Alternative Fuels

Port of London Authority carbon reduction plans on track with HVO bio bunker fuel

Introduction of sustainable biofuel, in place of diesel in its fleet of vessels as an interim measure was the key initial step in improving performance.

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2023

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The Port of London Authority (PLA) on Tuesday (28 February) said it has achieved a major milestone, halving its carbon emissions in 2022, as it made strong progress in its Net Zero programme.

The PLA, which oversees safe operations in the UK’s busiest port, has committed to achieve Net Zero by 2040, or earlier.

Last year’s performance delivered the 50% cut in carbon emissions three years ahead of the original 2025 target. The introduction of sustainable biofuel, in place of diesel in its fleet of vessels as an interim measure was the key initial step in improving performance.

The PLA operates more than 20 vessels, including harbour service launches, driftwood collectors, hydrographic survey vessels and a large mooring maintenance craft.

The original PLA target was a 50% reduction in the 2,054 tonnes of carbon emitted across its entire operations in its 2014 baseline year. Before the switch to biofuel, vessel fuel consumption was responsible for more than 75% of the PLA’s total carbon emissions.

“Overseeing safe operations in the UK’s biggest port and busiest inland waterway involves a large number of our team working out on the river,” said PLA Chief Executive Robin Mortimer.

“This has traditionally been carbon intensive, with vessels using diesel taking pilots to large ships, patrolling the river, recovering driftwood and maintaining aids to navigation.

“We’re proud to have made this initial step using sustainable biofuels to reduce carbon emissions. This is interim measure is bringing emissions down, while we explore the long-term solution, using alternative fuels.”

The PLA has invested more than £120,000 in new steel fuel tanks to store biofuel at three of its bases along the river. The most recent installation, Barrier Gardens Pier, was completed just before Christmas, fully establishing biofuel as part of ‘business as usual’ for the PLA.

The use of biofuel, hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), reduces greenhouse gas emissions as the carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is offset by the absorption of carbon dioxide during growth of the biomass that forms the biofuel. HVO has also been shown also to cut emissions of nitrogen dioxide and particulates.

The tank installation at Barrier Gardens Pier, the PLA’s principal vessel base in the capital, was part of a wider programme. This included a pier extension enabling the largest vessel in the fleet, London Titan to moor there. The pier was fitted with shore power as part of the development work, so that the vessel can operate essential electrical systems when moored, without using its engines to generate power.

Photo credit: Port of London Authority
Published: 7 March, 2023

LNG Bunkering

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

MPA is seeking proposals to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and e/bio-methane supply as a marine fuel.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based liquefied natural gas (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.

MPA said LNG bunkering in Singapore has grown from 16,000 tonnes delivered in 2022 to over 385,000 tonnes delivered from January to October 2024.

According to the EOI, demand for LNG bunkering is expected to grow further with a growing global fleet of LNG dual-fuelled vessels and competitive LNG bunker prices.

“The EOI seeks to gather proposals on three areas: to scale up sea-based reloading operations, including ship-to-bunker barge LNG operations; to facilitate the supply of LNG alternatives such as liquefied bio-methane; and to develop floating platform concepts to enhance bunkering safety and efficiency,” MPA added.

“The EOI proposals should also include mitigation measures to address the issue of methane slip on a well-to-wake basis.”

Participants in the EOI do not need to be an existing LNG bunkering licensee. Participants are required to propose models for operationalising sea-based LNG reloading starting from 2025. Participants selected will be required to conduct trials in Singapore to validate the proposed solution’s operational feasibility and safety.

“Insights gained from the EOI and trials will inform MPA’s review of the LNG licensing framework, including enhancements to supply to better serve the industry’s bunkering needs,” it said.

Note: Interested parties can visit the MPA website for details and submission guidelines. Proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2025, 1pm (Singapore time).

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 December, 2024

LNG Bunkering

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Firm will supply cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel currently being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, on Friday (13 December) said it has won a contract to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel.

The vessel is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China, for global energy company Vitol.

“Wärtsilä’s ability to engineer, design and deliver a complete system, including the Boil-Off Gas (BOG) management, integrated fuel supply, custody transfer and bunkering transfer systems, was central to the contract award,” Wärtsilä said, adding the order was booked by the company in Q4, 2024.

Richie Zhu, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China, said: “LNG is today an important marine fuel and is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for owners and operators seeking more sustainable fuel options. The market for LNG bunkering vessels is increasing in line with this trend, and we have established a leading position in supplying modern and reliable systems that optimise overall cargo handling efficiency for such vessels.”

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000 m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total.

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 13 December, 2024

Newbuilding

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

Vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

United European Car Carriers (UECC) on Wednesday (11 December) said it has further expanded its fleet of eco-friendly car carriers with the addition of the dual-fuel LNG newbuild Blue Aspire.

The vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from a Chinese shipyard.

The 200-metre long Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), delivered from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering, has capacity for nearly 7000 vehicles on 12 cargo decks.

UECC will operate the vessel together with another five vessels on a route between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, traversing the Turkish ports of Yenikoy and Autoport, the German port of Cuxhaven, and Zeebrugge, Belgium every 4.5 days.

“Deployment of the Blue Aspire will boost tremendously capacity and sailing frequency on this busy trade route, currently serviced by five vessels, while further enhancing the sustainability of the UECC fleet,” said the company’s COO Per Christian Mørk.

The latest fleet addition will increase to six the number of UECC-operated vessels plying the North-South network, taking in a total of 10 ports on two routes, after the recent deployment of the renamed Auto Way that was acquired by UECC’s joint owner Wallenius Lines from Höegh Autoliners earlier this year.

It will also boost the size of UECC’s owned and chartered fleet to 15 PCTCs, including five dual and multi-fuel LNG vessels - three with battery hybrid capability - delivered in the past decade, with another two multi-fuel LNG newbuilds currently on order that are set for delivery in 2028 and options for two similar units.

“We are expanding our fleet with greater capacity and cargo-carrying flexibility to provide a more efficient service for clients in response to increasing demand as we see longer-term growth potential in this market,” Mørk explained.

Mørk said sustainability is now a key priority in procurement of maritime transport services to meet the environmental goals of vehicle manufacturers amid new green regulations - including FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS - that provide a commercial incentive to reduce the cost of GHG emissions.

“UECC is catering to this market requirement with an eco-friendly fleet geared to minimizing the environmental footprint of vessel operations with progressive reductions in carbon intensity, in line with regulation, through adoption of energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels,” he says.

Mørk noted that, while LNG can reduce emissions by around 25% compared with conventional fossil fuels, there is potential to greatly enhance environmental performance on LNG-fuelled vessels like Blue Aspire by switching to liquefied biomethane (LBM) that offers net-zero potential.

UECC is now increasing application of the latter fuel on its dual-fuel LNG PCTCs after recently securing an LBM supply agreement with Titan Clean Fuels that is forecast to cut its overall fleet emissions by 75,000 tons in 2025.

“The Blue Aspire therefore represents a valuable addition to the UECC fleet that underpins our market commitment to sustainability, while contributing to decarbonization of shipping,” Mørk concludes.

Photo credit: United European Car Carriers
Published: 13 December, 2024