The introduction of the ISO 8217:2024 specification has brought renewed focus on viscosity limits, with a significant proportion of VLSFOs currently failing to meet the updated standards, according to Integr8 Fuels on Tuesday (14 January). 

This was based on the firm’s latest Bunker Quality Trends report, offering insights into the evolving landscape of marine fuels. Drawing on comprehensive data from over 130 million metric tons (mt) of deliveries, the report provides an in-depth analysis of critical quality issues, regulatory implications, and market trends.

“Data from the report shows that over 45% of global VLSFO supply would not meet the RM380 2024 specification without adjustments to blend recipes,” it said.

“These changes could lead to a spike in problematic fuels, as was observed during the IMO 2020 transition, potentially affecting fuel stability and other critical parameters.”

Regions like Singapore and Houston are flagged as hotspots for adjustments, with over two-thirds of VLSFO in Singapore requiring reformulation. 

“Buyers are urged to adapt charterparty wording to ensure suppliers comply with the latest standards to reduce the risk of critical handling issues,” Integr8 Fuels said.

Other key developments highlighted in the report are:

The Smart Way to Meet Compliance Targets: Plan Biofuel Bunkering on a Fleet or Pool Level

When it comes to compliance with environmental regulations, FuelEU Maritime doesn’t specify a fixed biofuel percentage. The focus is on reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity across a vessel’s voyages over the course of a calendar year. The target is a 2% reduction in GHG intensity between two EU ports, which translates to around 3% biofuel blended with VLSFO or HSFO, or 2% biofuel with MGO. 

However, it’s more efficient to take larger biofuel quantities on select vessels and transfer compliance surpluses across your fleet or between ships in multiple fleets, which is also known as pooling. The most common biofuel grades stocked by suppliers are B24 and B30 blends, and pure B100. Their availability varies by port and region. Shipowners are advised to carefully manage their biofuel strategies and check the GHG intensity figures in Proof of Sustainability documents provided by suppliers.

Barge Bottlenecks: The Sulphur Compliance Challenge in Southern Europe

Sulphur compliance for VLSFO remains a pressing concern, with 2.4% of supplies exceeding the 95% confidence limits for ISO 8217 Table 2 parameters in the past six months. Geographical variances are significant, with higher non-compliance risks reported in bunker hubs such as Rotterdam and Balboa compared to Singapore. Infrastructure constraints, including the practice of switching between HSFO and VLSFO on the same barges, are identified as contributing factors. The report underscores the importance of data- driven procurement and robust supplier practices to mitigate these risks.

Rising Automotive Fuel Blends Are Driving Flash Point Risks in the Med

The integration of automotive diesel into bunkering pools has led to heightened risks of flash point non-compliance, particularly in the Mediterranean. Automotive fuels often have a minimum flash point of 55°C, below the 60°C threshold mandated for marine fuels under SOLAS regulations. The report identifies specific ports where these risks are most prevalent and calls for enhanced due diligence when purchasing in regions reliant on automotive diesel imports. Ensuring DMA specifications are met is critical to avoiding costly compliance breaches.

Biofuels and LNG: Key Players in the Future of Fuel Compliance

The report highlights the growing role of biofuels and LNG as transitional solutions for meeting stringent emissions regulations, such as FuelEU Maritime and the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (Med ECA). While LNG remains a reliable option due to its consistent quality and negligible SOx emissions, biofuels are gaining momentum as suppliers expand blending capabilities globally. 

The report cautions buyers about potential operational risks, such as biofuel-related cold flow challenges in colder climates and the limited availability of LNG bunker vessels. The introduction of the Med ECA from 1 May 2025 will likely boost LNG bunker demand in the region, however, the delivery of LNG bunker vessels is failing to keep up with growing demand, tightening the LNG supply chain.

Note: The full Bunker Quality Trends Report Q1 2025 by Integr8 can be found here.

Photo credit: Integr8 Fuels
Published: 15 January, 2025

Norway-based shipbuilder VARD on Friday (3 January) said it has partnered with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund, Norway and other key stakeholders in the NuProShip I project, which explores nuclear propulsion for the maritime sector. 

NuProShip, short for "Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping," will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

In this project, an extensive assessment of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies led to the selection of three promising reactor types:

• Kairos Power (USA): Fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, designed for robust and efficient operation.
• Ultrasafe (USA): Helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles, known for their resilience and safety in extreme conditions.
• Blykalla (Sweden): Lead-cooled reactor concept utilizing uranium oxide as fuel, offering high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms.

VARD said TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types. 

“TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today,” it added.

Alongside VARD, the NuProShip project is supported by other partners, including DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, ship owner Knutsen Tankers, and the Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM. 

VARD’s primary contribution involves integrating these reactor systems into various vessel types, assessing the technical challenges to enable the future commercial use of nuclear-powered ships.

Photo credit: VARD
Published: 10 January, 2025

Shipowners continued to invest for a future of lower emissions in 2024, with 600 vessels capable of using alternative fuels ordered until 13 December, according to classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Thursday (2 January). 

The new orders grew the total orderbook by more than 50%, to 1,737 vessels.

The in-service alternative-fuelled fleet also grew strongly, up 18% to 1,860 vessels. Combined with current orders, the fleet will stand at 3,597 – around 4.8% of all vessels in service and on order. 

But with the IMO’s 2030 target on zero and near-zero emission energy use crossing the five-year horizon, orders will need to accelerate further to meet the required 5-10% of shipping’s energy consumption.

“These numbers show the significant effort the industry is making to reach net-zero emissions,” said James Frew, Business Advisory Director, at LR. 

“As the maritime transition towards decarbonisation advances, the next steps will require greater alignment between industry ambitions, regulatory measures and, crucially, incentives to rapidly grow global production capacity for the alternative fuels shipping will need.” 

Methanol-fuelled vessels led the way amongst new fuels, with 119 orders adding more than a third to the existing orderbook. In early 2024 LR, which classed the very first methanol conversion in 2015 – the ro-pax Stena Germanica – was appointed to support and class Stena Line’s next two fast ferry conversions. 

It also teamed up with Danish alternative fuel specialist Green Marine to deliver training and consultancy around methanol fuel, helping to deliver the skills needed to make alternative-fuelled vessel operation a reality.

Ammonia-fuelled vessel orders more than doubled compared to the previous year, to 22 vessels. In 2025 the first ammonia-fuelled marine engines will be delivered, with a further surge in orders likely as the industry gains experience with the carbon-free fuel. 

As illustrated in LR’s Fuel For Thought report on ammonia published in March 2024, securing the safety of ammonia-fuelled ships through design, training and regulation will be crucial to maximise any opportunity for decarbonisation.

Hydrogen fuel also consolidated its appeal within relevant vessel segments, with orders for 12 more vessels in 2024. Two hydrogen-powered passenger ferries ordered by Norwegian transport company Torghatten Nord are set for LR class, while a memorandum of understanding with H2Terminals, HiDROGEN and D3IM was signed to assess the feasibility of a green hydrogen infrastructure project in the UK. LR also granted AiPs for several new hydrogen vessels, including ferries and tugboats.

Related: LR: Safety and supply crucial for widespread adoption of ammonia bunker fuel
Related: LR report sees surge in methanol engine retrofits in 2023, calls it a ‘defining trend’

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 3 January, 2025