LNG Bunkering

Study reveals achievable pathway to net-zero in Pilbara-to-Asia export trade through LNG bunker fuel

RINA completed a joint study with Pilbara Clean Fuels and Oceania Marine Energy revealing that Well-to-Wake emissions in Pilbara-to-Asia iron ore export trade route can be reduced by over 90% by 2050 through use of LNG.

Published

7 months ago

June 7, 2024

Admin

Classification society RINA on Wednesday (5 June) announced it completed a joint study with Pilbara Clean Fuels Pty Ltd and Oceania Marine Energy that revealed that Well-to-Wake emissions in the Pilbara-to-Asia iron ore export trade route can be reduced by over 90% by 2050 through the use of LNG.

RINA added that Western Australia is the largest producer of iron ore in the world, with current production of over 850 million tonnes per annum, the majority of which is exported from the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The following are the details of the study:

Key developments

- Pilbara Clean Fuels (PCF) is pursuing the development of an electrified LNG plant in Port Hedland, Western Australia aimed at producing low-carbon LNG marine bunker fuel.

- Oceania Marine Energy (Oceania) is developing a marine fuel bunkering business using purpose-designed LNG re-fuelling vessels to be chartered from Kanfer Shipping, Norway.

- RINA has developed an innovative concept for an LNG-fuelled 209,000 DWT Newcastlemax dry bulk carrier design incorporating pre-combustion carbon removal and hydrogen production to meet IMO 2050 Carbon Intensity Index (CII) requirements over the ship’s operating life.

In November 2023 PCF, Oceania and RINA signed an MoU to collaborate on studies to define the commercial and emissions reduction benefits their combined concepts could deliver to ship owners and charterers for the Pilbara to Asia dry-bulk minerals export trade route. The Joint Study has now been completed.

Study Findings

The findings demonstrate an accessible and achievable pathway to Net-Zero Emissions for LNG, on a Well-to-Wake basis, for international shipping on this trade. The study presents a flexible and commercially attractive IMO compliant marine fuel strategy to ship owners, operators and charterers amidst competing alternative fuel. It proposes a ‘Green Corridor’ marine fuels solution for the Western Australia to China bulk minerals export trade route.

Achieving Emissions Reduction

The low-carbon LNG plant by Pilbara Clean Fuels has the potential to initially produce LNG with emissions of less than 200kg of GHG per tonne, which can be further reduced to around 50kg/t LNG (and potentially to zero through technology improvements).

LNG bunkering in the Pilbara region offers a substantial voyage optimization by eliminating the need to deviate to other major bunkering hubs in the region, thus significantly reducing emissions. This also reduces by 25% the emissions associated with transporting LNG over long distances, compared to LNG bunkering in other ports and ensures competitive pricing for LNG.

RINA’s bulk-carrier ship concept features a novel propulsion arrangement which achieves a fuel saving of 12% when running on LNG at current market speeds and offers the charterer greater fuel flexibility and enhanced economic benefits by reducing LNG consumption. This can lead to lower fuel running costs, particularly when compared with traditional fuel oil.

It provides redundancy, significantly reducing the risk of black out, and does not suffer from well-known issues like acceleration through engine’s barred speed range. The ship can also harvest the benefits from wind propulsion.

The proposal is flexible in fuel selection and, most importantly, the use of hydrogen produced on board is on demand. This concept, which produces carbon dioxide that is captured and stored onboard, can be delivered price-competitive as it has been designed to retrofit emissions-reduction equipment in stages to suit the owners’ requirements. The design allows charterers to modify the vessels with modular hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage (CCS) equipment to meet GHG compliance as needed.

The bunker vessel design incorporates a hybrid energy system, including an 8MWh battery, allowing for emission free operation in port. This, alongside the onboard CGR-designed process plant for vapour recovery and re-liquefaction, significantly reduces emissions and enhances operational efficiency.

The CO2 generated from onboard pre-combustion hydrogen production can economically be integrated into the large volume CCS hubs currently being developed in the Pilbara region by various third-party proponents.

The combination of systems and technologies allows LNG-fuelled dry-bulk carriers to significantly reduce emissions today and to comply with the IMO 2023 GHG Reduction Strategy through to 2050.

The study concludes that by implementing this holistic combined systems approach, Well-to-Wake emissions for the Pilbara to Asia export shipping industry can be reduced by more than 90% by 2050. The reduction of GHG emissions is achieved by progressively decreasing the LNG fuel share to the engines while proportionately increasing hydrogen usage.

This allows for staged upgrades over the vessel’s lifetime to comply with the IMO requirements for continuously reducing GHG emissions. The ship-owner to decide which path to follow to stay ahead of compliance and competition. All necessary technologies for achieving Net Zero Emissions with LNG as a marine fuel already exist and are in use, marking the first time they have been proposed in combination, demonstrating a positive path to Net Zero Emissions for international shipping.

The Joint Study results present a significant opportunity for decarbonising shipping in the Pilbara region and beyond, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 7 June 2024

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LNG Bunkering

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Bunkering vessel “Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres of LNG bunker fuel to containership “MSC Adya” at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port port on 5 January.

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China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area on Wednesday (8 January) said Ningbo-Zhoushan Port successfully completed its first LNG bunkering operation for the year.

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres (m3) of LNG bunker fuel to containership MSC Adya at the port on 5 January.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading, the bunker supplier for the operation, successfully obtained the Zhoushan Anchorage LNG bunkering licence in June 2024, extending refuelling services from dock to sea.

The company’s services cover Meishan, Chuanshan, Daxie and other port areas.

As China's first river-sea LNG transport and bunkering ship, Hai Yang Shi You is currently placed permanently at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, providing a variety of bunkering methods such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading will continue to expand the scope of bonded LNG bunkering operations and new alternative fuels such as green methanol, ammonia and biofuels in the Zhoushan Area.

Photo credit: Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area
Published: 10 January, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Monjasa achieves milestone with first LNG bunkering operation in UAE

Monjasa-operated LNG bunker vessel “Green Zeebrugge” successfully delivered around 3,000 cubic meters of LNG marine fuel to Costa Cruises’ cruise ship “Costa Smeralda” on 4 January.

Published

4 days ago

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Monjasa achieves milestone with first LNG bunkering operation in UAE

Marine fuel supplier Monjasa on Wednesday (8 January) announced the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) and the Middle East region’s first LNG bunkering operation, which took place on 4 January at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal B together with Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation.

On this occasion, the Monjasa-operated LNG bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge went alongside the cruise ship Costa Smeralda and successfully delivered around 3,000 cubic meters of LNG.

On 18 December 2024, Monjasa announced the charter of the 5,000 m3 vessel Green Zeebrugge for operations in the UAE.

About a week later, on 26 December, Green Zeebrugge arrived in Dubai waters following the departure from Amsterdam in November.

The vessel was inspected by the authorities in Port Rashid on 27 December 2024, and the official bunkering permits were issued to Monjasa by the Dubai Maritime Authority and Dubai Ports Authority.

Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard, said: “We are excited about this first successful supply operation and to pioneer LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE.”

“However, reaching this milestone was only possible through the close collaboration of our forward-thinking partners at Carnival and Costa Cruises, ADNOC L&S and the UAE’s federal and local authorities, who are constantly embracing maritime innovation.”

“Together, we are all striving to position the UAE as a leading shipping hub in alternative fuels too.”

Photo credit: Monjasa
Published: 9 January, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Revitalising JCT Oil Bank will be key to unlock Sri Lanka potential in bunkering

Dr. Prabath Weerasinghe, a Senior Lecturer at University of Ruhuna, says analysts predict the country can generate about USD 5 billion annually from bunker fuel operations by 2030 if improvements are made to JCT Oil Bank.

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2025

Admin

Dr. Prabath Weerasinghe, a Senior Lecturer of the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering Faculty of Engineering at University of Ruhuna, shared that analysts predict the country can generate about USD 5 billion annually from bunker fuel operations by 2030 with a focused investment and improvements to Jaya Container Oil Bank Terminal (JCT Oil Bank):

Sri Lanka, strategically positioned on one of the busiest maritime routes in the world, holds immense potential to become a leading regional bunkering hub. Experts suggest that with targeted infrastructure upgrades and strategic policy initiatives, the country can generate nearly USD 5 billion annually from bunker fuel operations by 2030. The key lies in revitalising the Jaya Container Oil Bank Terminal (JCT Oil Bank) to match regional standards and meet the growing global demand for efficient bunkering services.

The Jaya Container Oil Bank Terminal, once seen as a critical asset for Sri Lanka’s maritime economy, has faced years of neglect, underutilisation, and inadequate capacity expansion. Despite its strategic location adjacent to the busy Port of Colombo, the terminal operates well below its potential. Competitors like Singapore, Fujairah, and Indian ports have surged ahead, offering large-scale fuel storage facilities, efficient refuelling systems, and world-class operational infrastructure.

The lack of consistent investment, outdated technology, and limited storage capacity at JCT Oil Bank has deterred major shipping lines and bunker operators from considering Sri Lanka as their preferred choice for refuelling.

The USD 5 Billion Vision

With global shipping volumes projected to grow steadily, the demand for bunker fuel is expected to rise exponentially. Analysts predict that with focused investment in the JCT Oil Bank Terminal, Sri Lanka could capture a significant share of the Indian Ocean bunkering market, generating approximately USD 5 billion annually by 2030.

Key improvements required to achieve this goal include:

Increased Storage Capacity: Expanding storage facilities to accommodate both conventional and sustainable fuels like LNG and biofuels.
Enhanced Distribution Networks: Modernising fuel delivery systems to reduce refuelling times and increase efficiency.
Policy and Regulatory Clarity: A transparent and investor-friendly policy framework to attract global players.
Technological Upgrades: Adoption of digital systems to streamline inventory management and improve transaction transparency.

Regional Competition: The Need for Urgency

Regional competitors like Singapore have set benchmarks in bunker fuel supply, handling nearly 50 million metric tons of bunker fuel annually. Ports in India, UAE, and Malaysia are also scaling up their bunkering capacities with substantial government backing. If Sri Lanka delays infrastructure upgrades, it risks losing market share to these emerging competitors.

Government and Private Sector Collaboration

Achieving this ambitious target requires strong collaboration between the government and private sector stakeholders. Private investment in storage infrastructure, technology integration, and distribution systems will play a crucial role. Simultaneously, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) must ensure that red tape is minimised, and strategic policies are implemented effectively.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has set strict emission targets for the shipping industry. As a result, the demand for clean fuels like LNG, biofuels, and green ammonia is expected to rise significantly. If Sri Lanka can position the JCT Oil Bank Terminal as a hub for sustainable fuel distribution, it will secure a long-term competitive advantage in the global bunkering market.

The Roadmap to 2030

Short-term (2024-2026): Immediate expansion of storage capacity and improvement of refuelling facilities.
Medium-term (2026-2028): Adoption of advanced technologies and digital systems for seamless operations.
Long-term (2028-2030): Integration of sustainable fuel infrastructure and establishment of global partnerships.

Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture. The Jaya Container Oil Bank Terminal is not just a piece of infrastructure—it represents a multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity. With the right mix of policy direction, strategic investment, and sustainable practices, Sri Lanka can re-establish itself as a leading bunkering hub in the Indian Ocean.

If the government prioritises the revival and expansion of the terminal, the country could unlock an annual revenue stream of USD 5 billion by 2030, boosting foreign exchange reserves, creating employment opportunities, and driving long-term economic stability. The time to act is now—delays will only allow regional competitors to widen the gap further.

Photo credit: Chathura Anuradha Subasinghe on Unsplash
Published: 9 January, 2025