Classification society Lloyd’s Register recently published an article on the growing demand for replacement ships as shipowners face more carbon regulations targeting older, less efficient ships. Three Lloyd’s Register experts share their views on whether it’s wiser to retrofit an existing vessel to improve its carbon ratings or replace it with a new one: 

As Program Manager of LR’s Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, Charles Haskell is well-placed to outline challenges facing shipowners today as they weigh up the options of retrofits versus new so-called ‘future-proofed’ newbuild ships. The reality is no ship can be fully future-proofed yet because the marine fuels of the future are still under development and there are few rules, designs or builders, no crews, and no managers for the ships of tomorrow.

Perhaps most importantly from a Class point of view, there are no safety frameworks yet, though Haskell and his team are engaged in an ammonia-for-fuel project. It is focusing on a detailed quantitative safety risk assessment spanning several industrial sectors, outside shipping, over several decades.

But the reality is that ship designers cannot even offer blueprints yet; shipbuilders don’t know what materials will be required; repairers have no experience of new fuel technologies; ships’ crews are not trained to handle new fuels or operate ships which use them; and shipowners’ land-based staff, including experienced superintendents, will need to learn about new fuel supply systems, storage, and combustion technologies.

Haskell refers to the Maritime Just Transition Task Force, set up during COP26, in which LR was involved, which has concluded that no fewer than 800,000 seafarers will need to be trained by 2030.

Three decades of retrofits

Haskell has clear views on the question of retrofit or replace. He points to analysis from The Silk Alliance, an initiative set up by the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub of 11 members (now 12) that has developed a future fuel framework to enable the setting up of a scalable green corridor cluster. Their analysis has revealed that quite apart from existing ships, 20-30% of those that are built in the years ahead will need to undergo retrofits before 2050.

That means, Haskell explains, that the challenge facing owners and operators today is not only what to do with existing ships, especially younger ones; it is also how to ensure that ships designed and built in the balance of this decade can be retrofitted effectively and economically before the middle of the century.

Nikos Tsatsaros is LR’s New Constructions Sales Director. He has seen a significant change in owners’ thinking over the last year. “There is now a realisation that the clock is ticking,” he says. “We have moved on from theory; two years ago, they were asking ‘what is ammonia, what is methanol?’

“Our clients realise that they need a technical understanding of what is coming and to understand the technologies and how they work, how crews can be prepared, and how ships may be designed and operated. They certainly need to know that there will be an acceptable return on investment. And they realise that collaboration with charterers is essential.”

Complex charter negotiations

Tsatsaros reveals that charter negotiations on new ships are growing in complexity. For owners, adopting new technologies is about investment returns and therefore close attention is required to clauses in the charterparty agreement relating to ship performance. On new projects that are under development, Tsatsaros sees some charterers who are proving to be supportive, others who are not. More collaboration is required.

“We have an essential role to play here. Our vision is to be the trusted adviser to our clients, whether it be in new construction or retrofits. Charterers’ strategies vary and some say that extra costs are for an owners’ account. Others are more realistic If the cost of providing the service goes up, the charterer will have to pay more. I think charterers’ views are softening. It’s a matter of collaboration between different stakeholders.”

Retrofits on younger ships often make good sense, he says, but options become limited on older vessels where significant capital investment won’t pay back over the vessel’s operational lifespan. Meanwhile, some new technologies cannot be installed on existing ships and the cost of a retrofit could actually work out to be more expensive. In these cases, LR’s cost benefit analyses can prove invaluable, he says.

Tsatsaros also stresses the broad range of owners and their access to resources. The industry’s leading pioneers, such as major container lines, have sufficient muscle to test new fuels on their own, but most shipowners lack the resources for this.

“Smaller owners want advice on available options, techno-economic guidance, and involvement in joint development projects. We are engaged in a large number of these, across both newbuild and retrofit projects,” he says.

Practical aspects are key considerations. “When owners have understood the new technologies that are likely to become available, they are asking how ships can be made ready today for economically viable modifications tomorrow. And, of course, there are different levels of ‘readiness’.”

“As an adviser, we can step in and say: ‘These are the options. Here’s how we can help you. Let’s work with a designer, a shipyard, an engine builder, and others, to identify the best strategy and develop something that best suits your needs.’”

Speaking of the existing fleet, Tsatsaros says there is no time to lose. “We estimate that at least 45% of ships today will not be compliant with carbon intensity regulations in three years’ time. Owners are asking us many more questions; what’s happening in China, what’s happening in South Korea, are there enough shipyards?

“This last question is important from a retrofit perspective. If there are no newbuilding slots available, then retrofitting older ships may be the only option. If there is a proper cost analysis and a good charterparty where the charterer is willing to share the cost, then you have an asset with another ten years of viable operation. However, my concern is that charterers may not yet be ready to support retrofit projects. Of course, it depends, and must be viewed on a case-by-case basis.”

Note: The full article ‘Retrofit or newbuild? The challenge for shipowners seeking future carbon compliance’ can be found here. 

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 10 April, 2023