Baltic Exchange on Wednesday (12 March) introduced a series of green fuel options to its FuelEU voyage and compliance cost calculator as more shipowners, traders and charterers seek to understand the commercial implications of this regulation on their voyage costs.

Biodiesel, bio-LNG, bio-LPG, green methanol, green hydrogen and green ammonia have all been added to the calculator, either as green fuel or blend options. Baltic Exchange’s FuelEU Maritime calculator provides an overview of the cost implications for the selected option relative to the Baltic standard for that route. This will enable the market to factor any change in fuel selected or contemplated into their voyage cost estimates.

“Green fuels are expected to be very expensive initially, so will likely be blended into fossil-derived fuels initially, to achieve compliance with the new FuelEU Maritime regulation. For this reason and based on industry feedback, we have added a blend capability to Baltic Exchange’s FuelEU compliance and fuel cost calculator,” said Martin Crawford-Brunt, Emissions Lead at Baltic Exchange.

“Baltic Exchange is assisting the market by cutting through the considerable complexity of these regulations by providing a simple decision-making tool that estimates the voyage costs of the many fuel and blend alternatives quickly and simply,” he added.

“With the latest update to Baltic Exchange’s FuelEU Maritime Calculator, users now have the ability to experiment with any green fuel blend percentage taking into account the assumed green fuel cost premium and the expected well-to-tank emissions profile for the specific green fuel blend selected,” Crawford-Brunt noted.

“Regulations like FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS will become increasingly impactful on voyage costs to and from the EU. All contracting parties, their brokers and traders need to be able to estimate these additional costs quickly to avoid facing high financial penalties.” 

Photo credit: Baltic Exchange
Published: 17 March, 2025

Classification society DNV on Tuesday (11 March) has published a slideshow to highlight key findings and recommendations from its new white paper on how wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) can help shipowners meet GHG regulations and cut compliance costs.

The paper offers crucial guidance and considerations to determine the most suitable WAPS business case for specific operational and decarbonization needs. 

DNV said WAPS have already delivered significant fuel savings and GHG emission reductions in recent years. 

“However, it is a complex topic requiring a thorough evaluation process to find the best system for your operational and design requirements to unlock the full decarbonization potential,” DNV said. 

DNV recommended that to identify design and operational challenges to successful WAPS implementation, the decision making process starts by assessing the technical feasibility early on in the planning stage. 

Note: The new slideshow can be found here while the white paper can be downloaded here. 

Photo credit: Berge Bulk
Published: 13 March, 2025

Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) and marine engineering solutions provider DongHwa Entec (DHE) on Monday (10 March) announced their collaboration on the development and installation of a High-Pressure (HP) Compressor for an 18,000 TEU LNG-fuelled container ship under construction at China’s NTS Shipyard. 

The companies said the initiative marks a significant advancement in LNG fuel gas supply systems, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to sustainability and technological innovation.

This collaboration optimizes the utilisation of Boil-Off Gas (BOG) to enhance fuel efficiency and, in return, significantly reduce environmental impact. With the HP Compressor integrated, the vessel will be able to channel BOG directly into the main engine, minimising emissions and maximising fuel efficiency, a major leap forward in decarbonizing shipping operations.

As a manufacturing-based engineering specialist with expertise in gas fuel supply systems, cargo handling system (CHS) and other gaseous process advanced system solutions, DHE is strengthening its leadership in sustainable marine engineering solutions. 

Its affiliate, DongHwa Pneutec, a recognised leader in compressor manufacturing, traditionally specialised in Low-Pressure (LP) Compressors, will expand its product range to include HP Compressors with this project, broadening its expertise and market reach in advanced LNG technologies.

“This collaboration underscores EPS and DHE’s shared vision for a greener maritime industry, driving innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. By advancing LNG fuel technologies, both companies will stay committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable shipping,” it said.

Photo credit: Eastern Pacific Shipping
Published: 12 March, 2025