Sustainability | SAL Navigation AB

Our sustainability commitment

We understand how the path to a more sustainable future for the maritime industry presents complex challenges for shipowners, balancing regulatory requirements with maintaining operational efficiency and market competitiveness.

We believe sustainability isn’t about compromise—it’s about innovative technology that delivers both efficiency and environmental responsibility. With our unique experience and expertise, we transform challenges into solutions that enhance overall efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and contribute to quieter, greener oceans—helping to protect marine life.

How we make a difference – Silent and sustainable technology

Growing concerns about the harmful effects of underwater noise from shipping have intensified the demand for silent and more sustainable technologies.

Studies show that underwater noise disrupts marine life, especially marine mammals, by interfering with their communication, navigation, and hunting. This disruption leads to stress, disorientation, and, in severe cases, physical harm.

In the North Pacific Ocean, shipping noise has doubled in intensity every decade for the past 60 years, putting pressure on regulatory bodies, such as the
IMO, to implement stricter noise reduction measures.

Through decades of research and development, we have created speed logs and echo sounders with superior precision that minimize environmental impact.

Our innovative technology utilizes:

Low-power acoustic signals, minimizing disruption to marine life.
Combined sensor design, requiring less steel and hull modifications during installation.
Low-power digital communication, significantly reducing energy consumption.

The result is a range of speed logs and echo sounders that are not only highly accurate and environmentally friendly, but also more efficient to install.

Our combined sensors reduce the need for extensive hull reconstructions, minimizing the use of materials and potentially lowering the overall carbon footprint of the vessel from the installation phase onward.

The data

Silent technology

The graph illustrates the stark difference in power output
between our echo sounders and traditional echo sounders.

While standard echo sounders typically operate at 600-1000
watts, our SAL Navigation sensors function at just 2-14 watts.

This dramatic reduction in power consumption - up to 99%
less - translates to significantly lower energy use and reduced
environmental impact, all while maintaining superior performance
and accuracy.

Smarter and greener

Enhance fuel efficiency

and optimize operations

Sustainable operations start with our speed logs and echo sounders. The installation of our combined transducers requires minimal hull modification, leading to improved fuel efficiency and optimized vessel performance.

In a comprehensive study conducted by SSPA, now part of RISE, advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used on a 200K LNG carrier to evaluate different sensor configurations. The results demonstrated that our single, combined sensor design offers fuel savings of up to 0.12% compared to traditional multi-sensor setups, with negligible impact on hull performance compared to an unmodified hull.

The difference between traditional sensor installations and our innovative combined sensor approach

Traditional installations

Typical installation with multiple sensors, requiring a larger flattened area on the hull, approximately 6 meters in length. This configuration often includes separate sensors for speed-through-water, speed-over-ground, and echo sounding.

Our solution

SAL Navigation’s combined sensor installation is key to delivering superior efficiency. Requiring a flattened area of only about 2 meters, this reduced hull modification is central to the benefits of our solutions.

Our compact sensor design and minimal hull modifications deliver multiple environmental benefits

Reduced material usage: Less hull modification means less steel and other materials are needed for installation.
Improved hydrodynamics: The smaller modified area helps maintain the hull's original hydrodynamic properties, contributing to the enhanced fuel efficiency highlighted in the SSPA study.
Simplified installation: The compact design simplifies the installation process, potentially reducing time and resources needed during fitting.
Long-term efficiency: By maintaining more of the hull's original shape, the vessel can operate closer to its designed efficiency throughout its lifecycle.

Sustainable technology

For the entire journey

Our combined sensor technology, backed by power consumption data and the SSPA study, offers a clear view of its sustainability impact—reducing material use, enhancing fuel efficiency, and minimizing environmental footprint from installation to daily operation.

We innovate to make a difference – for our customers and for the oceans.

Learn more

At SAL Navigation, we are more than just a company – we are pioneers. Our focus on innovation is not just part of our century-long history; it is the foundation of our future. We are passionately committed to providing the most reliable technology that also protects marine life. This mission is more crucial than ever before. We are proud to lead and drive change for more sustainable oceans.

Protecting the future