Slow Steaming
The practice of sailing deliberately below design speed to cut fuel consumption, emissions and effective fleet supply.
- Category
- Cargo and Operations
- Last reviewed
How it works
Slow steaming is the practice of running a ship at a reduced speed to save fuel, because consumption rises sharply with speed, and thereby lower cost and carbon intensity. "Super-slow steaming" pushes this further still.
Beyond economics, slow steaming absorbs surplus tonnage: a fleet sailing slower takes longer per voyage, which tightens effective supply. It is a key lever owners use in weak freight markets and to meet carbon-intensity targets.
Where it shows up on The Maritime
Also known as: slow-steaming, speed reduction, eco speed.
Related terms
Bunkers
The fuel a ship burns and, by extension, the act of taking on that fuel (bunkering). Usually the single largest voyage cost.
Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)
An IMO operational measure of how much CO₂ a ship emits per unit of transport work, graded A to E each year.
Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
A one-time IMO design-efficiency standard that existing ships must meet, the in-service counterpart of the EEDI for new ships.
Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)
A voyage’s daily earnings net of voyage costs: the single number that makes a voyage charter comparable with a time charter rate.
More cargo and operations terms
A plain-English reference definition: our own explanation of a standard shipping concept, not a licensed source or legal advice. See the full glossary or the broader maritime dictionary.
Last reviewed: .