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Innospec: Slow steaming offers economic and environmental rewards, but not without sacrifices

While slow steaming may help save fuel cost and lowers emissions, it may end up being a costly endeavour for ship owners. Innospec suggests looking at smart slow steaming instead, shares Nicea Ng.

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Slow steaming is often considered the easiest solution for overcoming both economic and environmental challenges.

However, doing so without risking the safety and long term efficiency of ships needs careful consideration by ship owners and operators, shares Nicea Ng, Marine Technical Specialist, Innospec Limited.

“Every vessel has an optimum engine load where the combustion is almost complete and the SFOC (Specific Fuel Oil Consumption) is at minimum level,” states Ng.

“When an engine is running on a low load condition, the cylinder pressure and temperatures are lower which leads to poorer ignition and incomplete combustion of bunker fuel.

“Though reducing speed offers a better CII rating; this may also lead to energy and combustion efficiency losses that cause preventable damage to vessel machinery.

“Vessels with high engine output will need costly retrofit solutions with high CAPEX in order to permanently work at lower loads.

“From experience, slow steaming usually results in a variety of negative effect on vessel engines.”

Adverse effects of slow steaming on ship engines

Poor Atomisation

Higher volume of fuel trapped at the injector tip (sac) delivering uncalculated fuel to the cylinder and increasing the likelihood of dripping. Increased fouling and carbon deposits all contribute to poor atomisation and subsequent drop in performance.

Poor Combustion Characteristics

At reduced ME load operation, inadequate turbo charger speeds are generated to provide adequate air to the combustion chamber, leading to lower combustion efficiency, unburnt fuel and the formation of harmful emissions.

Reduced Air Flow

Reduces engine efficiency and causes fouling in the air supply/scavenge system. Subsequently this can lead to very high differential and exhaust temperatures which can damage engine components and lead to burned exhaust valve as one example.

Cold Corrosion

Corrosive wear on the cylinder liners caused by acid condensation due to the drop in engine operation temperature caused by slow steaming operation.

Fouling Effect

On Turbocharger (turbine side),

  • On Exhaust Gas Boiler (heat exchanger pipes)
  • On Injector (clogged nozzles),
  • On Piston rings (deposit accumulation - lack of sealing)
rsz innospec 1
T/C Untreated fuel
Picture 2
T/C treated fuel with Octamar

‘Smart slow steaming’ with Octamar™ Ultra HF & Octamar™ Complete – fuel treatment systems with Class Verification

Combustion catalysts have a positive impact on the fuel’s combustion profile by providing a faster and more complete combustion of regular fuel at any load condition.

With a significant reduction in uncaptured fuel energy, vessels have seen 2.1-3.9% fuel savings which have contributed to better CII ratings.

“Even till today, issues with slow steaming have remained the same. However, with new regulations and changes in fuel quality over the years, Innospec continues to improve its technology to optimise today’s marine fuel,” informed Ng.

“Octamar™ Ultra HF & Octamar™ Complete allows vessels to slow steam with associated benefits by minimising the adverse effects listed above while improving fuel consumption and emissions.”

The unique treatment package improves energy efficiency of ships by reducing ignition delay, cleaning injectors, and reducing afterburn to mitigate all the issues associated with slow steaming while decreasing combustion properties and early max heat release to maintain energy efficiency.

Screenshot 2023 05 29 at 12.25.22 PM

“ClassNK has also verified several trials conducted over a decade which demonstrated the active fuel consumption (2.1-3.9%) and emissions reduction of Octamar™ technology,” she highlights adding the Octamar ™ solution can be further included in vessels’ SEEMP III.

Screenshot 2023 05 29 at 12.25.40 PM
horizontal innospec info

Note: Readers may contact Innospec Limited for more information on Octamar™ Ultra HF & Octamar™ Complete at: [email protected]

Related: Innospec Inc. retains Gold rating from EcoVadis for sustainability performance
Related: ClassNK verifies improved engine performance data of Innospec Octamar™ Combustion Catalyst Series
Related: Innospec Fuel Specialties technical bulletin: Considerations when heating VLSFO and Case Studies
Related: Innospec Fuel Specialties technical bulletin: Why are there no Cold Flow Improvers (CFI) for VLSFO?
Related: Innospec Octamar HF-10 Plus receives ClassNK certification for VLSFO stability performance
Related: Innospec highlights important overview on handling fuel instability issue of VLSFO|
Related: Innospec launches Octamar™ series of additives for new blends of IMO 2020 bunker fuels

Photo credit: Innospec/ Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash
Published: 29 May, 2023

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

4.46 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA data.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port decreased by 9.1% on year in January 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.46 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,461,710 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt (4,906,100 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 1.66 million mt (zero from 1.66 million mt), 2.43 million mt (-15% from 2.86 million mt), 900 (+100% from zero), 3,100 mt (-77% from 13,500 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 16,000 (+100% from zero), 92,000 mt (+103% from 45,300 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero).

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 6,600 mt (-36.5% from 10,400) and zero (from zero).

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 5.2% on year in December 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 4.6% on year in November 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 10.8% on year in October 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue to increase by 2.8% on year in September 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 7.2% on year in August 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 3.3% on year in July 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain 8.7% in June 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.7% in May 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 0.6% on year in April 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.4% on year in March 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 18.8% on year in February 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 12.1% on year in January 2024

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Firm is currently in advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia to produce bio-LNG.

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Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Straits Bio-LNG, a privately owned supplier of bio-LNG, is aiming to deliver 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) of bio-LNG per year in Singapore, according to SEA-LNG on Thursday (13 February).

The Singapore-based company, led by SK Tan as CEO, is doing so in response to the growing demand for LNG. LNG bunkering volumes have grown significantly in key bunkering hubs as more LNG-fuelled vessels have entered into operation. 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) saw a dramatic four-fold increase in 2024 to almost 340,000 mt, SEA-LNG said in a statement announcing Straits Bio-LNG joining the coalition. 

Headquartered in Singapore, the company boasts a growing team led by SK Tan as CEO.  

Yiyong He, Director at Straits Bio-LNG, said: “We’re firmly convinced in the viability of the LNG pathway to decarbonise the shipping industry. With its very low carbon intensity and improving commerciality, liquified biomethane will be a critical piece of the puzzle for decarbonising the sector.”

“By joining SEA-LNG, we’re proud to be part of a collection of first movers making real strides to make the LNG pathway a tangible reality today.”

Straits Bio-LNG aims to reach its bio-LNG supply goal by using pioneering methods. It is currently in the advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia. 

Both Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and EFB are sustainable biomass resources listed in the “List of Materials Eligible for ISCC EU Certification” and are therefore compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, added: “The Port of Singapore is the largest global bunkering hub. As seen in our View from the Bridge report, 2024 saw record growth in LNG and liquified biomethane bunkering, but we need more fuel to meet upcoming demand.”

“The use of liquefied biomethane as a marine fuel can reduce GHG emissions by up to 80% compared to marine diesel on a full well-to-wake basis. When produced from the anaerobic digestion of waste materials, such as manure, POME or EFB, methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is captured, resulting in negative emissions of up to -190% compared with diesel."

An independent study by the Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence at Nanyang Technical University in Singapore found that pure bio-LNG could cover up to 13% of the total energy demand for shipping fuels in 2050, rising to 63% for a 20% blending ratio. 

SEA-LNG added MPA has firmly established itself as a leader in the LNG pathway, with suppliers such as Straits Bio-LNG reinforcing this position. 

Recently, the port launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

“Straits Bio-LNG will play a critical role in furthering the expansion of liquified biomethane at scale to meet the demand and continuing to showcase the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic solution for shipowners to decarbonise their operations, starting today,” it said. 

Related: Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

 

Photo credit: Straits Bio-LNG
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Winding up

Singapore: Final meetings scheduled for Gagarmayang Maritime and related companies

Other companies involved are Pramoni Maritime Pte Ltd, Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd, Anjasmoro Maritime Pte Ltd and Indradi Maritime Pte Ltd.

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The final meetings of members of Gagarmayang Maritime Pte Ltd and related companies, has been scheduled to take place on 12 March, according to the company’s liquidators on a notice posted on Wednesday (12 February) on the Government Gazette.

The other companies involved in the matter are Pramoni Maritime Pte Ltd, Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd, Anjasmoro Maritime Pte Ltd and Indradi Maritime Pte Ltd.

The meetings will be held by way of electronic means at 11am for the purpose of having an account laid before the members showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the liquidators.

The details of the liquidators are as follows:

Hamish Alexander Christie
c/o H.A. Christie & Co
20 Collyer Quay, #11-05
Singapore 049319

Related: Singapore: Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd and related companies to be wound up voluntarily
Related: Creditors meeting for Anjasmoro Maritime and affiliated sister firms to be held in Oct

 

Photo credit: Benjamin-child
Published: 14 February, 2025

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