LNG Bunkering

T&E: ‘Time to dump the obsession with LNG’

Use of LNG as fuel by the industry ‘is a decarbonisation dead-end’, says T&E shipping director Bill Hemmings.

Published

6 years ago

May 3, 2018

The shipping sector should focus on developing other types of technologies, rather than investing on the adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a bunker fuel to meet emission and decarbonisation goals, says the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E).

“Time to dump the obsession with LNG, which is a decarbonisation dead-end,” says T&E’s shipping director, Bill Hemmings.

“Time to properly focus EU research and innovation resources on new zero emission fuels and get moving with stakeholders to discuss them in detail.

“Focus some time on the European Innovation Fund and support projects to prove whether fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia work, and advance work on the deployment of battery technology in the marine sector.

“Time to consider new ways to generate R&D funding – an EU initiative could benefit European industry enormously and help get something going globally. And, of course, time to deliver on the immediate measures and pre-2023 emissions reductions.”

T&E notes it is now up to Europe and its climate allies “to get things moving” after the meeting at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) last month, due to “no progress” made at the IMO MEPC 72 meeting on agreeing a roadmap to develop measures needed to implement emissions cuts from the shipping sector.

“The lack of any clear plan of action to deliver the emissions reductions, including urgently needed short-term measures, is a major concern,” says the Clean Shipping Coalition (CSC).

The IMO meeting in London agreed to require the shipping sector to reduce its emissions by ‘at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008’, falling short of the 70-100% cut by 2050 that is needed to align shipping with the goals of the Paris agreement.

“The IMO should and could have gone a lot further but for the dogmatic opposition of some countries led by Brazil, Panama, Saudi Arabia,” says T&E’s shipping director, Bill Hemmings.

“Scant attention was paid to the US which also came out in opposition to the deal, aligning itself with Saudi Arabia.

“Nevertheless the IMO decision puts shipping on a promising track. It has now officially bought into the concept of decarbonisation and the need to deliver in-sector emission reductions, which is central to fulfilling the Paris agreement.”

Moving forward, T&E recommends European and other progressive states at the IMO to now focus on agreeing immediate and binding operational measures to reduce shipping emissions.

While any measures will need to take into account the maximum technological potential of the existing fleet, shipping companies have several additional options, including slowing down vessels, and retrofitting to reduce energy consumption.

Alternatively, switching ships to hybrid or fully electric modes or electrofuels (such as hydrogen or ammonia) while maintaining regular speeds may also be possible – as should be paying to not slow down by contributing to an independent ‘fleet improvement mechanism’ fund.

That fund could be used for individual ship improvement purposes, and research and development for meeting shipping’s emission and decarbonisation goals.

Photo credit: European Federation for Transport and Environment
Published: 13 April, 2018

LNG Bunkering

Peninsula supplies LNG bunker fuel to EPS crude oil tanker “Starway”

Peninsula’s LNG bunker vessel “Levante LNG” supplied “Starway” with approximately 3,500 cubic metres of LNG on 29 to 30 November at the Gibraltar Port’s Western Anchorage.

Published

3 days ago

December 8, 2023

Admin

Peninsula supplies LNG bunker fuel to EPS crude oil tanker “Starway”

Marine fuel supplier Peninsula on Thursday (7 December) said it has successfully completed the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel to Singapore-based, Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd.'s (EPS) Suezmax crude oil tanker Starway.

Peninsula’s Levante LNG, the company’s first purpose built 12,500m3 LNG bunker vessel, supplied Starway with approximately 3,500 cubic metres of LNG on 29 to 30 November at the Gibraltar Port’s Western Anchorage.

Nacho de Miguel, Peninsula’s Head of Alternative Fuels & Sustainability, said: “EPS vessels like the Starway and her sister, the Greenway, the world’s first LNG fuelled Suezmax tanker, are paving the way for a lower carbon future. Through our investment in assets like the Levante LNG we can close the supply chain loop to give these vessels access to lower-carbon fuels in the world’s leading ports. I want to thank EPS for partnering with Peninsula to help power them towards a more sustainable future.”

Capt. Suraj Sundaresan, General Manager, Operations at EPS, said: “Peninsula bridges shipowners like us who are at the forefront of the industry’s energy transition, and Ports who are evolving to host alternative-fuel powered vessels. Our vision to lower emissions is mirrored in Peninsula’s desire to provide lower carbon options today. The availability of low-carbon fuel supply is incredibly important. As the demand for alternative fuels towards decarbonisation increases, we rely on suppliers like Peninsula to help keep our state-of-the-art alternative-fuelled ships moving.”

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 8 December, 2023

LNG Bunkering

DNV awards AiP to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard for world’s largest PCTC design

DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle certificate to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) for its 11,000-CEU capacity LNG-fuelled PCTC design at Marintec China trade fair.

Published

4 days ago

December 7, 2023

Admin

DNV awards AiP to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard for world’s largest PCTC design

Classification society DNV on Wednesday (6 December) said it has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. for its 11,000-CEU capacity LNG-fuelled pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) design at the Marintec China trade fair.

Recognized as the world's largest PCTC, the 234m long and 40m wide ship will have 14 decks allowing 11,000 car equivalent units (CEUs) to be stored simultaneously, which not only increases efficiency but also reduces the transport cost per vehicle.

By implementing a combination of decarbonization measures, the so-called “Super Large Smart Green 11,000” design will result in a significant reduction in carbon emissions, in line with the stringent requirements of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 and NOx Tier III. The PCTC will use LNG as its primary fuel and will be equipped with a 4,200cbm LNG storage tank.

With the assistance of ship designer Deltamarin, the hull line of the vessel has been optimised through numerous CFD calculations and ship model tests. Additional energy-saving features include a stern flow optimization device and an air lubrication system, which effectively minimise resistance and reduce the required propulsion power. The integration of hybrid propulsion systems and solar power further underlines the commitment to reducing energy consumption.

"We expect the market for electric vehicles to continue to grow, driving demand for PCTCs. Scale, energy efficiency and low carbon fuel are key to reducing emissions from the transport of these vessels. As a leading class for car carriers, DNV is honoured to be entrusted with the assessment of this next generation of car carriers and we look forward to working with China Merchants to bring these vessels to the water," said Norbert Kray, Regional Manager Greater China at DNV Maritime.

According to China Merchants, the shipyard is already in discussions with potential customers for the 11,000 CEU PCTC.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 7 December, 2023

Alternative Fuels

China: ClassNK AiP issued to SDARI for three vehicle carrier designs with alternative fuel propulsion

ClassNK has issued AiPs for ammonia ready, methanol dual fuel and ammonia dual fuel vehicle carriers which were developed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute.

Published

4 days ago

December 7, 2023

Admin

China: ClassNK AiP issued to SDARI for three vehicle carrier designs with alternative fuel propulsion

Classification society ClassNK on Wednesday (6 December) said it has issued Approvals in Principle (AiPs) for three vehicle carrier designs developed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) at Marintec China 2023.

The first AiP acknowledged an ammonia ready, LNG dual-fuel vehicle carrier with a capacity of 7,000 CEU, a significant first in China’s independently developed design. SDARI integrated the GTT MARK III Flex containment system for LNG and ammonia fuel storage to maximise the cargo capacity efficiently.

ClassNK also granted AiPs for both methanol dual-fuel and ammonia dual-fuel vehicle carriers, each with a capacity of 10,000 CEU, which is envisioned to lead the development of ultra-large vehicle carriers.

‘SDARI has created these three models exemplify the new generation of green vehicle carriers, adaptable to various alternative fuel options and catering to future market demands,” ClassNK said in a statement.

“ClassNK has engaged in SDARI’s development projects, and carried out its review in accordance with the relevant standards, including its latest structural rules Part C and Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels.”

“Marking the AiPs as the milestone, ClassNK is committed to further providing expertise to assist the design firm’s initiative in expanding the industry’s pathway for the transition to decarbonisation.”

Photo credit: ClassNK
Published: 7 December, 2023