April 27, 2007 -Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line) has started a new ecological project to reduce CO2 emissions by implementation of economical speed navigation in Ise/Mikawa Bay for all "K" Line owned or operated car carriers with the purpose of contributing to environmental improvement in this area.
To the extent that schedules permit, "K" Line has for a long time periodically operated car carrier vessels at economical speed navigation in the open ocean, but this is the first trial where large-sized ocean-going vessels will continuously operate at economical speed navigation in the inner sea of Ise/Mikawa Bay.
An average of 4 tons of CO2 can be cut for each voyage by a 3-knot reduction in speed. "K" Line now has 500 car carrier calls in Ise/Mikawa Bay each year, and it is expected that based on half of full benefit, CO2 emissions will be reduced by about 1,000 tons per year.
This single action in a limited area will make a small contribution to CO2 reduction, and "K" Line continues to take other ecological activities, believing it will simultaneously improve the environment and public awareness of these issues.