Finnish shipping company ESL Shipping Ltd., part of Aspo Plc., Thursday (25 October) said its vessel m/s Viikki was fuelled in Raahe, Finland with 100% renewable liquefied biogas (LBG) to transport iron ore for the Swedish steel company SSAB.
This marks the first time when 100% renewable LBG is used for maritime transport in Finland, it said.
LBG reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to fossil fuels. The biogas was supplied by Nordic gas sector and energy market expert Gasum.
“This marks another milestone in our long continuum of sustainability-related investments and actions of recent years,” said Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL Shipping.
We have been doing long-term environmental work together with SSAB for years and now we are taking a new, significant step towards fossil-free maritime transport.”
The wider use of biogas has been delayed by the relatively limited availability of biogas at ports. There is also the cost factor to consider but nowadays more and more companies are seeing the value of reducing emissions throughout their supply chains.
One of the forerunners is SSAB who aims to bring fossil-free steel to the market as the world’s first steel company as early as 2026. The entire company’s operations are scheduled to be fossil-free by 2045.
ESL Shipping has made significant investments to improve the energy efficiency and eco-friendliness of its fleet. The LNG-fueled newbuilding m/s Viikki and its sister vessel Haaga, both delivered in 2018, are the eco-friendliest dry bulk cargo vessels in the world.
Related: ESL Shipping secures long-term LNG bunker supply
Photo credit: ESL Shipping Ltd.
Published: 12 June, 2020
First newbuild due for delivery in 2021 after being launched at the yard in April, with second and third vessels set to be delivered in the first half of 2022.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will start supplying biofuel (Biodiesel 5) to traditional Abras starting July this year, it says in statement.
To test its implementation, MOL plans to install one sail on a 100,000 dwt bulk carrier; it has already obtained an AIP from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai for the design.
Other partners in the agreement are Italian Classification Society RINA and China Classification Society; focus will be on hydrogen and ammonia as marine fuel.
‘Biofuels turned out to be very good options because they have zero or very, very low sulphur compared to fossil fuels,’ says NREL Senior Research Engineer.
BIMCO’s Deputy Secretary General argues what is missing are market-based measures for evening out operating expenses between old and new ships.
On 5th June 2021, VPS carried out a Remaining On Board (R.O.B.) survey on board a Singapore-registered bunker tanker at short notice by the Charterer and quickly identified the theft of 98 metric tons of bunker fuel.
The Bunkerchain Pte Ltd and Helmsman LLC sponsored event will be moderated by Gabian Chew, Senior Editor of Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
No quarantine required if vessels have not called at Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa during the 21 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong port, according to Marine Department notice.
CCIC discuss the progression of MFM technology for bunkering at Singapore port with Manifold Times; and possible development of a primary facility for MFM calibration.
‘The acquisition of PGI Industries will enhance VPS’ preventative maintenance services offered to the power sector, increasing protection and sustainability of the asset,’ says Malcolm Cooper, CEO, VPS.
A foreign vessel was involved in an alleged unauthorised STS incident with bunker tanker Pearl Melody on 5 June, Director and General Manager of Consort Bunkers tells Manifold Times.
14 Jun 2021
