Latest figures from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform saw a total of 17 new orders for alternative fuelled vessels were placed in September 2024. 

DNV said LNG was the biggest driver, accounting for nine vessels, with most of these coming from the container segment. The remaining eight orders were for methanol fuelled vessels.

Although it was a relatively slow month for alternative fuelled vessel orders, it follows the two strongest months of the year in July and August, where 81 and 95 new orders were placed. 

“In both months, LNG was the main fuel of choice, accounting for 53 and 55 new orders respectively.  Order uptake continues to be dominated by the container segment, which accounted for around two-thirds of all orders in the third quarter of 2024,” it said. 

Overall, the steady momentum in the alternative fuelled orderbook remains. A total of 370 alternative fuelled vessels were ordered in the first three quarters of 2024, representing year-on-year growth of 24%.

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “Despite a slow month in September, a broader view confirms that the momentum in the new order market towards alternative fuelled vessels remains strong.

“LNG is clearly the headline story since the summer, accounting for around 60% of all alternative fuelled new orders in the third quarter mainly thanks to a strong uptake in the container segment.

“Although 49 new orders for methanol fuelled vessels were registered in the third quarter, only eight of these were placed in September, demonstrating a slight stagnation.”

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 October, 2024 

International fuel additives company Infineum on Tuesday (1 October) published an article on its Insight website assessing the ways that fuel and lubricant additives can help improve efficiency and reduce emissions today and support future fuel options:

With the International Maritime Organization’s countdown to net zero emissions inexorably ticking down, the industry is looking for cost effective, readily available options to meet the interim targets, while also exploring ways to meet the 2050 net zero goal. Infineum’s Rob Glass and Dewi Ballard explore the ways that fuel and lubricant additives can help improve efficiency and reduce emissions today as the industry works to fully commercialise future fuel options such as ammonia.

Following on from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 sulphur cuts, probably the largest regulatory change to fuel composition that the maritime industry has ever seen, the IMO has now set a path to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

IMO says international shipping, which transports some 90% of global trade, is statistically the least environmentally damaging mode of transport when its productive value is considered. But, in its most recent study, the organisation reports CO2 emissions from ships are estimated to have increased by more than 9% from 2012 to 2018. Reversing this trend is a key goal and a big driver for change.

In its revised greenhouse gas reduction strategy, adopted in July 2023, IMO has set out very clear ambitions, aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions as close to 2050 as possible.

The IMO timeline also includes a commitment to ensure the uptake of zero and near zero greenhouse gas fuels by 2030, with checkpoints along the way.

From January 2023, it became mandatory for ships to calculate their attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and to start fuel consumption data collection. The first annual reporting on fuel consumption is complete, which means the first CII ratings, from A down to E will be made this year – with a target of C or better.

Clarksons Research estimates that more than one third of the deep sea cargo fleet will be rated D or E. But those achieving a C rating or higher cannot be complacent because the CII reduction factor increases yearly, which means more are likely to slip into D and E categories by 2026. IMO is set to review the effectiveness of its implementation by 1 January 2026, and if needed adopt further amendments. Penalties for non-compliance could also be introduced as part of these measures.

The good news is that the IMO targets are technology neutral, which means ship owners and operators are free to decide how best to gain and retain a C or better rating. What this means for the wider industry is increased complexity - a wider range of fuels, fuel blends and engine types, which increase the demand on the lubricant in use – and new additive technologies will be needed to help ensure trouble free operation.

There are already a number of GHG reduction options to choose from, which may require investment or impact profitability. Some of the largest GHG savings come from fuel selection.

However, the wide availability of net zero carbon fuel options is still some way off, which means, other carbon cutting measures are needed to help ships improve reduce fuel consumption without significantly increasing running costs.

Note: The full article by Infineum can be found here.

Photo credit: Infineum
Published: 3 October, 2024 

NYK Line on Monday (30 September) said it received an approval in principle (AiP) certificate with TB Global Technologies Ltd. (TBG) for the design of a ship-to-ship bunkering boom for ammonia fuel at Gastech 2024, held in Houston from classification society ClassNK on 18 September. 

This is the world's first bunkering boom for ammonia-fuelled vessels to receive the AiP, and will provide a major boost to the expansion of the practical application of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The most distinctive feature of the boom is a TBG-developed emergency-release system that allows the connection between an ammonia-fueled vessel and an ammonia bunkering vessel (ABV) to be disconnected instantly in an emergency.

In acquiring the AiP, NYK provided design data for its in-house developed ABV. In addition, to improve the safety and operability of the equipment, NYK provided knowledge on the handling of ammonia gained by NYK from its ammonia-transport business and expertise gained from Kaguya, Japan's first LNG bunkering vessel. 

Kaguya is operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Corporation, of which NYK is the largest shareholder.

NYK will continue collaborating with companies in Japan and overseas and actively promoting research and development of facilities and equipment that consider the natural environment and crew safety.

Photo credit: TB Global Technologies
Published: 1 October, 2024