Energy efficiency in fishing: Are magnetic devices useful for use in fishing vessels?

Abstract Sustainability is one of the main challenges of commercial fishing. Fuel represents almost 40% of the total cost of a fishing vessel. The increase in the price of fuel over the last decade, together with the volatility and fluctuation in the price for a barrel of crude oil, makes fuel costs one of the main concerns of ship-owners. As a response, different initiatives have been undertaken, with the aim to reduce such fuel dependency. The present contribution presents the feasibility study of the use of different magnetic devices for fuel treatment, in order to improve the energy efficiency of fishing vessels and reduce exhaust emissions. According to manufacturers, fuel treatment devices provide three effects: reduction in fuel consumption; reduction in exhaust gas emissions; and improvement of engine performance by reducing maintenance costs. Three independent magnetic devices have been mounted and tested on three different 4 stroke compression ignition diesel engines. The first device was tested in an engine located on a test bench; it was operated under controlled laboratory conditions. The second, installed on board a trawler fishing vessel operating in the Mediterranean Sea; and the third, on board a representative vessel of the trolling fishing fleet operating in the Bay of Biscay and Atlantic Ocean. In all cases, the potential fuel-saving (~2%) and exhaust gas emissions (~0.6%) reduction was lower than expected by manufacturers. The aim of this contribution is to provide ship-owners with scientific knowledge to make informed decisions, when investing in energy-saving technologies.