Technology

Stakeholders conclude 15-year FellowSHIP hybrid vessel project

‘I think we can safely say that the marine battery revolution started with Viking Lady,’ says DNV GL.

Published

6 years ago

August 6, 2018

Admin

Stakeholders Eidesvik, Equinor, Wärtsilä and DNV GL have closed the books on the 15-year FellowSHIP project to study the application of battery and hybrid power on board ships.

The FellowSHIP project was started in 2003 when partners began laying the groundwork for marine fuel cell technology, developing a proof of concept and the basic implementation principles, all of which culminated in the installation of a prototype fuel cell on board Eidesvik Offshore’s Viking Lady PSV in 2010.

Over the life of the project, the focus shifted to demonstrating the applicability of hybrid battery power systems, especially lithium ion batteries. Now, with class rules established and the technology fully commercialised, the partners have decided that it is time to close the book on the FellowSHIP project.

“Eidesvik is continuously searching for the most forward-looking, efficient and environmentally friendly ship designs and operational solutions for our fleet,” says Vermund Hjelland, Vice President Technology and Development for Eidesvik Offshore.

“Upgrading four of our ships with battery systems since 2016 would never have happened without the results, experience and knowledge obtained through the FellowSHIP project.”

“Equinor’s ambition is to be a leader in carbon-efficient oil and gas production, and to reduce emissions from our logistics activities,” says Helge Såtendal, Principal Consultant, Supply Chain Management, Marine Operations for Equinor.

“Batteries on platform supply vessels allow for more efficient operation of motors, reducing CO2 and NOx emissions and lowering fuel consumption.”

“FellowSHIP has been an important project for demonstrating, validating and documenting new, efficient and low-emission technologies,” says Ingve Sørfonn, Head of Technology & Development for Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, Power Conversion.

“The fuel savings and emission reductions achieved during the different phases of the project have been enablers for developing the maritime industry in a more sustainable direction.”

“Battery and hybrid technology would have made an impact on shipping eventually, but looking back over these 15 years, I think we can safely say that the marine battery revolution started with Viking Lady,” says Øystein Alnes, Principle Maritime Engineer at DNV GL – Maritime.

“This project has benefited a great deal from the funding and support of the Norwegian Research Council and is a perfect illustration of how public–private partnerships can help to bring new technologies to market and spur advances in key national industries.”

Photo credit: DNV GL
Published: 6 August, 2018

Classification Society

LR: Risk sharing key component to viable emissions reduction

When major change is introduced on a ship, there are numerous aspects to consider by all stakeholders involved which all add risk.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 31, 2024

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Shipping must be open to sharing the risks associated with emissions reduction to enable the uptake of energy savings devices and technologies (ESDs/ESTs) and digital applications, stated classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) representatives during a presentation at Athens during early December.

The responsibility of investing in and driving the uptake of new solutions must be borne by all relevant stakeholders and not sit solely with the shipowner. This extends not only to financial exposure, but also new vessel design and data sharing.

When major change is introduced on a ship, there are numerous aspects to consider by all stakeholders involved which all add risk. Energy producers, the energy consumers, the associated supply chains, and the investors, insurers, regulators, class societies and governments – all have critical, but different and highly inter-related roles to play within the transition.

“We are in a new era of shipping that comes with a different set of rules, including shipping companies’ approach risk and risk sharing,” shared Elina Papageorgiou, Global Strategic Growth Director and VP Greece and Cyprus at LR at the Powering Progress: Innovation and Energy in Maritime event.

“Longer-term investment decisions should also be informed by the decisions of shipping’s clients’, clients – the cargo owners – and align with their emissions reduction ambitions.”

David Lloyd, Director, Energy Transition at LR, meanwhile noted: “Smart vessel operation and well-informed, data-led investment decisions can significantly support vessel compliance. What’s more, investments don’t have to be extensive to achieve results.”

“Whilst uncertainties around bigger challenges such as alternative fuels and future requirements are resolved, ESDs and digital solutions can support the commercial viability of vessels as we approach 2030 with often surprisingly low levels of investment. But these investments should be shared across all stakeholders and not be limited to owners and financiers.”

Fotis Belexis, Technical Director of Starbulk Carriers, were amongst speakers discussing risk sharing across stakeholders for complex capital investments.

He pointed out that as existing vessels age, they cannot be replaced by newbuilds as there is insufficient global shipbuilding capacity to replenish the fleet with newer tonnage.

As such, older vessels may therefore remain in the market for longer than expected and not depreciate in value as has been the case in the past. Banks and other lenders must realise this and adjust their depreciation and lending models to suit when ship owners want to finance retrofits of ESDs on their older ships.

Moving forward, the room agreed energy saving devices (ESDs), such as wind-assisted ship propulsion, digital solutions and smart operations should all be considered as the in-service fleet using traditional marine fuels seeks to shave its bunker fuel consumption to comply with IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator, EU ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) and FuelEU regulations – the latter will which be in effect as of 1 January 2025.

As emissions reduction targets increase, with steeper increments than currently planned potentially being announced at the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in May next year, data-led insight and scenario planning will become more important to understand where efficiencies can be gained.

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 31 December 2024

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: ExxonMobil completes 100 digital bunker deliveries with Bunkerchain

“As the first accredited bunker fuel supplier to introduce MFMS in Singapore, we are proud to lead the way in implementing eBDNs,” the company said in a social media post.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 23, 2024

Admin

ExxonMobil on Friday (20 December) said it has successfully completed over 100 bunker deliveries using electronic bunker delivery notes (eBDNs) in collaboration with Singapore-based Bunkerchain, its first approved eBDN vendor.

“As the first accredited bunker fuel supplier to introduce MFMS in Singapore, we are proud to lead the way in implementing eBDNs,” the company said in a social media post.

Ognjen Plakalovic, Head of Asia Pacific Aviation and Marine Sales, ExxonMobil, said: “Our implementation of eBDNs is expected to help drive efficiency, enhance trust, and boost productivity. We continue to advocate for transparency and value the advantages of digitisation.”

Starting from April 1, 2025, marine fuel suppliers in Singapore must offer digital bunkering services, including electronic bunker delivery notes (eBDNs). The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) expects this initiative to save the industry up to 40,000 man-days annually.

According to the MPA, the move will also enable more efficient data sharing between bunker buyers and suppliers, which will help streamline administrative processes, improve accountability, and facilitate regulatory compliance.

“Integrating eBDNs with mass flow metering systems (MFMS) greatly minimizes the risk of manual errors or intentional tampering with fuel quantity figures, thereby enhancing integrity and trust in fuel transactions,” the company added.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 December, 2024

Alternative Fuels

NYK and Yusen Logistics introduce digital platform for GHG emission management

NYK and YL will use the platform by allocating to platform customers the GHG emission reductions achieved through use of alternative fuels in their ocean, air, and land transport services.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 23, 2024

Admin

NYK and Yusen Logistics introduce digital platform for GHG emission management

Japanese shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) on Thursday (19 December) introduced a digital platform with Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd. (YL) for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions.

The platform is provided by 123Carbon B.V. (123Carbon), a Netherlands-based startup working on decarbonising the logistics sector.

NYK and YL, a comprehensive logistics group, will use the platform to support the reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions by allocating to platform customers the GHG-emission reductions achieved through the use of alternative fuels in their ocean, air, and land transport services and issuing certificates confirming those reductions.

Process for Managing and Allocating GHG-Emission Reductions

NYK

Generates and manages GHG-emission reductions through the use of biofuels in its bulk shipping business, recognises the environmental value of these reductions, then allocates them to YL and issues a certificate of confirmation. The first allocation will be completed on the platform after verification by a third-party certification organisation.

Procures GHG-emission reductions generated by ocean shipping companies like NYK and its airline partners and provides accompanying certificates. Additionally, for land transport, YL will utilise sustainable fuels derived from waste cooking oil and other renewable materials to power its own trucks in some countries and areas, actively creating and managing GHG-emission reductions as a transport operator. A one-stop service on the platform will be officially launched by YL shortly.

Key Features of the Platform

Customers can monitor GHG-emission reduction methods and the alternative fuels used to generate the reductions.
The management and allocation of GHG-emission reductions are secured using blockchain technology to prevent data tampering.
The entire process, from calculating GHG-emission reductions to allocating, is verified by a third-party certification organisation to ensure the platform's reliability and transparency.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 23 December, 2024