Bunker Fuel

NTSB report dismisses bunker fuel as cause of Singapore-registered “Dali” crashing into Baltimore bridge

After numerous fuel testing on the LSMGO bunker fuel “Dali” was using, NTSB preliminary report highlighted that ‘the test results did not identify any concerns related to the quality of the fuel’.

Published

4 months ago

May 15, 2024

Admin

Singapore-registered “Dali” crashing into Baltimore bridge

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday (14 May) has dismissed contaminated bunker fuel as a cause behind Singapore-registered Dali crashing into Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA in its latest report.

This was the latest finding of NTSB in its preliminary report, titled Contact of Containership Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Subsequent Bridge Collapse, investigating the fatal incident.

The vessel struck the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, on 26 March at about 1.30pm (Singapore Time), causing the bridge to collapse.

Following the collision which killed six people, speculation was rife whether contaminated bunker fuel played a role in the containership losing power and crashing into the bridge.

NTSB found that the ship used three main grades of bunker fuel for the main engine and electrical generators: low-sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO), low-sulphur heavy fuel oil, and heavy fuel oil.

Dali carried an estimated 1.8 million gallons of fuel in dedicated vessel fuel tanks. None of the vessel’s dedicated fuel tanks were damaged.

The last time Dali crew switched fuel was on the evening of 21 March, five days before the accident, when they switched to burning LSMGO in all engines upon entering US territorial waters (12 miles off the Atlantic coast), as required by emission regulatory requirements.

The containership took on various amounts of all three types of fuel in Newark, New Jersey, on 19 March after the month-long trip from Sri Lanka. Fuel-sample analysis results indicated that the LSMGO fuel bunkered in Newark, which was the same type of fuel in use during the accident events, complied with international standards and regulations.

According to the report, NTSB said: “The test results did not identify any concerns related to the quality of the fuel.”

On 28 March, the owner of the ship took samples of the LSMGO that was being burned at the time of the accident. At NTSB direction, the owner transferred the samples to an independent laboratory.

“The test results did not identify any concerns related to the quality of the fuel,” it said.

On 11 April, additional fuel samples were taken from all fuel tanks and various fuel supply manifolds on board the vessel; samples were tested by an independent lab.

“Fuel-sample analysis results indicated that the LSMGO fuel being burned at the time of the accident complied with international standards and regulations. The test results did not identify any concerns related to the quality of the fuel,” NTSB added.

First series of blackouts when in port

Instead, NTSB found Dali experienced two electrical blackouts 10 hours before leaving Baltimore on 25 March during in-port maintenance. The first in-port blackout was caused by the mechanical blocking of the online generator’s exhaust gas stack. The second blackout in port was related to insufficient fuel pressure for the online generator.

Second series of blackouts when leaving port

Screenshot 2024 05 15 at 11.50.41 AM

NTSB also found Dali experienced two electrical blackouts when it was leaving Port of Baltimore when electrical breakers that fed most of the vessel’s equipment and lighting unexpectedly tripped.

The NTSB is still investigating the electrical configuration following the first in-port blackout and potential impacts on the events during the accident voyage.

It also said it will continue evaluating the design and operation of Dali’s power distribution system including its breakers.

“NTSB is working with parties to immediately assess their bridges and determine whether pier protection needs to be improved,” it added.

Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Limited, the vessel’s owner, owns 55 ships—a mix of containerships including Dali, bulk carriers, and tankers.

As of 26 March, Singapore-based Synergy Marine Group, the vessel manager who provided the crew and operated the vessel for the owner, managed 55 ships under Panama, Marshall Islands, Hong Kong, Liberia, and Singapore flags, including Dali.

Note: The full marine investigation preliminary report by NTSB titled ‘Contact of Containership Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Subsequent Bridge Collapse’ can be found here.

Photo credit: National Transportation Safety Board
Published: 15 May 2024

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LNG Bunkering

BV VeriFuel participates in first LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai

VeriFuel, Bureau Veritas’ Marine Fuel Services programme designed to facilitate future developments of the marine fuel industry, successfully participated in its first LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai.

Published

16 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Admin

BV VeriFuel participates in first LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai

VeriFuel, Bureau Veritas' Marine Fuel Services programme designed to facilitate the future developments of the marine fuel industry, last week celebrated a milestone in LNG bunkering in Shanghai.

VeriFuel successfully participated in its first LNG bunkering operation about two weeks ago in Shanghai.

“This marks a significant step forward as we expand our service offerings to meet the growing demand for sustainable fuel solutions,” it said in a social media post.

“With more deliveries already on the way, our new service line is ready to support your LNG bunkering needs. We look forward to partnering with you on this exciting journey towards a more sustainable future.”

According to Bureau Veritas, VeriFuel provides the latest technology in order to monitor global marine fuel activities.

In 50 countries, VeriFuel provides the inspection services that are performed by in-house bunker surveyors based on uniform procedures and reporting.

Photo credit: VeriFuel
Published: 10 September, 2024

Methanol

Methanex to acquire OCI Global international methanol business

Transaction includes OCI’s interest in two methanol facilities in Beaumont, Texas, a low-carbon methanol production and marketing business and a currently idled methanol facility in Netherlands.

Published

16 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Admin

Methanex to acquire OCI Global international methanol business

Methanex Corporation (Methanex) on Sunday (8 September) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire OCI Global’s (OCI) international methanol business for USD 2.05 billion.

The transaction includes OCI’s interest in two world-scale methanol facilities in Beaumont, Texas, one of which also produces ammonia. The transaction also includes a low-carbon methanol production and marketing business and a currently idled methanol facility in the Netherlands.

“This is a unique opportunity to create value by acquiring two highly attractive North American methanol assets that will further strengthen our global production base and we expect it will be immediately accretive to free cash flow per share,” said Rich Sumner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Methanex.

“The Beaumont plants benefit from access to North America’s abundant and favourably-priced supply of natural gas feedstock, and are expected to increase our global methanol production by over 20 percent.”

“We believe the transaction will provide significant long-term value to Methanex shareholders while aligning with our strategic objectives of industry leadership, operational excellence, and financial resiliency,” said Mr. Sumner.

“From an operating perspective, we have a shared culture of safety and operational excellence, and we expect the OCI team will help us build new skills in ammonia while enhancing our capabilities in the evolving business of low carbon methanol production and marketing.”

Nassef Sawiris, Executive Chairman of OCI, added, “We are pleased with the opportunity to achieve a significant ownership position and are highly confident in Methanex’s ability to create enduring value for shareholders. As the global leader committed to safety and operational excellence, we identified Methanex as the natural owner of OCI Methanol at the outset of our strategic process, which we initiated in the spring of 2023.”

As part of the transaction, Methanex will acquire the following:

A methanol facility in Beaumont, Texas with an annual production capacity of 910,000 tonnes of methanol and 340,000 tonnes of ammonia. This plant was restarted in 2011 and since that time the plant has been upgraded with USD 800 million of capital for full site refurbishment and debottlenecking.
A 50 percent interest in a second methanol facility also in Beaumont, Texas, operated by the joint venture Natgasoline LLC (Natgasoline). The Natgasoline plant was commissioned in 2018 and has an annual capacity of 1.7 million tonnes of methanol, of which Methanex’s share will be 850,000 tonnes.
OCI HyFuels, which produces low-carbon methanol and sells industry-leading volumes with trading and distribution capabilities for renewable natural gas (RNG). With nine years of experience in the low-carbon methanol business and with an array of blue-chip customers, this will enhance Methanex’s existing Low Carbon Solutions function with additional expertise in this developing segment.
A methanol facility in Delfzijl, Netherlands with an annual capacity to produce 1 million tonnes of methanol. This facility is not currently in production due to unfavourable pricing for natural gas feedstock.

Closing of the transaction is expected in the first half of 2025. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is subject to receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other closing conditions including TSX approval for the issuance of Methanex shares to OCI.

The transaction is also subject to approval by a simple majority of the shareholders of OCI. The largest shareholder of OCI, has signed an agreement to vote for the transaction.

Photo credit: OCI Global
Published: 10 September, 2024

Alternative Fuels

Corvus Energy gas-safe marine fuel cell system receives type approval by DNV

Firm said the system is the first Fuel Cell System designed to be inherently gas-safe, making it the safest fuel cell system in the market.

Published

16 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Admin

Corvus Energy gas-safe marine fuel cell system receives type approval by DNV

Corvus Energy, supplier of energy storage systems (ESS) for maritime applications, on Wednesday (4 September) announced that the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System has received Type Approval from classification society DNV.

The system, which was developed through the three-year-long H2NOR project, is the first Fuel Cell System (FCS) designed to be inherently gas-safe, making it the safest fuel cell system in the market.

Corvus Energy said receiving type approval from DNV confirmed that the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System meets the most stringent performance and safety standards required by the maritime industry.

Olaf Drews, Head of Engines & Pressurized Equipment Maritime, said: “It is a special fuel cell system, because the Pelican uses nitrogen for inerting of the fuel cell space.”

“It is the first fuel cell system that uses this technology and this brings it to a very preferred safety level. This is a milestone, and we look forward to the first ship project.”

Despite technology improvements and advancements in battery electric vessels, most vessels cannot achieve zero-emission operations for extended periods of time using batteries alone. For vessels on longer routes and vessels that are unable to charge often enough, we need to add clean fuel and fuel cells to enable extended zero-emission capabilities.

CEO of Corvus Energy, Fredrik Witte, said: “Toyota’s unsurpassed knowledge in developing high-quality and efficient fuel cells, in addition to the strong collaboration and high level of maritime experience among the partners in this development project, has been key.”

“This is a milestone for net zero shipping. We now have a high-quality range extender to add to our existing ESS portfolio with the scalability and the safety needed to be a real driver in the future of marine decarbonization.”

The first Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System is produced and ready to be installed onboard MS Skulebas, a 35-meter fishing and training vessel owned by Vestland County and operated by Måløy Upper Secondary School in Norway.

The vessel already has a 1 MWh battery system onboard. By adding the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System and hydrogen storage, the vessel will be able to operate for four days on zero emission.

Photo credit: Corvus Energy
Published: 10 September, 2024