Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

SMW 2023: MPA and Wärtsilä ink MoU on maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation

MPA and Wärtsilä will explore renewable fuel technologies and seek partnerships with various stakeholders to develop green fuel safety concepts and procedures.

Admin

Published

on

194

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and technology group Wärtsilä on Thursday (27 April) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at collaborating in mutually beneficial areas to enable the introduction of next generation renewable fuels, optimise digital port operations, and develop future talent.

Under the MoU, MPA and Wärtsilä will explore renewable fuel technologies and seek partnerships with various stakeholders to develop green fuel safety concepts and procedures to ensure safe handling and operation of future fuels. Insights gained will support the development of global standards for maritime fuel safety.

The parties will seek to make port operations more efficient through developing reliable, secure, and cost-effective data exchanges between vessels and port operations. Sharing of data at scale, including real time data, has potentials of unlocking insights to optimise port and vessel operations such as Just-in-Time planning. It can also greatly enhance data-based value generation, including the development of new capabilities and operational processes. 

The development of an operational concept for vessels and harbour craft utilising AI-based monitoring, tracking, and incident response, is also planned. Big data from Wärtsilä’s Navi- Port system, MPA’s digital platforms and other relevant sources will be at the core of the algorithms to power the AI.

MPA and Wartsila will also collaborate on assessing cyber threats and risks to shipboard systems, ship-shore system communications and MPA’s digital platforms.

To equip future maritime workforce with skills and competencies relating to digitalisation and decarbonisation, MPA and Wartsila will explore working with partners and stakeholders to identify new skills. The collaboration could include working with the Tripartite Advisory Panel under the Alliance for Future Maritime Talent (AFMT TAP) to co-create enhanced training curriculum to improve training effectiveness.

Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry and Transformation), MPA, said: “As a major bunkering and a maritime hub port supported by a robust R&D and start-up ecosystem, Singapore is at the heart of marintech innovation and at an exciting phase for the potential introduction of maritime fuels such as methanol, hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia. MPA looks forward to our partnership with Wartsila to unlock our collective potentials and develop solutions that can be scaled to benefit global maritime community.”

“Over the years we have established a strong relationship with MPA, having worked together on various projects aimed at boosting efficiencies and sustainability,” said Roger Holm, President, Wärtsilä Marine Power and Executive Vice President. 

“This collaboration elevates Wartsila Voyage’s previous MOU with MPA and to include new impactful areas in decarbonisation and talent development. The partnership will promote innovation and accelerate the industry’s transition to new cleaner fuels and the adoption of the latest technologies.”

“By working in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders and qualified partners, Wärtsilä and MPA are making a concerted effort to create more efficient, cost- effective, and sustainable maritime operations.”

Related: SMW 2023: MPA, classification societies to collaborate on maritime decarbonisation
Related: SMW 2023: Methanol-based spill scenario organised for ICOPCE table-top exercise
Related: SeaTech Solutions, Fratelli Cosulich obtain RINA AiP for ammonia-fuelled bunker tanker
Related: SMW 2023: DNV joins Standards working group on methanol bunkering
Related: SMW 2023: Joint opening ceremony held for MarineTech Conference and Sea Asia Exhibition
Related: SMW 2023: CSA welcomes new members to spur efforts on decarbonising Singapore’s coastal vessels
Related: SMW 2023: A*STAR sets up Centre for Maritime Digitalisation with flagship research on AI tech
Related: SMW 2023 brings together maritime community to take collective action to digitalise, decarbonise
Related: SMW 2023: Singapore, LA and Long Beach ink MoU to establish green and digital shipping corridor

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 April, 2023

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

Japan: MOL’s third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

“Sunflower Kamuy” will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu, says MOL.

Admin

Published

on

By

Japan: MOL third LNG-fuelled ferry “Sunflower Kamuy” starts operation in Oarai

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on Thursday (23 January) announced that the LNG-fuelled ferry Sunflower Kamuy, owned by MOL and operated by its group company MOL Sunflower, entered service in Oarai.

The vessel will be the third LNG-fuelled ferry operated by MOL Sunflower, following the Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki, which have been in service on the Osaka-Beppu route from 2023.

Sunflower Kamuy will serve the Oarai-Tomakomai route between Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido as a replacement for the Sunflower Daisetsu.

Along with the sister vessel Sunflower Pirka, scheduled to enter service in early summer 2025, MOL Sunflower will operate a fleet of four LNG-fuelled ferries on the Oarai-Tomakomai route and the Osaka-Beppu route within 2025. 

MOL Sunflower operates 10 ferries and 4 RoRo vessels on six routes throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, providing service for both logistics and passengers in Japan.

 

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Published: 24 January, 2025

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Based on its latest ‘View from the Bridge’ report, SEA-LNG reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024.

Admin

Published

on

By

SEA-LNG report: Number of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation up by over 33% in 2024

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (24 January) reported an annual vessel growth of over 33% to 638 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation worldwide in 2024. 

This was one of the findings of SEA-LNG’s annual ‘View from the Bridge’ report, highlighting 2024 as another year of growth for the LNG pathway. 

Analysing data from SEA-LNG members, the report found that global market adoption and growth reached record heights in 2024. 

Looking forward, over 1,200 vessels are expected to be operating by the end of 2028. In 2024, LNG dual-fuelled vessels accounted for 70% of alternative fuelled tonnage ordered, excluding LNG Carriers, up from 43% in 2023. 

This record expansion follows the growing availability of LNG bunker fuel beyond the traditional bunkering hubs. Currently, LNG bunkers are accessible in approximately 198 ports worldwide, and plans are underway for bunkering facilities in an additional 78 ports. This comes as over 60 LNG bunkering vessels are operating today, marking a 22% increase from 2023. 

The ‘View from the Bridge’ report also highlights how the LNG pathway took a significant step in 2024, with liquified biomethane delivering on decarbonisation and regular renewable e-methane supplies expected in 2026. 

SEA-LNG members are prepared to offer biomethane bunkers in some 70 ports globally, with multiple bunkering operations already taking place. 

A highlight was the successful biomethane bunkering pilot as part of the Methane Track within the Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). This was the first practical delivery of any international Green Corridor since they were announced as part of the Clydebank Declaration at COP 26 in Glasgow. 

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “Our latest View from the Bridge reaffirms the importance of the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic route to shipping’s decarbonisation now. We continue to believe that the shipping industry is heading towards a successful multi-fuel future where LNG will always play a critical role.”

“To deliver net zero by 2050 across the global shipping fleet, a basket of fuels is required and the LNG pathway will continue to lead the way. This is not a case of my fuel versus your fuel but rather which fuel best allows the industry to reach its stated goals. The LNG pathway provides the path to net zero.” 

SEA-LNG’s latest report also highlights that 2024 has seen considerable progress in addressing methane slip. “Advances in eliminating methane slip, in combination with biomethane and e-methane, provide a clear, effective, and viable long-term pathway towards net zero emissions. Shipowners and operators can be confident that the vessels ordered today are future-proofed for their lifespan.”

“With a proven track record of technical improvements to reduce methane slip and upstream emissions, coupled with tighter regulations from global and regional authorities, we continue to believe methane slip will be a non-issue by the end of this decade,” Keller continued.   

FuelEU Maritime will be a key regulation in advancing shipping industry decarbonisation, heading into 2025. According to analysis from SEA-LNG, FuelEU Maritime creates a favourable environment for the LNG pathway. 

With the ability to achieve GHG emissions reductions of up to 23%, LNG-fuelled vessels are compliant until 2039. The use of liquefied biomethane and e-methane can extend compliance through to 2050 and beyond. 

Note: The full report is available for download here.

 

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 24 January, 2025

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

DNV, partners to develop new standards for using digital twins to test electric propulsion systems

Collaboration with HD Hyundai Mipo and HD KSOE focuses on developing standards for testing electric powered vessels through the use of digital twin-based criteria and procedures.

Admin

Published

on

By

DNV, partners to develop new standards for using digital twins to test electric propulsion systems

Classification society DNV on Friday (24 January) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE). 

The collaboration focuses on developing standards for testing electric powered vessels through the use of digital twin-based criteria and procedures, to enhance ship safety and efficiency.

The project aims to resolve issues related to the integration of highly complex vessel systems for electric propulsion. 

Utilising hardware in the loop (HiL) testing via digital twins of the different systems enables integration tests to be performed both earlier in the process on a much broader and deeper level.

To ensure the accuracy of the tests, however, we need to be confident in the digital assets. Together DNV, HMD and KSOE are working on the verification of these digital assets. Utilising DNV verified digital assets, will facilitate the integration process. In addition, when systems from multiple suppliers are tested together, having the same requirements and HiL test procedures ensures the reliability of the testing.

Kitae Kim, Head of Quality Management, HD Hyundai Mipo, said: “Through this technical collaboration we aim to establish clear and practical digital twin-based testing procedures and standards. These can foster broader industry participation and ensure the reliability of results. In doing so, we hope to safeguard the performance and safety of ship systems and lead in building a digital twin ecosystem for the shipbuilding industry.”

Byoung Hun Kwon, Head of the Electrification Center/Digital Technology Research Lab, at HD KSOE, said: “We have proactively developed and implemented digital twin technology, including HiL, to safeguard the performance and quality of vessels, achieving world-class advancements in virtual commissioning technology. This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone, uniting HD Hyundai Mipo, HD KSOE, and DNV to drive digital innovation in the shipbuilding and marine industry.”

Andreas Kristoffersen, Head of Approval Centre Korea and DNV Maritime, said: "This MoU highlights HMD, KSOE and DNV’s commitment to driving digitalization in the maritime industry. By adopting digital twin-based testing for complex systems, we are working together to shape the future of maritime operations and set new industry standards for safety and performance."

The project will also focus on maintaining the digital assets throughout the life-cycle of the vessel to maximize their value over the long-term. With verified assets, component models could also be used in a “plug-and-play” manner as different systems are introduced into the simulation space or updated over time.

This initiative sets out to build a foundation for leveraging class-verified digital assets to support more comprehensive and earlier HiL testing. It aligns with DNV’s Data-driven Verification (DDV) notation, which has been developed to ensure reliable performance of complex systems.

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 24 January, 2025

Continue Reading
Advertisement
  • v4Helmsman Gif Banner 01
  • Zhoushan Bunker
  • Sea Trader & Sea Splendor
  • RE 05 Lighthouse GIF
  • EMF banner 400x330 slogan
  • SBF2
  • Aderco advert 400x330 1
  • Consort advertisement v2

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

  • E MARINE LOGO
  • SEAOIL 3+5 GIF
  • Singfar advertisement final
  • Triton Bunkering advertisement v2
  • HL 2022 adv v1


  • Mokara Final
  • Synergy Asia Bunkering logo MT
  • PSP Marine logo
  • Auramarine 01
  • CNC Logo Rev Manifold Times
  • Trillion Energy
  • metcore
  • Golden Island logo square
  • Kenoil
  • endress
  • Advert Shipping Manifold resized1
  • 400x330 v2 copy
  • VPS 2021 advertisement
  • LabTechnic
  • Headway Manifold

Trending