Lloyd's Register joins project to protect marine habitats

The project brings together 15 partners to develop innovative noise reduction technologies, establish regulatory standards, and advance industry practices to protect marine habitats.  

Underwater radiated noise from ships has been found to be a significant source of continuous underwater noise pollution. It impacts marine species that rely on sound for survival, such as whales, fish, and invertebrates.

The European Commission has highlighted this issue in its Marine Strategy Framework Directive, requiring 80 per cent of habitat sizes for target species to remain free from biologically harmful noise levels. 

The four-year LOWNOISER project will demonstrate practical and durable methods to reduce underwater noise from ships, applicable to new ship designs and retrofitted vessels.

Some of the noise-mitigation strategies and environmentally friendly technologies include air lubrication systems that create a layer of bubbles beneath the ship to reduce drag and noise while lowering fuel consumption; and low-noise bevel gears and engine mounts designed to minimise vibrations and structural noise emitted by engines and propellers.