Solstad Green Operations
Solstad Green Operations® is a campaign that was implemented back in 2009. We wanted to set focus on operational measures applicable to the entire fleet, which could result in fuel reductions and emissions. The goal was to work together to change the attitude towards energy efficiency by working with day-to-day behavior onboard. From the start the SGO program was based on savings based on estimated fuel reduction for the measure. If one measure saved at least 500 liters of fuel in one day, it was equal to “1 SGO”. Small but frequent measures such as shutting of floodlights on deck every day counted as “1 SGO”. Larger measures such as saving 3 tons of fuel due to slow steaming on transit (in one day) was still only “1 SGO”. In this way all considerable measures counted as one. The number of SGO’s per vessel was published every month and the best vessel got an award. A flag was given to the vessel when they achieved more that a certain number of SGO’s.
With the Solstad Green Operations® campaign, we can see the operational savings compared to before the campaign was implemented. From 2009 until 2020 we have been able to save as much as 20% fuel during operations. This thanks to the commitment and contribution from the crew on all our vessels.
Over the years the Solstad Green Operations® campaign has optimized. Now we have other ways to track the fuel consumption than before. In our supervisory software tool, we now monitor the fuel consumption continuously. With enhanced focus on digital monitoring the Solstad Green Operations reporting has been simplified and more accurate. From 2022 each vessel only needs to generate a simple SGO’s report once a day, selecting the operational measures completed that day (one or several).
Operational measures that can be done and reported in “Solstad Green Operations®”:
- Hybrid – Diesel electric propulsion
- Green DP
- Optimize Trim/Draft
- Reduced power for accommodation
- Reduced power for main propulsion
- Reduced transit speed
- Reduced use of auxiliary equipment
- Reduced use of floodlights
- Reduced use of thrusters
- Reduced use of generators
- Use of shore electrical supply
Our target is clear: Zero emissions
Did you know that one Solstad Green Operation (SGO) saves a minimum of 500 liters of fuel? In fact it’s enough energy to power the average US household for 6 months …
… or to drive an electric car from our headquarters in Skudeneshavn, Norway almost all the way to every Solstad office around the World if there was a road that long.
The average global CO₂ emissions are 5 tonnes per capita per year.
21 %
Increased fuel efficiency
1 098 616
CO2 tons saved
211 134
SGO’s conducted
2009 – 2023
Reaching our goal
In order to achieve our goal of complete carbon neutrality by 2050, we have no time to waste. We’re already working hard to reduce our emissions as much as possible with the technologies currently available to us, and we’ve seen some very encouraging results from our Solstad Green Operations program. Our journey so far has included the following steps:
- Solstad commits to the Paris agreement goals and have set a net-zero emissions goal in 2050.
- On the long path to zero, we need to focus on what we can do now.
- Since, 2010 we have improved our GHG footprint by more than 20% per vessel through Solstad Green Operations. This equals more than a 1 million tons of CO2.
- Our energy efficiency management system is certified by DNV, according to ISO 500001.
- Since 2017, we have upgraded 10 vessels with state-of the art battery hybrid system.
- Since we started using easy connect shore power systems back in 2016, we have completed 19 installations.
- Solstad has co-developed digital software tools for offshore vessels used for performance tracking with key suppliers. These systems are now dominant in the marked.
- Ongoing initiatives are in place to develop new digital methods for data gathering and analysis to further improve energy and fuel efficiency.
- Every Solstad vessel have a KPI of 20 Solstad Green Operations per month to ensure that fuel and energy efficiency is a top priority onboard.
- Starting summer of 2023, we joined the VPS MARESS fuel campaign where we compete not only against own vessels but against our competitors.
- To investigate and be prepared for the use of novel green technologies and fuels when this becomes available, we have signed strategic cooperation agreements with Kongsberg Maritime, Seam AS, Wartsila and Caterpillar.
- All new Solstad vessels will have installed or be prepared for a low- or zero emission system.
Our footprint
When SGO was initiated we started to track our footprint and it became a new way of thinking. Thanks to the new mindset we have been able to save tons of fuel for our clients and our planet. Recording our footprint is key in the work towards reaching zero emission by 2050 and we started to collect emission data long before it was “cool”.
We believe in being transparent and have therefore decided share our data with the public.
Average active vessels
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018* | 2019** | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| 26 | 37 | 39 | 48 | 48 | 46 | 45 | 34 | 34 | 91 | 91 | 74 | 80 | 78 | 67 |
* Increased fleet due to merger in 2017
**Including Aqua vessels
Recorded data
Ecological Impact
We acknowledge that we do have a negative effect on life below and above water. We also embrace the fact that we are obligated to work constructively to minimize negative impact to our environment.
Since 2009 when Solstad Green Operations was initiated we have been working thoroughly and systematically with emission reductions. Ecological impact both over and under water has been our focus areas for years and we have therefore selected the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals number 13 – Climate actions, 14 – Life Below Water to be among our top priorities moving forward.
By embracing the 13th UN Development Goal – Climate Action. That will give us a common ground to stand on while building resilience and adaptive capacity.
We can thank our ocean for many things, rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe. The ocean drives global systems that makes the earth habitable for humankind.
That is why the “Life Below Water” goal is so important to Solstad and at same time makes us obligated to reduce our negative impact as much as possible.
The Getting to Zero Coalition is a powerful alliance of more than 90 companies within the maritime, energy, infrastructure and finance sectors, supported by key governments and IGOs. The Coalition is committed to getting commercially viable deep sea zero emission vessels powered by zero emission fuels into operation by 2030 – maritime shipping’s moon-shot ambition
NCE Maritime Cleantech
The cluster organisation uses the Norwegian maritime expertise, built up over generations, as a springboard for the development of new energy-efficient and environmental friendly technologies.
Goal:
NCE Maritime CleanTech shall strengthen the cluster partners’ competitiveness by developing and launching innovative solutions for energy-efficient and clean maritime activities.
Ship Recycle
Solstad Offshore supports the requirements structured around the Hong Kong Convention, we will respect all applicable regulations and guidelines for labour, human rights, anti-corruptions and sound waste management.