Chinese shipowner Changjiang (Yangtze) National Shipping Group has upgraded a freighter, code named 8303, to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a bunker fuel.
The development came as part of a drive by navigation authorities on the Yangtze River to promote the use of LNG to reduce local shipping emissions.
A total of three million yuan ($456,000) was spent on the modification to make freighter 8303 a dual fuelled vessel; the ship now has a 20 cubic metre capacity LNG bunker tank and emits 80% less nitrogen oxide.
Statistics from the Changjiang River Administration of Navigational Affairs show 30,000 polluting and energy-intensive Chinese vessels have been dismantled and remodelled since 2010, according to The People's Government of Ningbo Municipality.
“As China's longest river, the Yangtze traverses western, central and eastern China and connects the prosperous coast with the less developed inland regions. It is one of the busiest rivers for freight traffic in the world,” it notes.
“China began to develop the Yangtze River Economic Belt in 2014 to boost concerted development in riverside areas, and environmental protection of the Yangtze was highlighted in the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
“A total of 631 new energy freighters were approved from 2011 to 2015, cutting unit energy consumption by 20%, according to the administration.”
China emission controlled areas (ECAs) at three regions, including the Yangtze River Delta, are scheduled to take effect on 1 January, 2018.
Photo credit: VCG
Published: 28 December, 2017
Vessel was built by Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd at its shipyard in Singapore while its two sister vessels “Vox Alexia” and “Vox Apolonia” are still under construction.
The ships are about 200 m long and can carry 63 passengers, 136 trucks and 100 passenger cars at a speed of 22.5 knots; operations scheduled to commence in 2023.
Commissioned South African Shipyards to build an 8,000 tonne LNG bunker barge for delivery in 2020.
As part of the partnership, both parties are launching a grant call for solutions relating to energy storage systems and smart power grids for the offshore and marine environment.
Ships ordered by South Korea’s H-Line Shipping Company will be developed and designed by CSSC subsidiary SDARI; SDARI has received 55 PCTC orders to date.
Parties involved were PAS Marine, Pavilion Gas, Leedon NOX, PaxOcean Shipyard and Jurong Port Group.
Discussions around the need to develop methanol bunkering operations are taking place at numerous ports ahead of estimated demand of above 7M mtpa by 2030, says Chris Chatterton of Methanol Institute.
‘Economics of the shipping market will be the key driver enabling methanol to be adopted at a higher pace going forth over next couple years as market begins to return to more normal rates,’ states COO.
Integr8 Fuel injunction varied by Singapore Court to allow former employees to start work at Hartree Group in December 2022 following failure to produce evidence on biofuels development plans.
Variability of sources can affect the stability and performance of biofuel bunkers produced from these feedstocks, in turn leading to difficulties in meeting regulations and industry standards, shares Bryan Quek.
Top three positive movers in 2022 were Bunker House Petroleum Pte Ltd (+7), Eastpoint International Marketing Pte Ltd (+5), and Eng Hua Company (Pte) Ltd (+6); newcomer Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore) gets 19th spot.
Livestock carrier also involved in earlier bunker claim with Glander International Bunkering due to remaining unpaid fuel bill of approximately USD 116,000, according to court documents obtained by Manifold Times.
