Alternative Fuels

SMW 2023: Singapore, LA and Long Beach ink MoU to establish green and digital shipping corridor

Corridor aims to support transition to low- and zero-emission bunker fuels by ships calling at Singapore and San Pedro Bay port; parties will explore necessary infrastructure for bunkering.

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2023

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles (POLA), and Port of Long Beach (POLB), with the support of C40 Cities, on Monday (24 April) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a green and digital shipping corridor between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay port complex.

The MoU will help support decarbonisation of the maritime industry and improve efficiencies through digitalisation.

The green and digital shipping corridor aims to support the transition to low- and zero-emission fuels by ships calling at Singapore and the San Pedro Bay port complex. The parties will work to facilitate the supply and adoption of these fuels and explore the necessary infrastructure and regulations for bunkering.

In addition to identifying and collaborating on pilot and demonstration projects, the MoU aims to identify digital shipping solutions and develop standards and best practices for green ports and the bunkering of alternative marine fuels, including sharing experiences at international platforms such as IMO.

The MoU was signed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, Mr Gene Seroka, Executive Director of POLA, and Mr Mario Cordero, Executive Director of POLB, at the opening ceremony of Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2023) and witnessed by Mr S Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport, Mr Jonathan KAPLAN, Ambassador of the United States to Singapore, Mr Niam Chiang Meng, Chairman of MPA, Ms Sharon Weissman, Long Beach Harbor Commission President, and Mr Edward Renwick, Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner.

C40 is the facilitator of the green and digital shipping corridor, providing support to the cities, ports, and their corridor partners by coordinating, convening, facilitating, and providing communications support in furtherance of the corridor’s goals.

As leading global hub ports, Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach are vital nodes on the trans-Pacific shipping lane and key stakeholders in the maritime sector’s green transition. Ahead of the revision of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Initial Strategy for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships in July 2023, the three ports will come together with C40 and other stakeholders in the maritime and energy value chains, to jointly accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime industry in line with the goals of IMO, and Singapore’s and the United States’ respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The MoU also builds on the ports’ long-standing cooperation through platforms such as the Port Authorities’ Roundtable (PAR) and chainPORT, and complements bilateral initiatives between Singapore and the United States such as the U.S.-Singapore Climate Partnership and the U.S.-Singapore Partnership for Growth and Innovation.

In his message at the annual Singapore Maritime Week, John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, said: “Shipping is responsible for approximately a gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions each year... [b]ut the good news is that many shipping companies, ports, and countries are stepping up. Today’s MoU is one of those pieces of good news!”

The MoU follows from an earlier announcement in November 2022, that MPA, POLA, POLB and C40 had begun discussions to establish a green and digital shipping corridor between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay port complex. This announcement was featured in the Green Shipping Challenge, launched by the United States and Norway during the World Leaders’ Summit at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27/CMP17/CMA4) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The Green Shipping Challenge hopes to encourage governments, ports, maritime carriers, cargo owners, and other stakeholders across the maritime value chain to commit to concrete steps to galvanise global action to decarbonise the shipping industry.

Mr Teo Eng Dih said, “The signing of this MoU signals our collective will to pool our resources, technical insights, industry and research networks to deliver scalable green as well as digital corridor solutions to help the maritime industry attain the 2050 emission reduction targets expected of the International Maritime Organization and help spur the development of green growth opportunities.”

“No single port or organisation can tackle the challenge of decarbonizing the supply chain alone, no matter how innovative their technology or robust their efforts. The establishment of this green shipping corridor between the San Pedro Bay Port Complex and Singapore will prove to be a living, breathing testament to the power of global collaboration,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said.

“I am honoured to be here with key leaders from MPA Singapore, the Port of Long Beach, and C40 Cities to sign this MOU turning a shared commitment to fighting climate change into a meaningful step forward toward the future of global sustainability.”

“Curbing greenhouse gases from international shipping is essential to fight global warming,” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said.

“Creating this green corridor with our partner ports and C40 Cities is part of our strategy to coalesce all of our efforts here and beyond to help advance our goals for cleaner marine fuels for oceangoing vessels, improve efficiencies for the global movement of goods, and to achieve a carbon-neutral future.”

C40 Cities Executive Director Mark Watts, said: "Delivering science-based, rapid and concrete action on shipping emissions is crucial to ensure the shipping sector decarbonisation is aligned with the goal of keeping global heating below 1.5°C. C40 is proud to support this first mover initiative aimed at accelerating the transition to low- and zero-carbon fuels and other decarbonisation technologies."

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 April, 2023

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.

Published

24 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

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

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.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

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

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.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Admin

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