White paper suggests ‘navigating for nature’ can save fuel and reduce carbon emissions

A new white paper released today by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) in collaboration with Whale Seeker and True North Marine uses a case study to illustrate how vessel speed optimisation has potential to protect marine mammals, whilst saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions. 

Navigating with Nature integrates environmental intelligence into the route from Montreal to Le Havre to show potential improvements across emissions, underwater noise pollution and marine wildlife protection, all without waiting for future fuels or new vessel designs. 

The North Atlantic route simulation suggests that modest speed adjustments can avoid around 198 tonnes of CO₂ per transit, cut exposure to underwater radiated noise by more than 50%, and reduce fatal whale strike risk by up to 86%. Notably, the optimised route also resulted in fuel savings of 61.7 metric tons of fuel. 

Navigating with Nature offers a starting point for integrating biodiversity and safety intelligence into routing decisions and could help inform future policy in the area. 

Emily Charry Tissier, CEO and Co-Founder of Whale Seeker said: “What this case study shows is that smarter speed choices could cut costs and emissions now, while also reducing underwater noise and pressure on ocean biodiversity.” 

Alasdair Wishart, technical and policy director at the IMarEST said: “This white paper illustrates how the landscape could look for vessel owners and operators should there be further legislation to protect marine mammals. As the only Institute that brings together marine engineers, scientist and technologists, we are perfectly placed to work with stakeholders across the industry to facilitate knowledge-sharing that leads to positive outcomes for all our members.”