Ships :: The work of GBA Ships is marked by serving communities from port to port – sharing knowledge, help and hope. But how does a non-profit like GBA Ships continue the work while caring for the environment, oceans and earth?
This month as we celebrate World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, we share some of the efforts set in place to both continue serving the environment and communities across the globe.
Conservation of energy and water on board
Our marine operations team have sought strategies and new innovations over the years to improve fuel economy on our vessels. One example is repurposing surplus energy, where economizers are taken advantage of to recycle and reuse exhaust gas heat for heating, including hot water. The recycling of the heat reduces air pollution and eliminates the need for electrical heaters for heating on board.
Another way energy is conserved is by being mindful of air conditioning usage. Turning the A/C down by even a few degrees can greatly save on energy consumption, or by turning it off completely in areas of the ship not in use. Use of a management plan for A/C on board helps keep energy usage more consistent, while keeping temperatures inside the ship cool as crew work in warm climates.
Fun fact: Our crewmembers also take three-minute showers to help reduce water consumption!
Saving fuel to reduce environmental impact
Did you know that GBA Ships’ vessels spend more days in port than at sea — generally sailing for only 40–45 days each year?
On sailing days, by sailing at a slower, more economic speed, reduces fuel consumption. This, in turn, reduces carbon dioxide emissions. In most circumstances, Logos Hope and Doulos Hope sail at their most economic fuel speeds, at 10 knots and 7.5 knots respectively.
Yearly maintenance and cleaning of the ships’ hulls also reduces fuel consumption during sailing.
Technical Manager, Harald Smit explains, “During drydocking, (when the ship is removed from the water for annual maintenance), we always apply a high quality long lasting anti-fouling coating which helps reduce sea growth and drag in the water.”
Other measures that optimise fuel consumption are replacing old generators with new fuel-efficient ones, cleaning the ships’ propellers, controlling motors to operate only as fast as demanded, reducing the electrical load and fuel required to produce electricity. Plus, many areas on board also have energy saving lights — some timer controlled to avoid unnecessary usage.
As well as this, GBA Ships also monitors, records and reports fuel consumption to authorities annually — the RINA Classification Society.
Community projects on shore
Did you know that a dedicated community‑service day is included in each crewmember’s weekly schedule. Throughout the week, numerous teams of crewmembers join alongside local communities facilitating and supporting activities such as coastal clean-ups, shelter construction, farming projects and much more.
During her recent visit to the Caribbean, Logos Hope crewmembers had opportunity to partner with Don, who runs a farm in Grenada.
“Planting lettuce, pulling weeds, tilling soil and harvesting peppers — our team got to experience it all,” Cameron (USA) said. “We supported Don and a gentleman who owns the fields and usually manages all the labour.”
Don’s vision is to provide income for his community, but also to allow schools, children and adults to work in nature.
Meanwhile sister vessel, Doulos Hope recently partnered with the local police department in the Philippines on a joint beach‑cleaning initiative. These partnerships enabled shared ownership of the environment and encouraged wider community participation.
Crewmember Vale (Colombia), shares, “We are deeply grateful to partner with the local communities, as they can continue the projects after we leave.”
Bonus impact! As there is need and opportunity, the crew pass out water filters to the communities visited so that they can have drinkable water long after the ship has left. These filters can last up to ten years!
Continual awareness and collaboration
As a non‑profit organisation, GBA Ships seeks to engage in collaborative efforts that promote environmental awareness and protection as we serve port communities around the world.
Thank you! We are grateful to every partner and community member GBA Ships can work alongside and who work with us to advance environmental awareness and care — now and in years to come.
Together, these collective efforts help steward the resources entrusted to us, as we continue building initiatives that can benefit both people and the environment in which we live, while minimising the environmental impact of our ocean-going ships as much as possible.