Infineum: Fuel and lubricant additives can help improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions

International fuel additives company Infineum on Tuesday (1 October) published an article on its Insight website assessing the ways that fuel and lubricant additives can help improve efficiency and reduce emissions today and support future fuel options:

With the International Maritime Organization’s countdown to net zero emissions inexorably ticking down, the industry is looking for cost effective, readily available options to meet the interim targets, while also exploring ways to meet the 2050 net zero goal. Infineum’s Rob Glass and Dewi Ballard explore the ways that fuel and lubricant additives can help improve efficiency and reduce emissions today as the industry works to fully commercialise future fuel options such as ammonia.

Following on from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 sulphur cuts, probably the largest regulatory change to fuel composition that the maritime industry has ever seen, the IMO has now set a path to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

IMO says international shipping, which transports some 90% of global trade, is statistically the least environmentally damaging mode of transport when its productive value is considered. But, in its most recent study, the organisation reports CO2 emissions from ships are estimated to have increased by more than 9% from 2012 to 2018. Reversing this trend is a key goal and a big driver for change.

In its revised greenhouse gas reduction strategy, adopted in July 2023, IMO has set out very clear ambitions, aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions as close to 2050 as possible.

The IMO timeline also includes a commitment to ensure the uptake of zero and near zero greenhouse gas fuels by 2030, with checkpoints along the way.

From January 2023, it became mandatory for ships to calculate their attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and to start fuel consumption data collection. The first annual reporting on fuel consumption is complete, which means the first CII ratings, from A down to E will be made this year – with a target of C or better.

Clarksons Research estimates that more than one third of the deep sea cargo fleet will be rated D or E. But those achieving a C rating or higher cannot be complacent because the CII reduction factor increases yearly, which means more are likely to slip into D and E categories by 2026. IMO is set to review the effectiveness of its implementation by 1 January 2026, and if needed adopt further amendments. Penalties for non-compliance could also be introduced as part of these measures.

The good news is that the IMO targets are technology neutral, which means ship owners and operators are free to decide how best to gain and retain a C or better rating. What this means for the wider industry is increased complexity – a wider range of fuels, fuel blends and engine types, which increase the demand on the lubricant in use – and new additive technologies will be needed to help ensure trouble free operation.

There are already a number of GHG reduction options to choose from, which may require investment or impact profitability. Some of the largest GHG savings come from fuel selection.

However, the wide availability of net zero carbon fuel options is still some way off, which means, other carbon cutting measures are needed to help ships improve reduce fuel consumption without significantly increasing running costs.

Note: The full article by Infineum can be found here.

Photo credit: Infineum
Published: 3 October, 2024