Alternative Fuels

DNV and RSI launch Baltic and North Sea green fleet renewal study

Both launched a feasibility study to develop a commercial framework for orders of green-fuelled newbuilds to decarbonize sea transport supply chain in Baltic and North Sea areas and beyond.

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2023

Admin

Classification society DNV on Thursday (5 January) said together with the Responsible Shipping Initiative (RSI), an alliance of Swedish dry bulk charterers, they have launched a feasibility study to develop a commercial framework for orders of green-fuelled newbuilds to decarbonize the sea transport supply chain in the Baltic and North Sea areas and beyond.

With this project, the RSI members aim to reduce their Scope 3 emissions and meet their sustainability targets in response to growing market demands and regulatory reporting requirements on environmental performance across the value chain.

The RSI members see a strong need for green newbuilds to replace the ageing shortsea fleet operating in the Baltic and North Sea dry bulk trade and beyond. Many of the vessels are expected to reach the end of their economic life in the next five to 10 years.

The study, supported by R&D funding from the Swedish traffic administration Trafikverket, aims to accelerate the energy transition in the regional sea trade by identifying opportunities for green fleet renewal through transport systems analysis and interaction with cargo owners, shipowners, suppliers, and authorities.

“Despite great strides being made to reduce our carbon footprint from land transport, progress has been lagging in shipping, even though this accounts for a large share of our transport needs,” said RSI chairman Sebastian Tamm, Sustainability & Logistics Manager at EFO.

“This market-driven initiative is a great opportunity to share knowledge, define parameters and standards, find common ground and discuss possible synergies to determine what is achievable in relation to future shipping needs,” Tamm said.

“Through an exchange of knowledge and information, shipowners will be able to gain a better understanding of the market’s requirements to make the right newbuild investment decisions.”

Cost and emissions analysis

The study will analyze the consequences of introducing new vessels based on two alternative green ship concepts: The ECO-Bulk concept, designed to reduce emissions as much as possible within current commercial terms. And the ZERO-Bulk concept for zero emissions, expected to require more collaboration and longer commitments between stakeholders.

This analysis will examine different scenarios based on the existing commercial frameworks, as well as alternative business models such as collaboration between shipowners and bunker suppliers, and public investment support. It will also factor in new environmental regulations including the EU’s Emissions Trading System for shipping.

Tackling sea transport ‘inefficiencies’

“One of the key challenges to the broader uptake of alternative fuels is the uncertainties among shipowners about what the market wants and is willing to pay for over the lifetime of a new vessel,” said Hannes von Knorring, Principal Consultant at DNV Maritime.

“Transport buyers may also lack information on what options are available, and what the practical consequences are to their value chains. We have started by mapping each participating company’s current transport routes, cargo volumes, employed vessels and ports to understand the logistical and cargo handling requirements and identify areas with the largest potential for green fleet renewal.”

Identifying ship synergies

“We have already discussed some possible synergies, for example, in supply of alternative fuels and access to shore power, as well as how to use vessels more efficiently,” says Tamm. “Through this project, we will better understand the solutions that can be deployed, tailored to the needs of a large group of cargo owners. I’m hopeful that in the next five years this could lead to standardized vessel sizes in the regional trades with that can meet our transport needs with much lower emissions,” Tamm added.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 6 January, 2023

Alternative Fuels

SMW 2025: Singapore to launch new standard for electric harbour craft this week

MPA and Enterprise Singapore will launch the Technical Reference 136 to provide guidelines for the development and operation of charging and battery swap systems for electric harbour craft, says minister.

Published

7 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: Singapore to launch new standard for electric harbour craft this week

Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai on Monday (24 March) said Singapore will launch a new standard for electric harbour crafts this week as part of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) efforts in facilitating decarbonisation for domestic harbour craft to achieve the republic’s national target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“MPA and Enterprise Singapore will launch the new Technical Reference 136 this week to provide guidelines for the development and operation of charging and battery swap systems for electric harbour craft,” Murali said during his speech at the opening ceremony of the Singapore Maritime Week 2025 (SMW 2025).

“This will enhance the safety and interoperability of electric harbour craft charging infrastructure.”

This is one of the initiatives MPA is undertaking to prepare for the bunkering of alternative marine fuels and decarbonising Singapore’s domestic maritime sector.

The minister said Singapore is taking steps to support the use of various fuels by the industry and position Singapore as a leading bunkering hub for alternative fuels.

“Over the past two years, we have supported trials of alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol. These have contributed to the development of new technical references and IMO guidelines to enable the safe and efficient use of these marine fuels,” he said.

“MPA and Enterprise Singapore published the new Technical Reference 129 on Methanol Bunkering earlier this month, and we plan to launch a new standard for ammonia bunkering later this year.”

He added MPA has also recently allowed licensed bunker tankers to carry and deliver biofuels up to B30.

“Pilots for up to B100 are ongoing, and we welcome bunker suppliers to engage in these pilots,” he said.

At the opening ceremony of SMW 2025, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with Murali, also launched Singapore’s first Maritime Digital Twin, an advanced simulation model developed by MPA in partnership with the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) that integrates real-time data to enhance decision-making and improve management of maritime operations in Singapore waters.

Murali said the digital twin will integrate data from different sources and provide a platform for information sharing. This will enable the development of tools to optimise port efficiency and reliability above, at and below the sea surface.

“For example, the digital twin will enable scenario simulations and dispersion modelling, which can inform standard operating procedures for the safe bunkering of alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia,” he said.

The minister added MPA will roll out the digital twin to pilot users later this year, before progressive implementation for the wider industry.

“In future, we can extend this to the global maritime ecosystem through our Green and Digital Shipping Corridors with other countries and ports,” he said.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of SingaporePublished: 24 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

TFG Marine welcomes first of four ‘L’ series IMO type II bunkering tankers of Consort Bunkers

TFG Marine to operate Consort Bunkers’ bunkering tanker “Pearl Lavender”, capable of carrying methanol, biogrades up to B100, as well as conventional fuels, at Singapore port from April onwards.

Published

7 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine welcomes first of four 'L' series IMO type II bunkering tankers of Consort Bunkers

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Friday (21 March) said it attended the delivery ceremony of bunker tanker Pearl Lavender at China Merchants Jinling shipyard in Nanjing.

The IMO type II chemical bunkering tanker newbuilding is amongst others under long-term time charter from Singapore-based bunker supplier and logistics services provider Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd (Consort).

"This state of the art vessel, capable of carrying methanol, biogrades up to B100, as well as conventional fuels, will be operational at the Port of Singapore from April 2025, further advancing our product offering to our client base in the APAC region," said TFG Marine.

"As the first of four barges in this order, this investment builds on our commitment to low-carbon fuel bunkering infrastructure, reinforcing our vision for a multi-fuel future.

"With methanol, biofuels, ammonia, and other alternative fuels playing an increasingly significant role alongside traditional marine fuels, we continue to support the industry's transition towards cleaner energy solutions."

Manifold Times previously reported that Consort first contracted six ‘L’ series 6,500 dwt IMO Type II bunker tankers with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. in April 2023.

The ‘L’ series of bunker tanker newbuildings gained recognition from the China Association of The National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) as amongst the Chinese shipbuilding sector’s top 10 innovative vessels for 2024.

Last year, TFG Marine announced the signing of a long-term time charter agreement with Singapore-based bunker supplier and logistics services provider Consort Bunkers for four newbuild bunker tankers.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 24 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

RINA awards Type Approval to VINSSEN for maritime fuel cell stack

Approval of VINSSEN 60kW maritime fuel cell stack will accelerate the demonstration and commercialisation of its 120kW maritime fuel cell power generation system.

Published

8 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Admin

RINA awards Type Approval to VINSSEN for maritime fuel cell stack

South Korea’s maritime decarbonisation technology provider VINSSEN on Friday (21 March) said it has received Type Approval from Italian classification society RINA for its 60kW maritime fuel cell stack.

The company said the approval will accelerate the demonstration and commercialisation of VINSSEN's 120kW maritime fuel cell power generation system.

Despite the absence of clear maritime hydrogen-related legal standards, the company has leveraged regulatory sandboxes to systematically conduct technology verification and rigorous certification procedures, demonstrating its technical expertise.

“The recent Type Approval from RINA not only strengthens international confidence in hydrogen fuel cell technology for eco-friendly ships but also marks a significant step toward full commercialisation,” it said.

“This milestone reflects the company's commitment to promoting hydrogen fuel cells as a key solution for reducing maritime carbon emissions.”

The certification process involved performance and environmental tests based on IEC standards, all of which VINSSEN successfully passed. The vibration test confirmed the system's durability under specific frequency and acceleration conditions.

Additionally, the dielectric strength test showed that the system could withstand high voltage without insulation failure, meeting all required standards.

“These challenging tests were successfully completed, confirming the reliability and safety of VINSSEN's fuel cell module for maritime and shipbuilding applications,” the company said.

Looking ahead, VINSSEN plans to accelerate the development of next-generation hydrogen fuel cell solutions, including a 150kW high-output fuel cell stack and an onboard fuel cell power generation system using reformed gas (75% hydrogen and 25% nitrogen). These innovations will increase the feasibility of applying MW-class hydrogen fuel cell systems to larger vessels.

A VINSSEN representative said: “This Type Approval is a key milestone for the commercialisation of MW-class maritime hydrogen fuel cell systems. We will continue leading the maritime market through ongoing technological innovation and the pursuit of global certifications.”

Manifold Times recently reported VINSSEN receiving an Approval in Principle (AIP) certification from the Korean Register (KR) for Korea's first tugboat featuring a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.

Photo credit: VINSSEN
Published: 24 March, 2025