Business

Ardmore Shipping orders Value Maritime emissions-reducing Filtree system for six MR tankers

Tankers will be made carbon capture ready for collecting CO2 emissions onboard in the future; Filtree units will be installed in yards in Europe and Asia.

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2022

Admin

Ardmore Shipping on Tuesday (13 December) said it has placed an order for Value Maritime’s emissions-reducing Filtree system, including the Clean Loop system, for an initial six MR tankers in its fleet.

Aligning with our energy transition ambitions, the tankers will be made carbon capture ready for collecting CO2 emissions onboard in the future. Taking place during regularly scheduled drydocks, the Filtree units will be installed in yards in Europe and Asia. Timing installations in this way ensures zero disruption to the commercial activities of our vessels.

The Filtree system is based on innovative technology that will filter sulphur, CO2 and 99% of ultra-fine particulate matter from the tankers’ exhaust stream. The system uses a Clean Loop mechanism which additionally filters its own washing water, removing oil residues and particulate matter, ensuring the pH neutral value of the water and contributing to reduced acidification of seas and rivers.

As a company, we are always looking for sustainable solutions for our fleet, now and for the future. Due to the Filtree system’s removal of sulphur from the exhaust gas flow, we can cut our emissions today while continuing to sail with more cost-effective high-sulphur fuel. Additionally, this positively affects the vessels’ performance and maintenance requirements.

Ardmore’s Director of Innovation, Garry Noonan, said: “In terms of technology, we believe strongly in working with technical and commercial partners to develop solutions addressing the energy transition.”

“As we embrace what could be referred to as the next generation in exhaust gas cleaning system technology, Value Maritime’s Filtree is unique in its ability to not only clean and neutralise overboard discharge, but also offer an additional benefit in the form of a potential carbon capture upgrade. This allows us flexibility today, while future-proofing our vessels for tomorrow in an economical and efficient way.”

Value Maritime has designed the Filtree as a plug and play system. The Filtree system, to be installed on the Ardmore tankers, will be outfitted with a modular CO2 capture and storage system to help reduce further emissions when this becomes viable. With this, CO2 is captured from a vessel’s exhaust and stored in tanks onboard. This is then discharged onshore where it can be used, for example, in the sustainable cultivation of greenhouse crops, methanol plants, and even the food industry.

Yvette van der Sommen, Director Asia Pacific – Value Maritime, said: “We are already enjoying our collaboration with the team at Ardmore Shipping. Like us, they are always thinking of new ways to stay ahead and achieve substantial emissions savings to unlock further potential for greener operations. Integrating our technology into their suite of sustainable solutions means their fleet can make an impact from day one of sailing with the Filtree.”

Photo credit: Ardmore
Published: 14 December, 2022

Winding up

Singapore: Annual general meetings scheduled for Xihe Holdings subsidiaries

Development includes Da Xin Tankers, Dong Sheng Tankers, Dong Ya Tankers and Hua Zhong Shipping; meetings will be held electronically on 7 and 8 May, according to Government Gazette notices.

Published

18 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Admin

Several notices were published on the Government Gazette on Tuesday (22 April) regarding the annual general meetings of the companies and creditors to be held electronically on 22 April for Xihe Holdings subsidiaries.

The subsidiaries are Dong Sheng Tankers Pte Ltd, Da Xin Tankers Pte Ltd, Dong Ya Tankers Pte Ltd, and Hua Zhong Shipping Pte Ltd.

Annual general meeting for Dong Sheng Tankers are to be held on 8 May at the following times:

For the company: 2pm

Annual general meetings for Da Xin Tankers are to be held on 7 May at the following times:

For the company: 10am
For the creditors: 11am

Annual general meetings for Dong Ya Tankers are to be held on 8 May at the following times:

For the company: 10am
For the creditors: 11am

Annual general meetings for Hua Zhong Shipping are to be held on 7 May at the following times:

For the company: 2pm
For the creditors: 3pm

The agenda for all the meetings are:

To receive an update on the liquidation.
To receive an account of the Liquidators’ acts and dealings, and of the conduct of the winding up

Manifold Times previously reported on the winding up of Da Xin Tankers, Dong Ya Tankers and Hua Zhong Shipping Pte Ltd and the appointment of the joint and several liquidators of the firms.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 23 April, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

Company says it is the first gas utility company in Japan to offer LNG bunker fuel at its terminal to vessels and is also exploring the potential of replacing LNG with e-methane as a marine fuel.

Published

18 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Admin

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

Osaka Gas on Monday (21 April) said it has launched its shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service, becoming the first gas utility company in Japan to offer liquefied natural gas (LNG) at its terminal to vessels.

The first delivery took place today at Osaka Gas’ Senboku LNG Terminal in Takaishi City, Osaka Prefecture, where LNG was supplied to Verde Heraldo, a bulker operated by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL).

Manifold Times previously reported that the bulker will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel Corporation's mills.

With the launch of the shore-to-ship service, in addition to its existing truck-to-ship LNG bunkering service—operational since 2019—Osaka Gas enhances its LNG fuel delivery capabilities to address the current scarcity of facilities in Japan that can supply LNG to vessels.

The company’s future plans include the introduction of a ship-to-ship LNG bunkering service utilising a dedicated LNG bunkering vessel, scheduled to commence in fiscal 2026.

These supply methods aim to provide a stable and flexible LNG fuel supply to an increasing number of LNG-fuelled vessels as the maritime industry transitions away from heavy fuel oil.

This growth in LNG-fuelled vessels is driven by global decarbonisation trends and the International Maritime Organization’s target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Through its LNG bunkering services, Osaka Gas is well-positioned to contribute to maritime industry sustainability.

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

In addition to expanding LNG fuel supply to vessels, Osaka Gas is exploring the potential of replacing LNG with e-methane as a marine fuel.

Photo credit: Osaka Gas
Published: 23 April, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Japan: J-ENG begins co-firing of first full-scale marine engine with ammonia

Company says the first Japanese-developed and manufactured commercial full-scale, low-speed, ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine has started co-firing operation with ammonia.

Published

18 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Admin

Japan: J-ENG begins co-firing of first full-scale marine engine with ammonia

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) on Monday (21 April) said the first Japanese-developed and manufactured commercial full-scale, low-speed, ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine has started co-firing operation with ammonia, which will be installed in a vessel.

J-ENG is developing the engine under the “Green Innovation Fund Project: Next-generation Ship Development” of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Since May 2023, when J-ENG started the world's first ammonia co-firing operation of a large, low-speed, two-stroke engine in a test engine, J-ENG has obtained many results and knowledge, including stable operation at high ammonia co-firing rates and safe handling of ammonia, through various test operations over a period of about a year and a half.

J-ENG will conduct verification operations on the full-scale engine and plans to ship the engine in October of this year. The engine will be installed on an Ammonia-fuelled Medium Gas Carrier (AFMGC) and then demonstration operations of the vessel will be carried out then.

In order to accommodate a wide variety of ammonia-fueled vessels, J-ENG is also concurrently developing an ammonia-fueled engine with a cylinder bore of 60cm, following the first engine with a 50cm cylinder bore mentioned above, for several promising follow-on projects.

Furthermore, after achieving the development and social implementation of these engines, the company has decided to construct a new plant with the support of a subsidy project by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism through the GX Economic Transition Bonds.

The new plant, which is scheduled for completion in 2028, will expand the production of ammonia fuel engines (in the product mix with fuel oil engines) and promote the spread and expansion of zero-emission ships.

“J-ENG, as a first mover of next-generation fuel engines, will contribute to the development of the Japanese shipping and shipbuilding industries through the early launch and expansion of these engines, and at the same time, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) in international shipping and the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050,” the company said on its website.

Photo credit: Japan Engine Corporation
Published: 23 April, 2025