The LNG Marine Fuel Institute (LNG MFI) on Monday (7 December) changed its name to the Clean Marine Fuel Institute (Clean MFI) to better reflect the global shipping industry’s changing focus to decarbonising marine fuels.
Clean MFI CEO Margot Matthews said when the institute was first established in 2017, the focus of the maritime industry was on the human health impacts of shipping—specifically SOx (sulphur) and also NOx (nitrogen oxides) and particulates.
“This was driven by impending sulphur regulations from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a specialised UN agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships,” according to Ms Matthews.
“Back then, discussions around alternative marine fuels were limited primarily to liquefied natural gas (LNG), as it addressed particulate reduction and significantly reduced SOx and NOx emissions with a material reduction (30+ percentage) in greenhouse gases.
“However, as 2020 approached and with the IMO having primarily dealt with the sulphur regulations, the IMO’s focus shifted to developing regulations around decarbonising shipping and its ambition for the international shipping industry to reduce its average carbon intensity by up to 40 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent in 2050, compared to 2008.
“At Clean MFI we understand that this will take time. Currently, there are no zero-emission alternative fuels available commercially. To enable these, both the technology and regulations are being developed in parallel with fuel supply.
Ms Matthews said using a two-pronged approach to the goal of decarbonising global shipping would mean growing the existing LNG ship fleet and bunkering capacity, while at the same time working efficiently and effectively on developing zero-emission fuels.
“It’s not a case of doing one or the other – we need both,” she said. “To reach the goals of the IMO we need to be working together on zero emission fuels as the ultimate objective and using cleaner fuels such as LNG during the transition period.”
“The IMO GHG emission targets create opportunities for us to adopt alternative marine fuels and, along with our members, we are committed to making this happen,” Ms Matthews concluded. “Our success will be measured through how efficiently, effectively and sustainably we are able to help our members turn this into a reality.”
Photo credit and source: Clean Marine Fuel Institute
Published: 8 December, 2020
A total 4.16 million metric tonnes (mt) of bunkers was sold at the republic in July, more than 3.88 million mt posted during July 2019, reports MPA data.
Japanese shipowners forecast June bunkers consumption to drop by 20% from the same month last year, on the back of reduced operating rates of their customers.
The world’s first zero-emission electric propulsion bunker tankers were ordered by Asahi Tanker, a member of the ‘e5 Consortium’, in late March.
Bunkers sold at republic totalled 47.46 million mt from January to December 2019, 4.7% compared to similar period last year.
Delivered premiums for HS380 bunker fuel have risen to an average of $9/t in June, up from $6.50/t in May.
Peter Ng Yong Kwang has left the company effective 13 April, 2018; after joining in September 2017.
Top three positive movers in 2021 were Hong Lam Fuels Pte Ltd (+14); Sirius Marine Pte Ltd (+12); and TFG Marine (+11); according to the latest data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Webinar will offer delegates insights on the prevention of operational issues when using VLSFOs, along with an update on biofuels and bunker fuel quality trends for 2021 and its forecast for the current year.
Heating VLSFOs to prevent cold flow issues causes issues related to distillate ageing, and there is a gentle balance to be maintained when handling the product.
Research into n-paraffin distribution of VLSFOs has shown that they not only differ from MGO, but significantly differ from each other as well, states bulletin.
Bunker Holding and Dan-Bunkering have decided not to appeal the city court ruling in the case where the companies were on trial for breaching EU sanctions against Syria, states USTC.
Poll shows market participants think Singapore’s future as a bunkering hub in the near term will be impacted most by growth in alternative bunker fuels and intensifying competition from other ports in Asia.
