Noise News

15 Dec 2023

The Problem with Reducing Underwater Radiated Noise

Wind-assist will likely take load off the propeller. Photo credits: © Jifmar Group Library / Tom Van Oossanen and AYRO.

If the global commercial fleet reduced its speed by 10%, it would reduce underwater radiated noise by 40%, but nothing’s ever that simple.The main thing holding the shipping industry back from reducing its underwater radiated noise (URN) is not a lack of appropriate technology. It’s argued that many of the technologies being implemented today to reduce fuel consumption also reduce noise. So, the noise reductions could essentially come at no net cost to the shipowner, but there’s a lack of regulation and a lack of targeted incentives…