Alternative Fuels

IBIA: Guidelines for alternative bunker fuels further considered by IMO

Draft guidelines for some alternative marine fuels require further work intersessionally for consideration and finalization at CCC 10 in September 2024 with a view to adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

Published

2 months ago

October 6, 2023

Admin

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (22 September) published an article elaborating on guidelines for the safe design and operation of ships using alternative bunker fuels that were considered further by IMO’s CCC Sub-Committee (CCC 9) held from 20 to 29 September 2023:

A suite of guidelines for the safe design and operation of ships using alternative fuels (ammonia, hydrogen, LPG and other low flashpoint fuels) were considered further by IMO’s CCC Sub-Committee (CCC 9) held from 20 to 29 September 2023. Whilst progress was made on some aspects, and the draft LPG Guidelines finalised with a view to adoption at MSC 108 in May 2024, the draft guidelines for other alternative fuels require further work intersessionally for consideration and finalization at CCC 10 in September 2024 with a view to adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

Specific provisions associated with the bunkering of the alternative fuels, in respect of mitigation of the risks to the ship associated with the fuels, were considered in detail for ammonia and hydrogen. From the discussions it is clear that both present unique risks that require detailed consideration and provisions to mitigate those risks.

For ammonia it is not just the risks associated with toxicity, for example, to the extent that it may prevent the concept of safe-haven/refuge on board being applicable for certain ship types, that requires mitigation but also the corrosivity of the product and its effect on materials and so design of equipment.

For storage, among the three different storage options for ammonia, i.e. refrigerated ammonia, semi-refrigerated ammonia and pressurized ammonia, only the former two should be considered for the purpose of the interim guidelines as a first stage, and that the use of pressurized ammonia systems would be possible through the alternative design process; portable tank provisions for ammonia should not be specifically developed.

For hydrogen the difficulty of containing leaks presents safety challenges and it was agreed that during bunkering operations leaks of hydrogen should be able to freely escape without accumulating to mitigate risk of fire or explosion. In this regard, as small leakages may form hydrogen pockets and coupled with hydrogen’s lower explosion limit and that it is impossible to de-energise electrical equipment in time, Emergency Shut-Down (ESD) principles have been removed from the current draft Guidelines.

Concerns were also expressed that ships using fuels such as LNG and methanol were being built with inadequate arrangements to debunker fuels (e.g. for pre dry dock preparations and emergencies (grounding, collisions)), due to a lack of related provisions in the IGF Code or Guidelines. It was decided not to include any such provisions at this time, but may be included when developing the draft interim guidelines for other alternate fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

A summary of progress is provided below.

Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using hydrogen as fuel

These draft guidelines have been developed further. They are goal-based and provide provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using hydrogen as fuel to minimise the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment. Additional intersessional work will be carried out with the aim to present the progress to CCC 10 (September 2024) with a view to finalization and adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel

These draft guidelines have been developed further and provide an international standard for ships using ammonia as fuel. They are goal-based and will provide provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using ammonia as fuel to minimise the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment. Additional intersessional work will be carried out with the aim to present the progress to CCC 10 (September 2024) with a view to finalization and adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

Interim Guidelines for Use of LPG Cargo as Fuel

Due to the urgent industry need, CCC 9 developed these draft guidelines to provide unified specific guidance for ships using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargo as fuel. Written in a goal-based manner they are expected to be agreed at MSC 108 in May 2024

Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using low flashpoint oil fuels

These guidelines are expected to provide an international standard for ships using oil-based fossil fuels, synthetic fuels and biofuels with a flashpoint between 52°C and 60°C. A Correspondence Group will continue to consider them and submit a report to CCC 10 (September 2024).

Photo credit: IBIA
Published: 6 October, 2023

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Methanol

Marine Fuels 360: Methanol presents easiest path towards maritime decarbonisation, says DNV

Captain Singh was confident the bunkering infrastructure in Singapore will be ready to welcome methanol-fuelled vessels due to the coordinated efforts between various agencies.

Published

9 hours ago

December 6, 2023

Admin

The use of methanol as a bunker fuel presents the least path of resistance towards maritime decarbonisation, believes the Principal Consultant, Head, Research and Development, Maritime Advisory, SE Asia, Pacific, and India at classification society DNV.

Captain Satinder Singh Virdi was speaking amongst panellists in the Methanol Panel session at Marine Fuels 360 on Tuesday (28 November) when he offered an opinion about reasons behind the increasing awareness of methanol as a marine fuel.

“The ease of adopting methanol is perhaps one of the reasons. The product exists as a liquid at ambient temperature and has been carried on vessels for the last 80 years, so it is not something new,” he stated.

“What is new is we're going to use methanol as a bunker fuel. Ease of adoption, ESG compliance, as well as getting closer to decarbonisation goals are the drivers for shipowners adopting methanol.”

According to Captain Singh, the trend for methanol-fuelled newbuildings have continued in October where DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform recorded 230 vessels on order where 156 comprises of containerships.

“The trend started when Maersk increased their newbuild order of methanol-fuelled vessels; before that it was mostly LNG as an alternate fuel,” he said.

Captain Singh was confident the bunkering infrastructure in Singapore will be ready to welcome methanol-fuelled vessels due to the coordinated efforts between the Singapore Shipping Association, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, and other organisations.

“We are all working together to support Singapore’s future maritime operations. Singapore is an international maritime centre, and we want to establish ourselves as the leading maritime city,” he explained.

“I would call this a cohesive action by all relevant partners, such as shipowners, charterers, classification societies, ship managers, bunker testing firms, mass flow meter manufacturers, bunkering companies, and more.

“It is important for Singapore to be seen as a fair supporter of bunkering in terms of reliability and reputation, and if things go wrong actions are taken very strictly to ensure transparency and quality. So, in that way I am satisfied to say that ‘yes’ we have what it takes to make methanol bunkering happen.”

Photo credit: Informa
Published: 6 November 2023

Ammonia

Höegh Autoliners, Sumitomo to collaborate on ammonia bunker fuel supply for PCTCs in Singapore, Jacksonville

Duo will embark on a comprehensive evaluation of the compatibility between Höegh Autoliners PCTC newbuilds and ammonia bunkering facilities at the identified bunker ports.

Published

9 hours ago

December 6, 2023

Admin

Höegh Autoliners, Sumitomo to collaborate on ammonia bunker fuel supply for PCTCs in Singapore, Jacksonville

Norway-based pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) vessel owner and operator Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (5 December) said it has agreed with Sumitomo Corporation to look into the supply of clean ammonia as a bunker fuel at the ports of Singapore and Jacksonville, USA from 2027 onwards.

The two companies have formalised their commitment through a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the supply and delivery of clean ammonia as a next-generation sustainable maritime fuel for Höegh Autoliners’ upcoming Aurora Class PCTC vessels.

The twelve vessels are set to become the largest and most eco-friendly car carriers ever built and they will have the capability to run on zero-carbon ammonia or carbon neutral methanol.

“The Letter of Intent symbolises a remarkable step in the realisation and development of the production and consumption of clean maritime fuels. The collaboration hopes to stimulate the upscaling of the supply and demand of clean ammonia for maritime usage,” Höegh Autoliners said in a statement.

Both companies view clean ammonia as a promising future fuel for the maritime industry, offering substantial potential in addressing the challenges associated with greenhouse gas emissions in global shipping.

To support this vision, both entities have launched a range of initiatives throughout the ammonia value chain, with a primary focus on making clean ammonia a viable choice for maritime fuel and thereby achieving significant reductions in emissions from the global shipping sector.

Moving forward, the companies will embark on a comprehensive evaluation of the compatibility between the PCTC vessels and the ammonia bunkering facilities at the identified bunker ports.

They endeavour to make necessary adjustments to specifications for both “shore-to-ship” and “ship-to-ship” bunkering operations and undertake safety assessments to establish standardised operational protocols and regulations in close coordination with pertinent government agencies.

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 6 December, 2023

Alternative Fuels

CENIT and Hinicio to explore feasibility of zero-carbon bunkers in Colombia

Mission is to explore the feasibility of producing, storing, supplying, and exporting zero-carbon bunker fuels at strategic port locations in Colombia, says centre.

Published

9 hours ago

December 6, 2023

Admin

The Centre for Innovation in Transport (CENIT) on Tuesday (5 December) said it was teaming up with Hinicio, a strategy consulting firm focused on sustainable energy and mobility, for a project funded by The World Bank in Colombia.

CENIT said their mission was to explore the feasibility of producing, storing, supplying, and exporting zero-carbon bunker fuels at strategic port locations in Colombia.

“The shipping industry is poised to become a major demand centre for zero-carbon fuels, particularly green hydrogen-based options like green ammonia and green methanol,” CENIT said in a social media post.

“And it will play a pivotal role in transporting these zero-carbon fuels from emerging production hubs in Latin America to high-demand centres in Europe and East Asia.”

“This project takes us a step closer to decarbonising ports and fostering a sustainable future for maritime transportation.”

Photo credit: Luis Desiro on Unsplash
Published: 6 December, 2023