Alternative Fuels

GCMD-led consortium completes trials of sustainable biofuel bunker supply chains

Supply chain trials encompassed tracing biofuels from their production sites outside Singapore, to Singapore where the marine fuels were blended and bunkered.

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2023

Admin

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Tuesday (21 February) said it has successfully completed trialling two supply chains of biofuel blends sourced from different origins.

The supply chain trials encompassed tracing biofuels from their production sites outside Singapore, to Singapore where the fuels were blended and bunkered. Lab testing of the fuels continued until they were consumed onboard. These trials took place from 31 October 2022–15 February 2023 and involved five vessels; approximately 4,700 MT of sustainable biofuel blends were bunkered, the last batch of which will be consumed by end of February.

Operationalising the trials together with our project partners

Two sustainable biofuel blends were used in our trials. One is Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME), a type of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), blended with Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO); the other is UCOME blended with High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO). The UCOME used in both biofuel blends is produced from residue or feedstocks labelled 100% waste and is ISCC certified.

In the first supply chain, Chevron provided B24 VLSFO (24% biofuel blend) to CMA CGM Maupassant and MOL Endowment, the latter a vessel operated by ONE. Additionally, Chevron bunkered B20 HSFO (20% biofuel blend) in its own Singapore Voyager and in Elizabeth I.A. that is owned by Angelicoussis Group and managed by its oil tanker shipping unit, Maran Tankers Shipmanagement. In a separate supply chain, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels provided B24 VLSFO to Lycaste Peace that is owned by NYK and chartered to Astomos Energy Corporation.

GCMD as a neutral convenor

The supply chain trials were undertaken under business-as-usual conditions in which individual fuel purchasers nominated their fuel suppliers of choice, and bunkering took place with vessels on commercial routes. GCMD brought together marine fuel purchasers and suppliers, and balanced the dynamic needs of the many diverse stakeholders, vessel schedules, equipment and asset availabilities, spanning geographies and factoring in contingencies to complete the two supply chain trials. Alongside, GCMD coordinated with the surveyors, tracer technology and laboratory test providers to enable end-to-end tracing of biofuels during these trials. Collaborating and sharing transparently with willing project partners enabled these trials to take place successfully despite the complexities of the marine fuel supply chain and uncertainties in bunkering operations.

First announced at the end of July 2022, the full pilot involves 19 industry partners, with 13 vessels spanning the container, tanker, and bulker segments bunkering in Singapore and Rotterdam. The completed trials represent two of the five supply chains in the full pilot, which aims to establish an assurance framework for the supply chain of sustainable biofuels. This framework, to be further developed by GCMD and its partners, will also provide emissions abatement assurance for future synthetic and bio-derived drop-in fuels.

Ensuring traceability of sustainable biofuels supply chains

To ensure transparency and integrity of the supply chains for biofuels and biofuel blends from end-to-end, GCMD deployed a range of tracing techniques, including dosing with physical tracers, fingerprinting, and deploying a lock-and-seal methodology, all of which were complemented with laboratory testing and analyses at numerous pre-determined points from fuel production to consumption. The strong collaboration GCMD fostered with the marine fuel suppliers and purchasers ensured that the physical tracers were added, and biofuels and their blends were sampled as planned. This important partnership also allowed collection of shipboard samples and data along voyages so GHG emissions can be appropriately quantified. In addition, VPS witnessed the biofuel bunkering operations at all stages from source to supply, and conducted extensive laboratory tests to assess the quality of the biofuel and their blends.

On lessons learned with the completion of two supply chain trials, Dr. Prapisala Thepsithar, director of projects at GCMD and project lead on this drop-in fuel assurance pilot, said: “Through these trials, we have gained a better appreciation of the complexities of real-world operations. We have learned the hard lesson that not all tracing techniques are directly applicable for tracing sustainable biofuels as they stand, and we are currently undertaking efforts to refine their deployment. I am grateful for the support from and flexibility of our project partners in overcoming the roadblocks encountered during our trials. These learnings will inform our subsequent trials in the months ahead.”

Over the three months during which the trials took place, the quality of the biofuel blends remained stable. With the data collected from the completed trials and additional data to be collected from the three other supply chains, GCMD is working with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), one of its Impact Partners, to develop a robust framework for GHG accounting and conduct cost-benefit analysis of deploying biofuels.

On GCMD completing its trials for two supply chains of sustainable biofuels, Dr. Sanjay Kuttan, CTO of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, said: “The lack of assurance on the quality, quantity and emissions abatement of biofuels is a painpoint we identified from interviewing more than 100 industry stakeholders. These trials were curated to address this gap. In developing a framework to provide transparency and bolster the integrity of the biofuels supply chain, we hope to increase user confidence and decrease the barrier for wider adoption.”

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 21 February, 2023

Methanol

China launches first simulation training platform for methanol bunkering operations

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

China launched its first training platform to simulate methanol bunkering operations at Putuo District, Zhoushan on 15 January.

The Methanol Bunkering System Simulation Training Platform V1.0 was created to fill technical gaps in domestic methanol bunkering training and exercises, in light of the growing demand and popularity for methanol in the shipping industry.

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

The platform was jointly developed by Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering and Zhejiang Ocean University.

At the press conference , Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering successfully signed its first purchase agreement with Seacon Ships Management (Zhejiang), making Seacon the first customer to purchase the platform service.

Wang Guofeng, chairman of Seacon, said that the platform has great potential in improving crew operating efficiency and safety, and he looks forward to deeper cooperation with Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering in the future.

Professor Lu Jinshu, Vice President of Zhejiang Ocean University, said they will continuously improve the platform to contribute more in the field of green shipping solutions to the industry.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 January, 2025

Hydrogen

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Tanker’s power system, which will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will enable it to operate for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Klaipėda State Seaport Authority on Wednesday (22 January) said the first ever green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship in Lithuania has been moved from shipyard into water.

Leaving no trace on the environment, it will clean other vessels entering the port, accepting waste from them.

According to the current rules, vessels are obliged to hand over the waste they produce when they arrive and before they leave Klaipėda Port. The Seaport Authority was entrusted with the collection of the waste, and the company decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to further improve the quality of the ship waste collection service.

The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, as well as to ensure efficient waste management. The ship will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants. The tanker will be ready to work around the clock and collect up to 400 cubic metres of liquid waste.

The tanker is 42 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s power system will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of the work, the tanker will be able to operate in the port of Klaipėda for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

This ship building project with a total value of EUR 12 million (USD 12.5 million) has been commissioned by the Port Authority and is being built by West Baltic Shipyard together with Baltic Workboats under a joint operating agreement.

“We have not only launched a tanker, but also a new approach to port operations – cleaner, smarter and more environmentally friendly. This first ever hydrogen and electricity-powered ship is not only an innovative technological solution, but also an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s image as a modern maritime nation,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

“At the moment, the tanker is getting used to the seaport water, so to speak, and at the end of the year we expect it to start its important mission of taking care of the clean seaport environment. Such a decision will not leave a footprint on nature, but it will certainly leave a strong mark on our path to a greener future.”

In June last year, a symbolic keel-laying ceremony at the West Baltic Shipyard of the West Baltic Shipyard Group marked the start of the ship’s construction. To date, the hull has been fabricated and painted, with piping, valves, coolers, shaft lines, rudder feathers, heat and fire insulation installed.

Once the tanker is moved into the water, the engine room equipment will be installed, the interior of the wheelhouse will be redecorated, the electrical wiring and the main electrical engines will be installed, the hydrogen system will be installed and other work necessary for the operation of the ship will be carried out.

Photo credit: Klaipėda State Seaport Authority
Published: 23 January, 2025

Biofuel

Dublin Bay Cruises opts for HVO bunker fuel for passenger ship “St. Bridget”

Firm launched its eco-friendly initiative by moving from fossil fuels to HVO, becoming the first domestic passenger ship operator in Ireland to adopt this sustainable practice.

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

Dublin Bay Cruises opts for HVO bunker fuel to power passenger ship “St. Bridget”

Dublin Bay Cruises on Wednesday (22 January) announced the launch of its eco-friendly initiative by moving from fossil fuels to Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in their existing passenger ship St. Bridget.

The company said it is now the first domestic passenger ship operator in Ireland to adopt this sustainable practice aimed at reducing environmental impact while enhancing the marine experience for visitors.

In adapting the Circular Economy Policy they have remanufactured the engines of St Bridget, making her more fuel-efficient, and dramatically reducing emissions. By doing this, instead of building from scratch, they not only reduced waste but also took a major step toward a greener future.

This change will reduce emissions by up to 90%, which will exceed the climate targets set by the EU and Ireland. This thoughtful investment underscores Dublin Bay Cruises’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism.

“Recently Dublin Bay Cruises faced a crucial decision—whether to invest in a larger vessel for increased passenger numbers or to reconsider our approach and focus on sustainability,” said founder and Managing Director Eugene Garrihy.

“After careful thought, we chose the latter. Our choice reflects not just a business decision, but a responsibility to the environment and the future of our coastal communities. We need to slow things down.”

Garrihy added: “We are deeply aware of the privilege and responsibility we have to operate in UNESCOs Dublin Bay Biosphere, one of the most beautiful marine environments in the world. This initiative is a reflection of our commitment to preserving Dublin Bay for future generations while still providing our customers with an unforgettable and sustainable marine experience,”

The transition includes substantial investments in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency onboard with solar panels, and incorporating green technologies into its daily operations. Dublin Bay Cruises has also partnered with Failte Ireland’s “Climate Action Programme” and with local marine conservation groups to support biodiversity and the protection of the rich marine life found in Dublin Bay.

Being the first domestic passenger ship in Ireland to take this important step is not just a milestone for Dublin Bay Cruises, but also hopefully an encouragement for others working in tourism industries to take the leap and follow suit in safeguarding Ireland’s natural heritage.

The company added St. Bridget will now continue to serve as a passenger ship for at least another decade, with far fewer emissions than before.

Photo credit: Dublin Bay Cruises
Published: 23 January, 2025