Alternative Fuels

Aderco brings six years of inland biofuels experience to the maritime sector

‘We are here to transfer the extremely valuable knowledge gained over the past six years to the maritime sector, such that our customers are comfortable in the use of such biofuels,’ states CEO Olivier Baiwir.

Published

2 years ago

November 26, 2021

Admin

With COP26 talks in Glasgow aiming for climate goals of net-zero emissions by 2030 and 2050, replacing fossil fuels with biofuels is one of the primary ways to decarbonise the transport sector; this development will play an ever-increasing role in attaining these targets.

Aderco, a leading fuel treatment technology specialist with its roots originating from the maritime industry, is now set to draw on its six years of inland mining, power generation and transportation biofuels experience to support the maritime sector.

“Clearly, in addition to the maritime sector, the use of biofuels has already established itself in other markets. In particular, the automotive industry boasts some 20% of vehicles in Europe running on biofuels today; this figure is expected to increase to 50% in Brazil alone,” states Olivier Baiwir CEO of Aderco.

“As such, with energy majors now turning their attention to the production of this renewable energy, we see this as a real opportunity for the maritime industry.

“Furthermore, of equal importance and when comparing other solutions available in the market, only minor adjustments are required to the existing equipment on board when using biofuels as a marine fuel.”

Aderco expertise on the use of biofuels as bunker fuels

Biofuel is a living fuel and comes in different grades, ranging from B10 up to B100, or a 10 to 100% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) blend. One of the challenges Aderco has observed with regard to FAME is that, dependent upon the actual grade, this will affect the pour point.

For example, a vessel operating in the Baltic sea in the middle of winter using FAME derived from palm trees originating from Indonesia will present pour point challenges, compared to that of pine trees grown in the north. Accordingly, it is imperative that the correct grade of FAME is always chosen.

Being extremely sensitive to water contamination, either through water content or condensation, the storage management of biofuels is vitally important; as is the correct storage temperature in order to ensure the least amount of condensation present.

As bacteria is already in biofuels, any water added will only encourage bacterial growth and affect the pH value which, in turn, can lead to oxidation issues during long storage periods. Regular checks of the pH level are necessary to ascertain the biofuels remain stable. Should the pH level diverge, fuel additives will invariably need to be added in order to ensure the biofuel stays within the operable range.

Both in terms of pour point and water settlement, the use of Aderco 2055G has shown to increase the former by 5-10°C dependent upon the origin of FAME and the latter has reacted in exactly the same manner as for other fuels.

The calorific efficiency of biofuels is slightly lower than that of the more traditional fuels the maritime sector has become used to. As well as from a geo-political perspective, one can also expect to pay a higher price due to the blending components. Due to the need to be a greener industry, the market may well ultimately balance the price.

Having invested heavily in R&D and holding a vast number of case studies today, Aderco has solutions for the optimum use of biofuels to offer performance for an extended period.

“Given the challenges mentioned, I am sure a number of readers question biofuels as a viable alternative to fossil fuels,” notes Baiwir.

“However, with Aderco having gained a wealth of experience through our inland operations, I can categorically state biofuels are indeed a real alternative and that we are here to transfer the extremely valuable knowledge gained over the past six years to the maritime sector, such that our customers are comfortable in the use of such biofuels.”

Aderco’s products are further classified as “non-hazardous”, according to Baiwir.

“Aderco has successfully treated an incredible forty billion tonnes of fuels over the past 40 years,” he shares.

“As a leading company in our sector, we believe it’s vitally important to not only share our values but to live them out also. Environmental sustainability is one of the key topics and issues that we strive to address internally every day in terms of our products.

“I am enormously proud of what we have achieved over the past 40 years. In close cooperation with our customers, suppliers and partners, we look forward with much enthusiasm to contributing more to our planet in the years to come.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 26 November, 2021

Methanol

Kambara Kisen orders methanol dual-fuel bulker from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding

Firm ordered a 65,700-dwt methanol dual-fuel dry bulk carrier with Tsuneishi Shipbuilding; MOL signed a basic agreement on time charter for the newbuilding that is slated to be delivered in 2027.

Published

19 hours ago

September 22, 2023

Admin

Kambara Kisen orders methanol dual-fuel bulker from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding

Japanese shipowner Kambara Kisen has ordered a 65,700-dwt methanol dual-fuel dry bulk carrier newbuilding from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, according to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on Wednesday (20 September).

MOL said it signed a basic agreement on time charter for the newbuilding that is slated to be delivered in 2027.

The vessel will be designed to use e-methanol produced primarily by synthesising recovered CO2 and hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources, and bio-methanol derived from biogas.

The vessel's design maximises cargo space while ensuring sufficient methanol tank capacity set to allow the required navigational distance assuming various routes, at the same time maximising cargo space.

MOL added the vessel is expected to serve mainly in the transport of biomass fuels from the east coast of North America to Europe and the U.K. and within the Pacific region, as well as grain from the east coast of South America and the U.S. Gulf Coast to Europe and the Far East.

Details on the time-charter contract:

Shipowner: Kambara Kisen wholly owned subsidiary
Charterer: MOL Drybulk Ltd.
Charter period 2027: -

Details on the newbuilding methanol dual fuel bulk carrier:

LOA: About 200 m
Breadth: About 32.25 m
Draft: About 13.80 m
Deadweight: About 65,700 MT
Hold capacity: About 81,500m3
Shipyard: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Published: 22 September, 2023

Methanol

Argus Media: Alternatives may drive methanol market growth

Driven by low-carbon policies and regulations, the transportation sector — especially the marine fuels industry — could be a source of heightened demand, according to Argus.

Published

19 hours ago

September 22, 2023

Admin

The growth of sustainable alternatives to traditional methanol production sources likely will shape the market over the next several years, industry leaders said this week at the Argus Methanol Forum.

20 September

Driven by low-carbon policies and regulations, the transportation sector — especially the marine fuels industry — could be a source of heightened demand.

"The aim is to be net zero by 2050 but [those solutions are] expensive today and one of the main challenges to build e-methanol or bio-methanol plants is a huge queue for these pieces of equipment that aren't available," Anita Gajadhar, executive director for Swiss-based methanol producer Proman, said.

Bio-based and e-methanol plants of commercial scale, like Proman's natural gas-fed 1.9 million metric tonne/yr M5000 plant in Trinidad and Tobago, are not ready today.

"But that's not to say 10 years from now they won't be there," Gajadhar added.

Smaller projects are popping up. Dutch fuels and gas supplier OCI Global announced plans last week to double the green methanol capacity at its Beaumont, Texas, facility to 400,000 t/yr and will add e-methanol to production for the first time. Production will use feedstocks such as renewable natural gas (RNG), green hydrogen and biogas.

The globally oversupplied methanol market will not get any major supply additions starting in 2024 until 2027. But that oversupply will not last long, Gajadhar said.

Global demand has slowed this year, driven by stagnate economic growth and higher interest rates, according to industry observers.

As much as half of methanol demand is tied to GDP growth, with total methanol demand estimates at 88.9mn t globally in 2023. This is essentially flat from 2022, but up from 88.3m t in 2021 and 87.7mn t in 2020, Dave McCaskill, vice-president of methanol and derivatives for Argus Media's consulting service, said.

Demand is not expected to rebound to 2019 levels of 89.6mn t until 2024 or 2025, he added.

The period of oversupply combined with lackluster demand places methanol in a transition period, Gajadhar said, which opens the door for sustainable feedstock alternatives to shape market growth.

Danish container shipping giant Maersk and French marine logistics company CMA-CGM announced earlier this week a partnership to drive decarbonization in shipping. The partnership seeks to develop fuel and operations standards for bunkering with alternative fuels. The companies will develop net-zero solutions, including new technology and alternative fuels.

Maersk has previously ordered dual-fuel methanol-powered vessels and CMA-CGM LNG-propelled vessels.

The demand for alternative feedstock-derived fuels is there, but the ability to scale-up such production lags. Certified lower-carbon methanol produced using carbon capture and sequestration — also known as blue methanol— can ramp up much more quickly, according to Gajadhar.

By Steven McGinn

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 22 September, 2023

Biofuel

Royal Caribbean completes over 12 weeks of bio bunker fuel testing in Europe

Firm expanded its biofuel testing this summer in Europe to two additional ships — Royal Caribbean International’s “Symphony of the Seas” and Celebrity Cruises’ “Celebrity Apex”.

Published

19 hours ago

September 22, 2023

Admin

Royal Caribbean completes over 12 weeks of bio bunker fuel testing in Europe

Royal Caribbean Group on Tuesday (19 September) said it successfully completed over 12 consecutive weeks of biofuel testing in Europe.

Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas became the first ship in the maritime industry to successfully test and use a biofuel blend in Barcelona to meet part of her fuel needs.

The company confirmed onboard technical systems met operational standards, without quality or safety concerns, demonstrating the biofuel blend is a reliable “drop in” supply of lower emission energy that ships can use to set sail across Europe and beyond.

The tests across Europe also provided valuable data to understand the availability and scalability of biofuel in the region, the firm added.

Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Royal Caribbean Group’s alternative fuel journey.”

“Following our successful trial of biofuels this summer, we are one step closer to bringing our vision for net-zero cruising to life. As we strive to protect and promote the vibrant oceans we sail, we are determined to accelerate innovation and improve how we deliver vacation experiences responsibly.”

President of the Port of Barcelona, Lluís Salvadó, said: “Royal Caribbean’s success is a clear example of how commitment to innovation makes possible the development of solutions to decarbonise the maritime sector.”

“In this case, it involves the cruise sector and focuses on biofuels, an area in which the Port of Barcelona is already working to become an energy hub, producing and supplying zero carbon fuels, such as green hydrogen and ammonia, and of other almost zero-carbon alternative fuels, such as methanol, biofuels or synthetic fuels. Innovation and collaboration between ports and shipping companies is key to accelerate the decarbonisation of maritime transport.”

The company began testing biofuels last year and expanded the trail this summer in Europe to two additional ships — Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex.

The sustainable biofuel blends tested were produced by purifying renewable raw materials like waste oils and fats and combining them with fuel oil to create an alternative fuel that is cleaner and more sustainable. The biofuel blends tested are accredited by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), a globally recognized organization that ensures sustainability of biofuels and verifies reductions of related emissions.

With Symphony of the Seas departing from the Port of Barcelona and Celebrity Apex departing from the Port of Rotterdam, both ships accomplished multiple sailings using biofuel and contributed critical data on the fuel’s capabilities.

“These results will help accelerate Royal Caribbean Group’s plans to continue testing the use of different types of biofuels on upcoming European sailings this fall. The company is exploring strategic partnerships with suppliers and ports to ensure the availability of biofuel and infrastructures to advance the maritime energy transition,” the firm said.

Photo credit: Royal Caribbean Group
Published: 22 September, 2023