Connect with us

Decarbonisation

DNV pioneers decarbonization class notation for floating offshore assets

Erik Carlberg of DNV highlights the importance of decarbonization for floating offshore units and how DNV are working with MOU operators to achieve their sustainability goals.

Admin

Published

on

266 2

Erik Carlberg, Business Director Floating Energy Production, Maritime (DNV), shared with Manifold Times an article on DNV’s Abate class notation for floating offshore assets. 

The article highlights the importance of decarbonization for floating offshore units and how DNV are working with MOU operators to achieve their sustainability goals and at the same time, gain access to greater funding and a competitive market edge:

Back in 2021, DNV was the first classification society to offer a class notation specifically addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement opportunities for floating offshore assets. Today, the voluntary, modular Abate class notation establishes a new standard for reducing GHG emissions from offshore installations.

When the IMO announced its new, more ambitious decarbonization targets for the shipping industry in July 2023, the decision was praised by politicians and the general public around the world. But the regulations in place to achieve these targets, such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), apply to the merchant fleet only. 

One key parameter in the carbon intensity calculations described by IMO is transport work. Since floating offshore units do not transport any cargo, they are not subject to these regulations.

Floating offshore assets emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases during operation. The type and function of the actual installation, drilling vs production, will of course determine the relevant GHG emission sources.

For a production unit, according to the UK Oil and Gas Authority’s 2021 “Emissions Monitoring Report”, 88 per cent of total emissions are CO2, followed by CH4 (methane) at ten per cent, and N2O (nitrous oxide) at two per cent. The majority of the methane, a powerful climate gas, originates from venting and flaring, whereas most of the CO2 and N2O emissions are from fuel combustion in gas turbines as well as flaring.

Meanwhile more and more major oil and gas companies are setting ambitious environmental and decarbonization goals for their operations to show their commitment to making a difference and are willing to embrace the ESG standards and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

By adopting effective carbon reduction measures, MOU operators can improve not only their public image but also their access to sources of investment capital as financial institutions are increasingly looking to minimize their exposure to the fossil fuel industry and move into the renewables sector. What is more, carbon trading schemes penalize carbon emissions and act as a financial incentive for operators to minimize their carbon footprint to avoid loss of profitability.

A class notation attesting to successful carbon abatement

Decarbonizing offshore oil and gas installations is technically complex and very costly. To help MOU operators and ultimately provide them with a means to credibly demonstrate their commitment to reducing their operational GHG emissions, DNV’s new class notation Abate, introduced in July 2021, defines a framework for identifying, assessing and implementing effective GHG reduction measures. The Abate notation comprises a management aspect (Abate Ready notation) and a number of additional technical qualifiers which can be adopted individually. It can be awarded to a newbuilding project or an existing asset. The required emission management system is very similar to the ISO quality assurance, environmental and energy standards, and will therefore be quite familiar to any organization.

The basic scope of Abate requirements includes the assessment of the emissions management system and also involves an assessment of potential abatement measures based on a thorough analysis of the asset and its emission sources. Both are necessary to obtain the Abate(Ready) notation and are prerequisites for obtaining any of the other Abate qualifiers. A dedicated person or team must be put in charge of the emission management system, and an emission abatement policy must be established that specifies realistic emission abatement goals and how they will be achieved.

The more detailed technical scope is reflected in the additional technical qualifiers directed towards specific emission sources. These qualifiers add prescriptive requirements for specific features of a floating offshore asset related to its function, such as power generation (P), carbon capture (CC), flaring (F) and others. 

Adopters of the class notation are expected to apply state-of-the-art abatement technology. A variety of measures may be taken, again depending on the installation function, such as reducing onboard energy demand, improving energy efficiency, optimizing system configurations, upgrading equipment and control systems, improving waste heat recovery, reducing flaring, capturing associated gas for productive use, minimizing process and tank venting as well as leakage, optimizing monitoring, inspection and maintenance regimes, and/or installing carbon capture and storage equipment. 

Whether or not some or all such measures are implemented will be subject to assessment of parameters such as technical feasibility, contribution to emission reduction, and the cost/benefit profile.

Compliance with the agreed scope of requirements, including implementation of the emission management system, proper function of abatement installations, potential further abatement measures, and assessment of the best available abatement technology, is verified by DNV through regular surveys.

Early adopters are demonstrating their commitment

The first FPSO owner to adopt the DNV Abate class notation was Altera Infrastructure with their FPSO Petrojarl Knarr in 2021. This pioneering project helped DNV, working closely with the customer, to further develop and fine-tune the rules of Abate based on real-life observations.

Additionally, the first jackup unit to receive DNV’s Abate-Ready notation was the self-propelled Vahana Aryan, the flagship vessel of the Dubai-based Vahana Marine Solutions DMCC, in spring of 2023.

The Abate Notation provides a structured approach to identifying potential abatement measures which can then be incorporated into a newbuild design.

Our customers, as with society in general, are aware of the current environmental challenges, and so typically will have internal processes, at various stages of development, to produce their own philosophy on how they wish to address the issue.

In many cases, for existing units, the Abate notation can provide a means, by an independent assessment, to give credit to measures which companies have already put in place based on their own emission reduction philosophy, and also then identify potential additional measures which may be feasible to implement.

Since the Abate Notation is a modular approach the initial stage of assessment of the management system and assessment of Best Available Technology may represent the start of the journey in documenting both current status and future intentions. Credit is given for conducting this assessment by award of the Abate (Ready) notation.

By reducing the environmental impact of floating offshore installations, DNV’s award-winning Abate-Ready class notation thus implies a promise to the industry, the public and the financial sector that the necessary measures are underway.

A number of other MOU owners are about to follow or have indicated strong interest in the Abate class notation. There is particular interest among owners and Operators of FPSOs in the Asia region to be at the forefront of these developments and to demonstrate how seriously they are taking the climate challenges that we are all facing. DNV are currently working with many of these owners in ongoing projects to implement the Abate framework, and thereby supporting them to reach their ambitions in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from their operations.

Focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Through its customer-driven development of class rules and notations, DNV responds to what the market really needs as it endeavours to mitigate climate change. In addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, “Abatement” adequately describes what this class notation is about: Ensuring affordable and clean energy (Goal no. 7); building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation (Goal no. 9); and taking decisive climate action (Goal no. 13).

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 19 September 2023

Continue Reading

Biofuel

GREENMARINE and Vertoro to accelerate adoption of lignin-alcohol as marine fuel

Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.

Admin

Published

on

By

Chuttersnap 1 1 MT

Methanol marine fuels consultancy GREENMARINE and Vertoro, a Maersk-backed Dutch start-up focused on developing liquid lignin technology which can be used as a bunker fuel, has signed an agreement to jointly accelerate the market validation and commercial roll-out of lignin-alcohol as sustainable marine fuels.

“We at GREENMARINE Group are excited to join forces with Vertoro to bring their revolutionary lignin alcohol blend fuel to market,” said Fredrik Stubner, founder and CEO of GREENMARINE Group.

“This breakthrough technology redefines sustainable maritime fuels, delivering environmental benefits and cost efficiencies, paving the way for a greener, more competitive shipping industry.”

Dr. Michael Boot Boot, co-founder & co-CEO Vertoro, replied, “GREENMARINE Group has an excellent track record as a match maker for green fuel producers with engine manufacturers and shipping companies, opening many doors for us on both the fuel validation and offtake side.”

Vertoro, founded in 2017, produces liquid lignin exclusively from sustainably sourced forestry and agricultural residues by means of a patented thermochemical process. Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.

Related: Maersk invests in Dutch start-up Vertoro to develop green lignin marine fuels

 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP from Unsplash
Published: 11 July 2025

Continue Reading

Biofuel

Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum receives ISCC EU certification, mulls increasing product portfolio

‘Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users,’ says Steve Goh, Head of Trading.

Admin

Published

on

By

Sea Oil logo

Singapore-based bunker trading firm Sea Oil Petroleum Pte Ltd (Sea Oil), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand-listed Sea Oil Public Company Limited, has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU certification, learned Manifold Times.

ISCC EU is a certification scheme that verifies compliance with the sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids within the European Union. It ensures that biomass and biofuels used in the EU meet specific environmental and social requirements, including greenhouse gas emission reductions and traceability throughout the supply chain.

The milestone, which took place on 22 May after two months of processing, was reflective of the company’s aim to expand its bunker fuel product offerings to clients seeking sustainable solutions, Steve Goh, Head of Trading at Sea Oil, told the bunkering publication.

“It is important for the bunkering sector to remain relevant, adapt, and play an active role in supporting shipping’s decarbonisation journey,” said Mr Goh while adding that, “this is in line with our group’s green initiative and sustainability drive.”

“As such, Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users.

“By achieving ISCC EU certification, Sea Oil will be in a better position to provide green marine fuel solutions to customers embarking on this journey towards net zero.”

Manifold Times in May reported Sea Oil welcoming a Senior Bunker Trader to its team.

The company started 2025 with an expanded team on both international and local fronts.

Sea Oil Petroleum may be reached at: [email protected]

Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum boosts Asia and international presence with new Senior Bunker Trader
Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum enters 2025 with international representatives, expanded team

 

Photo credit: Sea Oil Petroleum
Published: 10 July 2025

Continue Reading

Port & Regulatory

India: DGS seeking for comments for proposed national biofuel bunkering guidelines

Guidelines to align Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.

Admin

Published

on

By

DGS biofuel bunkering guidelines

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai on 3 July issued a notice inviting comments from stakeholders on the draft circular on Biofuel bunkering Guidelines.

“Increasing global emphasis on decarbonising the maritime sector has accelerated the adoption of biofuels as a sustainable alternative to conventional marine fuels,” it explained.

“Biofuels, particularly drop-in types such as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE), Straight Vegetable Oils (SVO), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO), Bio-FT-diesel (bio-Fischer-Tropsch diesel) and Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) fuels, offer considerable benefits by reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions without necessitating major modifications to existing shipboard fuel systems.

“However, the absence of standardised national guidelines for biofuel bunkering operations in India introduces potential challenges related to safety, fuel quality assurance, environmental protection, and operational consistency.”

The proposed circular aims to bridge these gaps by establishing a clear regulatory framework for permitting, operational protocols, safety management, documentation, environmental safeguards, training requirements, and enforcement mechanisms specific to biofuel bunkering.

By implementing these guidelines, the Directorate seeks to ensure safe and reliable bunkering practices, promote the use of cleaner fuels in alignment with India’s environmental commitments, and support the growth of sustainable maritime infrastructure.

The guidelines are crucial for facilitating the responsible uptake of biofuels in the shipping sector, aligning Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.

The full draft circular on biofuel bunkering guidelines can be obtained from DGS’ website here. Comments and inputs should be sent to: [email protected] and CC to: [email protected] by 18/07/2025.

 

Photo credit: Directorate General of Shipping
Published: 10 July 2025

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS



Trending