EU backs project to protect marine ecosystems from underwater noise pollution from ships

With €6,3 million in funding from the European Union, the 15 project partners aim to develop innovative noise reduction technologies, establish regulatory standards, and advance industry practices to protect marine habitats.

“We’re very proud to launch the LOWNOISER project, which represents a pivotal step in addressing the critical environmental challenge of underwater noise pollution from shipping. By the project’s holistic approach, we are ensuring that the technologies are part of a sustainable, long-term solution to protect marine ecosystems, safeguarding our oceans for future generations,” says Ada Jakobsen, CEO of Maritime CleanTech.

Underwater radiated noise from ships is 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% of habitat sizes for target species to remain free from biologically harmful noise levels.

While earlier initiatives have revealed the harmful effects of ship noise on species like cod, cuttlefish, and marine mammals, effective large-scale solutions that work in real-world conditions remain needed. The LOWNOISER consortium is stepping up to meet this challenge with advanced noise-mitigation strategies and environmentally friendly technologies, bringing us closer to quieter, healthier oceans.

VTT's role in the LOWNOISER project is to predict ships' underwater noise using numerical methods.

“We utilize our expertise in hydrodynamic and structural dynamic simulations within hydro- and vibro-acoustics. This includes understanding how shipping generates underwater sound and assessing noise mitigation solutions," says Senior Scientist Antti Hynninen, from VTT. 

The four-year project will demonstrate practical and durable methods to reduce underwater noise from ships. These solutions can be applied to both new ship designs and retrofitted vessels, ensuring they are accessible and scalable for the broader maritime industry).

Some of the groundbreaking solutions include:

• Air Lubrication Systems (ALS): These create a layer of bubbles beneath the ship to reduce drag and noise while lowering fuel consumption.
• Low-Noise Bevel Gears and Engine Mounts: Designed to minimize vibrations and structural noise emitted by engines and propellers.
• Onboard Monitoring Systems: Cutting-edge technology to track and adjust ship noise emissions in real-time.
• Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS): This innovative method uses fiber-optic cables to monitor underwater noise in busy maritime areas without disturbing the marine environment.

Five full-scale demonstrators, including HX Hurtigruten Expedition’s Roald Amundsen cruise vessel and Ibaizabal’s Montesperanza oil tanker, will validate the effectiveness of these cutting-edge noise-reduction technologies. The project will also measure their benefits for marine species, such as improving communication spaces for whales.

LOWNOISER aims to leave a lasting legacy by creating tools and guidelines to shape international standards  for underwater noise reduction. These guidelines will help shipbuilders, equipment suppliers, and regulatory bodies adopt sustainable practices and meet new environmental benchmarks.

Moreover, the project will engage stakeholders across the shipping industry to raise awareness of underwater noise pollution's impact and the solutions available to mitigate it. By combining cutting-edge science with industry collaboration, LOWNOISER is paving the way for quieter, greener oceans.