Jason Miles, Chief Executive Officer of Quadrise, highlighted the role its MSAR® and bioMSAR™ technologies, which are water-based fuels and biofuels, can play in reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions that avoid the need for costly infrastructure changes or retrofits: 

Following the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April, the shipping industry may need to adapt to the introduction of a new Net Zero Framework that establishes mandatory marine fuel standards and GHG emissions pricing for shipping. These targets include a 20–30% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, with a 70–80% reduction by 2040.

To support these targets, as has been well-documented, the IMO has introduced a new Global Fuel Standard which means vessels must evidence their annual GHG fuel intensity (GFI), on a well-to-wake basis. The implications of these new measures for the industry are significant, particularly regarding the future of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), as well as certain biofuels, as cleaner alternatives to Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). 

The IMO’s focus on well-to-wake means that LNG will now receive a partial Tier 1 penalty by 2030 and fall into Tier 2 non-compliance by 2032. This is as a direct result of technology’s ‘methane slip’ issue, which refers to the release of unburned methane emissions into the atmosphere from LNG powered engines. Also, certain biofuel blends, such as B24, will now fall into the Tier 1 penalty band by 2030 and Tier 2 by 2033.

This level of uncertainty represents a headache for ship owners and operators as they look to adopt varied approaches to support the decarbonisation of their fleets. As the future of marine decarbonisation develops, it is clear that there is no single technology that holds the answers. When considering the right solution, owners and operators must balance the need to achieve compliance against the significant investment involved in using alternative fuels – such as ammonia and methanol – in their fleet. 

The industry’s ability to support these fuel conversion projects is also a concern. According to a recent study by leading classification society, Lloyd’s Register, there are only 16 shipyards with a combined capacity of around 300 vessel conversions a year that have the capability, architectural knowledge, and experience to complete alternative fuel retrofits. This issue, combined with the lack of bunkering infrastructure to support the growing demand for ammonia and methanol fuels, provides a clear picture of the issues that zero and near-zero carbon fuels have to solve. 

The shipping sector can’t just wait for the widespread availability of carbon neutral fuels, and as questions remain over the future viability of LNG and certain biofuels, the industry must look to increase the pool of sustainable feedstocks that they engage with in order to make meaningful impacts on the GHG intensity of their fuels. 

It is with these challenges in mind that the industry must consider viable alternatives that address many of these uncertainties. At Quadrise, we see the potential of emulsion technology in supporting affordable compliance with modern environmental standards, without prohibitive cost or operating disruptions.

MSAR® and bioMSAR™ technologies from Quadrise are water-based fuels and biofuels. Our emulsion technology creates a superfine dispersion of oil droplets (1-10 microns) in a water phase, these are much smaller than injected marine fuel droplets (100 microns). This means that these emulsion fuels have a far greater surface area for complete combustion, with all of the fuel or biofuel being converted to energy. The use of water or water-soluble biofuels in the process also reduces NOx emissions by up to 45% by reducing the temperature of combustion.

Quadrise MSAR® technology represents a lower-cost solution that enhances engine efficiency and delivers up to a 9% reduction in CO2, and our bioMSAR™ technology offers over 20% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional bunker fuels. The bioMSAR™ platform allows the blending of a range of oil and water-soluble biofuels from sustainable sources and technologies processing 2nd generation biomass and non-food biogenic wastes.

Critically, these fuels are designed as a ‘drop-in’ bunker fuel solution that doesn’t require costly infrastructure changes or dual fuel engines. The technology is modular and can be integrated for production in under 12 months. Both MSAR® and bioMSAR™ can be supplied using existing bunker logistics infrastructure for HSFO and VLSFO. 

It is understandable that the shipping industry remains hesitant to fully invest in emerging alternative fuel technologies, which are likely to take many years to deliver economic returns. Owners and operators also run the risk of emerging technologies falling into obsolescence as technologies continue to advance. But, as we approach the IMO’s 2030 check points, the industry needs to show meaningful emissions reductions from their operations.

The challenges the industry currently faces does not mean that decarbonisation is unachievable, as the uptake of alternative fuels will happen. Yet, in the meantime, there are other fuel solutions that shipping can turn to – based on leading chemistry – that can bridge the gap to a decarbonised future. 

Photo credit: Quadrise
Published: 28 May, 2025