LED lighting for ships | Energy savings on 150+ tankers

Port of Fredericia

New track solution following a fire in the port area

Hans Buch has entered into a 3-year framework agreement to supply LED lighting for more than 150 tankers operated by one of the world’s largest tanker shipping companies. The solution is designed to significantly reduce energy consumption, improve safety on board and contribute to the shipping company’s climate targets — with an estimated payback period of just 6–8 months.

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The framework agreement is an example of how the shipping industry has begun in earnest to adopt measures that improve operations in terms of climate impact, costs and safety.

When energy consumption and maintenance became a shared challenge

In shipping, lighting is not just about illumination. It is also about energy consumption, safety and maintenance in an environment where every component must withstand vibration, moisture, temperature fluctuations and demanding operating conditions.

In this case, the shipping company had a clear need: the fleet’s existing lighting needed upgrading to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support operations and reduce tasks that put personnel at risk on board. According to the original case study, the specific challenge was the shipping industry’s demand for reliable solutions that also improve personal safety.

Documentation was also crucial. In marine & offshore, it is not enough for a solution to be energy-efficient. It must also be certified and suitable for use in demanding maritime environments.

A certified LED solution for more than 150 ships

Hans Buch supplies LED tubes, LED floodlights and other LED lighting as part of a 3-year framework agreement. The agreement currently covers more than 150 tankers. On average, each ship will have approximately 1,000 fluorescent tubes replaced with LED tubes and around 30 floodlights replaced with LED floodlights, in addition to other lighting on board.

The key to the solution is not just the LED technology itself, but its compliance with the requirements of the transport sector, particularly shipping. According to the case study, the products are supported by a range of necessary certifications and tests, including in the following areas:

vibration
fire safety
extreme temperatures
flicker-free lighting
EMC
CRI
explosion protection in ATEX zones 1 and 2
long service life of over 78,000 hours (L70)

This makes the solution relevant in an environment where low maintenance and high operational reliability are not just an advantage, but a prerequisite.

The result was lower consumption, improved safety and a strong business case

According to Hans Buch’s estimates, each of the shipping company’s tankers will achieve energy savings of approximately 200–300 MWh per year after the LED upgrade. Lower energy consumption also means lower fuel consumption for the diesel generators that supply electricity on board.

This delivers a tangible financial benefit: the investment is estimated to pay for itself within 6–8 months of installation. At the same time, each tanker is expected to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by approximately 210 tonnes.

Another important benefit is the longer lifespan of the LED solution. According to the case study, its lifespan will typically exceed that of the vessels, which in practice can eliminate the need for many hazardous maintenance and replacement tasks at height. This improves both operational reliability and crew safety.

The case study is therefore compelling because the result goes beyond conventional energy savings. The customer also benefits from:

a solution that supports both financial and climate goals.er, the supplier and Hans Buch can be used to establish a solution that also looks to the future.