SNIC 2022: DNV shares independent view on maritime innovation pipeline and green bunker fuels
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The shipping industry requires a mix of solutions – supply chain optimisation, energy efficiency technology and green marine fuels – to achieve decarbonisation goals set out for it.
This was one of the main highlights of Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, VP, Regional Manager South East Asia, Pacific & India, Maritime at DNV, communicated during her presentation titled Maritime innovation pipeline: An independent view at the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference (SNIC) 2022 on Friday (18 November).
“Obviously to achieve this, we cannot work alone in the industry. We need to make smart choices and that’s why the governments’ participation is important to keep moving forward,” she said.
Cristina pointed out shipping decarbonisation is already underway and is currently accelerating.
“We can see from the newbuilding order book that the number of new vessel contracts powered by alternative marine fuels have tripled from 2019 to 2022. This demonstrates shipowners are taking huge risks and making bold decisions which is a positive sign. The alternative bunker fuel mostly chosen by owners is LNG particularly for larger ships,” she added.
However, she emphasised it was important to differentiate between short sea shipping and deep sea shipping when it came to decarbonisation solutions.
“The solutions are totally different. Having said that, short sea shipping is a good testbed for solutions for deep sea shipping in the future.”
Cristina also highlighted key fuel technologies will be important enablers in the decarbonisation pathway with these available in between three to eight years.
“These include methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and CCS (carbon capture and storage). But we need to remind ourselves of our readiness for these technologies as safety is paramount. Should an accident happen, it would backfire the whole decarbonisation journey for the industry. Safety needs to be the foundation of it all.”
She then shared recent maritime innovation examples involving DNV in the green fuels arena.
These include:
- X-Press Feeders ordering eight 1,100 TEU dual fuel methanol powered container ships, classed by DNV, that are going to be powered by methanol and green methanol.
- DNV signing a collaboration agreement with Shell, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HyAxiom and Doosan to work on fuel cells for a gas carrier.
- Northern Xplorer choosing DNV to build the first zero emission cruise ship that is expected to be delivered in 2025/2026.
- DNV awarding an AiP for a green ammonia floating production unit developed by H2 Carrier
Cristina then ended her presentation by stressing that with new alternative bunker fuels and technology comes new safety risks for assets and crews.
“We in DNV are also trying to put some emphasis on that including collaborating with key institutions here in Singapore such as SIT to ensure we adapt the programmes and create relevant content for crews working in shipping companies.
“This move ensures whatever marine fuel or new technology is implemented, we do it in a safe manner and create a safe workplace and industry for all of us,” she said.
Photo credit: Norwegian Business Association (Singapore)
Published: 12 December, 2022
