Blend Tiger research examines cost of alternative bunker fuels for different ship sizes

Large ships will require significant advancements in technology and infrastructure to adopt hydrogen and ammonia bunker fuels, according to a recent paper by New York-based blending consulting company Blend Tiger LLC. 

This was one of the key conclusions of the paper, titled Navigating the Transition: A Comparative Analysis of Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Maritime Shipping. 

The study compared the viability of various alternative fuels—hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and biofuels—across different ship sizes, ranging from the largest ocean-going vessels to smaller, regional ships.

The study, authored by Eliseo Curcio, Director of Clean Technologies at Blend Tiger, also concluded that medium-sized ships can start transitioning to methanol and ammonia as these technologies mature.

“The paper emphasises that these ships are well-positioned to adopt alternative fuels sooner than larger vessels, given their lower energy demands and greater operational flexibility,” the paper stated.  

Small ships, due to their lower energy requirements and the near cost-neutral nature of biofuels, are poised to lead the way in adopting alternative fuels.

Note: The full paper by Curcio can be viewed here. 

Photo credit: Blend Tiger
Published: 30 August, 2024