity, Health & Safety on jobsite and Health & Well-being Indoors. Together, we can navigate a cleaner, more efficient future at sea.