A joint study framework to discuss common issues around the use and development of ammonia as a marine fuel has welcomed an additional 11 members. Led by the Itochu Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, the framework now includes a total of 34 companies and organisations. The joint study framework will discuss common issues including: 1). Safety...
Fuel cell technology from Bloom Energy has been awarded a Concept Verified Statement of Maturity by ABS, a key step on the path to commercial application. ABS engineers have reviewed Bloom Energy’s technology and verified its potential application as an alternative fuel source for vessels, part of the ABS New Technology Qualification (NTQ). The NTQ...
Methanol as a commercially and technically viable marine fuel is gaining greater traction over other alternative bunkers, including LNG, as more shipowners adopt the clean burning fuel as price spreads narrow and production ramps up. Speaking at a virtual conference last week, Greg Dolan, CEO of the Methanol Institute noted that methanol production costs will...
KPI OceanConnect has launched its alternative fuels and special projects division to enhance its counterparts’ ability to achieve their sustainability ambitions. Bill Wakeling, an expert in marine fuels, will lead the new offering. He will lead on all matters relating to alternative fuels and decarbonisation, as well as exploring opportunities for new ventures and projects....
CSM Energy (member of the Columbia Group) and engineering firm Hydrus have joined forces to assess and retrofit offshore support vessels (OSV) involved in offshore installations and operations, turning them into hybrid ships powered by battery and fuel. The upgraded vessels will use significantly less fuel, reducing emissions and cutting maintenance costs for the diesel...
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has signed a long-term consecutive voyage charter with JFE Steel Corporation for a new capesize bulk carrier that will be capable of reducing CO2 emissions by 25-30 per cent thanks to the use of liquified natural gas (LNG). The next-generation 210,000 DWT vessel will reduce sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions by...
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Shell International Petroleum Company have agreed to work closely together to help accelerate the decarbonisation of the global shipping sector. The long-term memorandum of understanding will help MSC and Shell to play enhanced roles in the energy transformation of shipping, as developers and early adopters of innovative technologies and...
Wärtsilä is carrying out advanced full-scale engine testing of hydrogen and ammonia at its engine laboratory in Vaasa, Finland to assess the optimum engine parameters for running on these fuels as shipping works towards a carbon-free future. The test results are encouraging according to Wärtsilä, with one test engine performing very well when running on...
The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) has published two new guidelines to improve the safety of LNG-fuelled ships. The documents are intended to assist greater standardisation in crew competency and vessel design. SGMF’s ‘Operation of ships with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – competency and assessment guidelines’ defines the skills required for any...
Industry coalition SEA-LNG believes that greater understanding around the comparative pricing, vessel performance and procurement of marine fuels is required to avoid costly mistakes as companies plan their decarbonisation pathway. The statement comes as the coalition examined the individual capabilities and requirements of low emissions ‘future fuels’, including the impact that fuels’ energy density has...
A consortium of 26 companies and associations, led by DNV, has launched the “Handbook for Hydrogen-fuelled Vessels” to address the uncertainties surrounding hydrogen as ship fuel. The MarHySafe joint development project (JDP) aims to create a knowledge base for safe hydrogen operations in shipping. Green hydrogen could play a crucial role in the maritime industry’s...
ScanOcean and Neste are broadening the sales and distribution of low-sulphur marine fuels in the Swedish market. At the end of June 2021, ScanOcean will add Neste MGO DMA (marine gas oil) from the Neste Marine 0.1 product range to its product offering, alongside with the Neste MDO DMB. Both bunker grades will be available...