Alternative Fuels

Schulte Group, Technolog reveal new LNG bunker vessel design

Number of LNG-fuelled vessels planned to enter into operation in the next few years is significant, as operators increasingly turn to LNG to reduce harmful emissions, says Johan Lillieskold of Schulte.

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2023

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Schulte Group, in partnership with naval architect company Technolog, recently brought to market a new design concept for an LNG bunker vessel.

Johan Lillieskold, Gas Solutions Specialist, LNG Competence Centre, at Schulte Group, said: “We examined the market’s current requirements and recognised the need for a straightforward LNG fuelling ‘work horse’, that reduces the cost of last-mile delivery for vessel operators. We have gone back to the drawing board and defined the operational specifications of what the ideal LNG bunker vessel should offer, doing away with any additional or unnecessary gear and cumbersome operations.”

The LBV has been designed to maximise operational compatibility, including: vessels with protruding structures from the hull, such as those typically found on cruise liners with protruding lifeboats, deck structure and balconies; vessels with short bodies such as high-speed, slender container vessels; and those with high freeboards including large crude oil and bulk carriers.

The firm said some of the LNG bunkers are currently delivered from shore-based trucks to ships berthed alongside, and whilst these activities will still be available going forward, LNG sea-based deliveries will eventually dominate supply to merchant and cruise LNG-fuelled vessels.

Lillieskold, said: “The number of LNG-fuelled vessels planned to enter into operation in the next few years is significant, as operators increasingly turn to LNG to reduce environmentally and climate-harmful emissions.”

Lillieskold admitted that typically cheaper than fuel oil, LNG prices are high right now, but when the LNG versus fuel oil market returns to normal, demand for LNG to fuel merchant vessels and the required infrastructure will follow.

“The current arrangements for LNG bunkers, both land-based and sea-based, will not be sufficient or suitable for the increasing volume of LNG-fuelled tonnage planned for future years. This new flexible vessel design will serve both today’s tonnage and future new builds.”

Schulte Group’s LBV has been developed in accordance with the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGC) and other IMO regulations. It also complies with and is prepared for new and future decarbonising rules and regulations like the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Index (CII) and the EU’s Fit for 55 programmes.

Measures built into the design and available as option or for future upgrade include:

The battery hybrid solution which saves energy and reduces carbon emissions delivering an initial good EEDI and CII rating.
The battery hybrid solution allowing normal LNG fuelling operations (bunkering) to be undertaken using battery power only with zero carbon emissions. Moreover, it reduces noise-pollution – important where noise can impact bunker permit applications.
The hull has been designed to increase tonnage mile efficiency. Even if an LBV is normally not required for extensive sea voyages, the vessel has been built with a slender and efficient hull for good EEDI and CII ratings.
The vessel has capabilities to be connected to shore power. In combination with the battery hybrid solution and “green” shore power, depending on the operation profile, the vessel could operate largely carbon-emissions free.
The basic design has even taken in consideration future retrofit for hydrogen power. Operation range will be limited if all operations are undertaken using hydrogen, but two to three days’ operation is feasible between H2 bunkering.

Overall, the next-generation LBV design brings together safety, compatibility, eco sustainability, operational flexibility and cost efficiency.

Photo credit: Technalog
Published: 12 May, 2023

Biofuel

Chimbusco and SPG complete first biofuel bunkering operation in Northern China

Chimbusco’s “DA YUAN YOU 8” tanker refuelled the “HMM VANCOUVER” with 1,300 metric tonnes of B24 biofuel at Qingdao Port.

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2025

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Chimbusco and SPG achieves first biofuel bunkering operation in Northern China

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co Ltd (Chimbusco) and Shandong Port Group (SPG) recently said they successfully completed the first B24 biofuel bunkering operation in Northern China on 14 June.

Chimbusco’s “DA YUAN YOU 8 ” tanker refuelled the “HMM VANCOUVER” with 1,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24 biofuel at Qingdao Port.

Chimbusco said the successful bunkering operation not only marks a milestone in the bonded biofuel bunkering business for international voyage vessels in northern China but also represents a critical milestone in the green and low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry around the Bohai Sea and throughout northern China.

B24 biofuel is a blend of 24% waste cooking oil and 76% high-sulphur fuel oil. Authoritatively certified, the company said this fuel can significantly reduce carbon emissions from vessel operations by up to 20%, providing shipowners with an efficient and convenient low-carbon solution to comply with increasingly stringent International Maritime Organization (IMO) emission reduction regulations.

Since the beginning of this year, Chimbusco said it has achieved top records of bunkering volumes in the green fuel sector. From the first successful operation at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in eastern China to subsequent bunkering operations in Shenzhen, Xiamen, and other major ports across the country, the company has further consolidated its regular supply capabilities.

During this in-depth cooperation with SPG’s Qingdao Port, Chimbusco’s “Green Energy Label” made its debut at the operation site.

“This further confirms that Chimbusco is deploying green fuel bunkering services to help Chinese ports accelerate the construction of a maritime green energy supply network,” the company said.

Photo credit: Shandong Port Group
Published: 20 June, 2025

Ammonia

Korea to develop global standards for discharge of toxic effluent from ammonia-fuelled ships

KR and major Korean shipyards such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Samho and Samsung Heavy Industries will be part of the group.

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2025

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Korea to develop global standards for discharge of toxic effluent from ammonia-fuelled ships

Classification society Korean Register (KR) said it has launched a joint working group to establish international standards for the safe discharge of toxic ammonia effluent generated from ammonia-fuelled ships.

Major Korean shipyards such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) will be part of the group.

KR said ammonia is attracting attention as an eco-friendly alternative fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, but due to its strong toxicity and concerns about marine pollution, it is essential to establish separate safety standards.

In particular, ammonia effluent generated from wet treatment systems currently has no clear treatment standards, which causes considerable technical and operational uncertainty in ship design and operation.

Accordingly, the group aims to establish international standards related to the storage, treatment, and discharge of ammonia wastewater generated from ships and to officially propose this to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the Korean government.

The launch of this consultative body is a follow-up measure to a proposal by KR and the Korean government to the IMO in 2024 for the need to establish safety standards for ammonia effluent, which was officially approved at the 83rd IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in April 2025. The group plans to propose a draft standard to the IMO in 2026 and lead international discussions.

Kim Tae-seong, Head of the KTR headquarters, said: “We will provide reliable scientific data to establish ammonia wastewater management guidelines and treatment standards. We will actively cooperate to secure the international competitiveness of the domestic shipbuilding and shipping industries.”
Kim Kyung-bok, Vice President of KR, said: “This consultative body is a symbolic case of our shipbuilding and shipping industries joining forces to lead the establishment of international safety standards based on our country’s advanced technologies.”

“KR will continue to support the development of alternative fuel safety standards and international standardisation efforts together with our government.”

Photo credit: Korean Register
Published: 20 June, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Fratelli Cosulich and IINO Lines to collaborate on alternative bunker fuels

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy and IINO Lines signed a MoU, setting a foundation for further collaboration in the areas of methanol, LNG, and ammonia bunkering.

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2025

Admin

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy and IINO Lines on Thursday (19 June) announced a strategic cooperation that reinforces their shared commitment to the decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore new business opportunities in the alternative marine fuels sector.

“This agreement marks a significant step in the long-standing relationship between the two companies and sets the foundation for further collaboration in the areas of methanol, LNG, and ammonia bunkering,” Fratelli Cosulich said.

Through the MoU, the parties will engage in joint initiatives, exchange market insights, and facilitate connections with potential suppliers and stakeholders in the alternative fuels space.

“We are proud to announce the partnership with Fratelli Cosulich for initiatives in alternative marine fuels. Both companies have extensive history in the shipping industry,” said Yusuke Otani, President of IINO Lines.

“The joint development will enable a holistic approach for building a supply chain of alternative marine fuels.”

“As we navigate the energy transition, partnerships like the one we announce today with IINO Lines are essential in shaping the future of sustainable shipping,” said Timothy Cosulich, CEO of Fratelli Cosulich Group.

“By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to drive the adoption of cleaner marine fuels and contribute to the decarbonization of global shipping.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 20 June, 2025