Alternative Fuels

Langh Ship switches to biofuel bunkers on its container vessel “Edith”

Including “Edith”, there are now five vessels in the Samskip-fleet operation on bio bunker fuel; fuel used is designated MDF1-100 and supplied by GoodFuels.

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2023

Admin

Finnish shipping company Langh Ship recently said the firm and Dutch charterer Samskip agreed to switch to biofuel operations for the Langh Ship-owned 750 TEU container vessel Edith in January 2023 after discussions between the two companies on how to further reduce the environmental impact of its vessels.

Edith is currently employed on a shortsea liner service between the Netherlands and the UK.

Laura Langh-Lagerlöf, Managing Director of Langh Ship, explains that the transition to biofuel will have a decisive impact to comply with the new IMO regulations.

“We used to operate the vessel on low sulphur, intermediate fuel oil, IFO 80. A main advantage of changing to biofuel is that it generates no fossil carbon emissions. Therefore, we are able to comply with the new CII-regulations,” she explained.

Samskip Head of Fleet Management – Vessel, Erik Hofmeester, said: “Samskip is committed to achieving its sustainability targets as outlined in our latest sustainability report. We have always practiced what we have preached because sustainability is in our DNA, and we are invested in the future; the future for green logistics, our planet, our economy and next generation seafarers. The use of biofuels today is instrumental for achieving such goals and Samskip will continue to be at the cutting edge of such initiatives.”

Another benefit of the clean and completely sulphur-free biofuel is a reduced need for maintenance on the fuel system and that the lubricating oil stays cleaner.

“The feedback from the vessel has been nothing but positive. Generally we think that the maintenance costs for the main engine will decrease due to cleaner fuel. We expect less wear on cylinder barrels and the piston ring area, but this can of course be verified only later through experience,” Laura Langh-Lagerlöf said.

Last, but not least, Laura Langh-Lagerlöf stressed the importance of improving the environmental performance of vessels in many ways.

“We think it is essential to have many alternative ways of tackling CO2 emissions. Biofuel allows ship owners to reduce the environmental impact by not having to invest in modifications to the vessel engine room and funnel area. But since biofuel is a limited resource, it is good to look into parallel solutions as well, such as exhaust gas treatment and carbon capture.”

Following biofuel trials in 2019, Samskip has gradually increased the number of ships in their fleet running the main engines with biofuel. Including Edith, there are now five vessels in the Samskip-fleet operation on biofuel. Bunkering of all vessels takes place in Rotterdam.

The fuel used is designated MDF1-100 and supplied by GoodFuels. It is formulated entirely from sustainable waste streams from the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive list. It has also earned International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.

“Reducing environmental impact is important to us, and we are glad to cooperate with Langh Ship in these matters. With Edith’s transition to biofuel, we are able to lower the overall carbon footprint of our transports even further,” Rene van Wijngaarden, Manager Vessel Chartering & Bunkering of Samskip, said.

Photo credit: Langh Ship
Published: 21 March, 2023

Business

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

Both signed a MoU to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China, focusing on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation and covering areas such as clean energy.

Published

4 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) on Friday (28 March) said they have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China in the maritime sector.

The MoU renewal was signed by MPA Chief Executive, Mr Teo Eng Dih, and Professor Shan Hongjun, President of DMU. This renewal builds on the successful collaboration established since 2021, and further strengthens talent development and knowledge exchange between both maritime ecosystems.

As part of the MOU, MPA and DMU will continue to engage in faculty exchanges, study visits and student exchanges in Singapore and Dalian, and joint maritime training and research programmes. Trainers from MPA, including subject matter experts and adjunct trainers, will contribute to courses, events and knowledge sharing.

The collaboration will focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation, covering areas such as clean energy and sustainable practices in the maritime sector, digital transformation of maritime operations, environmental management, maritime safety, navigational technologies, and port management and smart technologies.

DMU is home to world-class facilities, including two ocean-going training vessels and state-of-the-art research centre. A leader in autonomous ship technology and innovation in smart and sustainable shipping, the university has recently launched its 3rd ocean-going new generation autonomous training vessel.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, said, “The renewal of this MOU reflects the strong partnership between MPA and DMU. As the maritime industry evolves, our collaboration in maritime education and training is more crucial than ever in preparing the next generation of maritime professionals. This agreement will enhance maritime talent development and knowledge sharing between Singapore and China, fostering innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

MPA and partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to improve safety and efficiency of port operations, such as bunkering of alternative fuels and vessel navigation.

Published

4 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (26 March) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with several partners to promote knowledge-sharing initiatives and explore geospatial technologies to address real-world challenges in the republic.

Partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to strengthen preparedness, monitor sea level rise, and improve the safety and efficiency of port operations, such as vessel navigation, marine services and the bunkering of alternative fuels.

MPA signed a three-year MOU with Jurong Port, Singapore Cruise Centre Private Limited, Esri Singapore, Hexagon’s Safety Infrastructure and Geospatial Division, Nika, Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (A*STAR IHPC) and the Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP) in the College of Design and Engineering of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Geospatial tools use location-based data such as satellite images, traffic and weather data, and sensor readings from buoys and on land to create 2D and 3D visual insights.

These can help stakeholders monitor real-time conditions, manage risks, and plan operations more effectively by improving risk management and decision-making, and enhancing operational planning for improved safety and efficiency.

MPA also signed a three-year MOU with NUS to develop a skilled maritime geospatial workforce.

Under this partnership, MPA and NUS will explore the development of maritime geospatial courses for NUS undergraduate and post-graduate geography students, and a professional certification programme for mid-career professionals.

The maritime geospatial programmes will cover skills in 2D and 3D mapping, geospatial analytics, and advanced environmental and operations modelling. This will build a pipeline of talent equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive maritime geospatial innovation in the industry and government.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Biofuel

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Monjasa delivered a total of 900 mt of B30 biofuel, using tanker “Monjasa Thunder”, to NYK-operated vessel “Hestia Leader” at Port of Cristobal, marking the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama.

Published

5 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Marine fuels supplier Monjasa on Thursday (27 March) said it delivered a total of 900 metric tonnes (mt) of B30 biofuel to NYK-operated vessel Hestia Leader in the Port of Cristobal, Panama on 2 February.

This ship-to-ship operation was performed by the 19,991 dwt Monjasa Thunder and marked the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama and the establishment of a scalable 2nd generation marine biofuels supply chain. This setup is capable of supplying a total of 5,000-7,000 mt monthly.

On 24 March 2025, the Panama Canal Authority announced the introduction of a NetZero Slot designed to support and reward shipowners and operators on their journey towards decarbonisation.

General Manager Latin America, Jonas Bruslund, said: “The introduction of biofuels in Panama has progressed slower than in major bunkering hubs like Singapore or Rotterdam, mainly due to lack of local feedstock and customer commitments.”

“However, we have now developed a viable strategy with a longstanding business partner to ship biofuels products from Europe for the benefit of shipowners operating in the Panama Canal area.”

“The Panama Canal has a strong agenda to promote low-carbon fuels and higher energy efficiency and we are pleased to challenge the status quo and actively support these efforts.”

Monjasa established its local maritime logistics in 2015 and today manages seven vessels across the Atlantic and Pacific areas of the Panama Canal.

In the Americas, Monjasa has already established biofuels partnerships across the port of Callao in Peru and in Cartagena, Colombia.

As an ISCC-certified partner, Monjasa allows all involved parties to trace feedstock used to produce biofuels from the point of origin to the end consumer. On this first supply in Panama, the B30 product consisted of 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 70% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Monjasa still awaits the shift away from sporadic biofuels inquiries to a broader pick-up in demand. Until then, Monjasa aims to continue establishing a string of global biofuels supply locations to support the shipping industry in meeting IMO’s 2050 climate change commitments.

Photo credit: Monjasa
Published: 28 March, 2025