Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

Infineum: Proving marine additive performance

Infineum has invested in the development of robust new testing methods to satisfy end users by providing significant data in order to comply with the rigors encouraged by CII.
Admin

Published

5 years ago

on

CAmeron

Infineum fuels technologist Amy Challinor and Global Market Manager Rob Ashton on Tuesday (7 December) released an article explaining how in recent tests of the latest combustion improver technology from Infineum has outperformed conventional ferrocene-based additive technology across the board in high and low sulphur marine fuels.

To facilitate the drive towards greenhouse gas emissions reduction and improved air quality, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has targeted a 40% reduction in carbon intensity for the shipping fleet by 2030, with further improvement to 50% by 2050 relative to 2008 levels. With so much action required in such a relatively short timescale, the IMO has developed a timeline and introduced a number of measures to quantify performance improvements to help drive the necessary change.

dec 21 marine 1000

Definitions:

  • Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is an energy efficiency calculation for each individual ship, expressed in grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per ship’s capacity-mile. A lower EEDI points towards a more energy efficient ship design. A continuous improvement energy efficiency drive is incorporated into the program to encourage the adoption of the latest energy saving technologies.
  • Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) introduced for all ships is a measure aimed at improving operational energy efficiency through enhanced vessel operation, be that by route planning or hardware upgrades/maintenance.
  • Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) is similar in scope to EEDI but targets all existing vessels over 400 gross tonnage and references the CO2 emissions per cargo ton and mile in relation to the engine output, load and speed.
  • Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), for ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above, measures the actual fuel consumption and distance travelled for each ship.

Action is required now

To meet these targets ship operators must look for new ways to improve fuel economy and cut emissions, while also reducing running costs and down time. Improving combustion efficiency to ensure more energy is transferred into forward propulsion is one factor for ship operators to consider.

However, some conventional fuel-borne combustion improvers have had a somewhat tarnished reputation owing to exaggerated claims of fuel economy and emissions reduction benefits.

The fuel standard for marine distillate fuels (ISO 8217) currently addresses fuel combustion quality through the Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index (CCAI), which, as the name suggests, is a calculation using the density and the kinematic viscosity of the fuel. It is recognised, with the introduction of very low sulphur fuel oils, that CCAI may not give an accurate reflection of a fuel’s combustion quality due to increased utilisation of cracked cutter stock into the fuel blending pool.

Infineum has invested in the development of robust new testing methodologies to satisfy end users by providing significant data and in order to comply with the rigors encouraged by the CII.

The evaluation of the new combustion improver additive technology has been carried out using this new testing regime. This has enabled us to accurately determine the potential for statistically significant fuel economy and emissions reduction benefits and to demonstrate whether the additive can make a positive contribution towards CII.

Testing programme

The engine test program (using a four-stroke, six cylinder, 1202 kW stationary engine) was conducted at critical marine engine operating points to explore and understand the impact of current combustion improver technology (based on ferrocene), as well as to assess a new Infineum additive formulation.

Owing to the variety of fuels available in the market, it was important to explore the performance of these additive technologies across the heavy fuel oil spectrum. To this end, data were generated in:

  • Traditional high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), which is used in ships fitted with exhaust gas abatement technology (e.g. scrubbers). A high CCAI RMG380 fuel was used in this study.
  • Very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), which is the most commonly used marine heavy fuel oil.

INF 1

The engine test sequence using HSFO with the new Infineum additive revealed improvements across all parameters relative to the base fuel. Minor improvements (coupled with some debits) were observed with the conventional ferrocene-based combustion improver additive.

2 n

Similarly, the engine test sequence using VLSFO with the new Infineum additive yielded robust results and once again performed significantly better than the ferrocene-based combustion improver. Unfortunately, it was not possible to establish a statistical baseline for nitrogen monoxide (NO) and total hydrocarbons emissions during these sequences.

3 n

The engine testing programme demonstrated that the Infineum combustion improver additive was able to deliver significantly better fuel economy and emissions benefits relative to a ferrocene-based combustion improver in both HSFO and VLSFO fuels. The reduction in filter smoke number achieved not only results in less visible smoke but also facilitates cleaner post combustion hardware (e.g. turbocharger blades).

Further testing of the new additive demonstrated its ability to upgrade lower quality fuels whilst maintaining trouble-free operation across the marine fuel oil spectrum (HSFO and VLSFO), which will give tangible, cost effective sustainability benefits to ship operators.

In addition to the combustion performance, the additive is able to confer fuel stability benefits. The additive can also significantly reduce fuel waste (in the form of sludge output from the purifier), resulting in further fuel economy credits coupled with reduced waste reprocessing costs.

Conclusion

As the IMO targets to reduce emissions from ships edge ever closer, ship operators must work harder and faster to find new ways to burn less fuel. Proven combustion improver technology not only delivers ~1% improved fuel economy performance and can make a positive contribution to CII, but also comes with a number of additional benefits:

lst

 

There is no doubt that improving the fuel economy performance of ship operations is becoming increasingly important. By improving combustion efficiency more energy is transferred into forward propulsion, less fuel is wasted and hardware stays cleaner for longer, which translates into reduced emissions, lower running costs and less downtime.

Note: Download this article

 

Source: Infineum International Limited
Photo credit: Cameron Venti from Unsplash
Published: 10 December, 2021

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
Admin

Published

6 hours ago

on

July 22, 2026

By

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
Admin

Published

6 hours ago

on

July 22, 2026

By

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Admin

Published

1 day ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending