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Towing of burning oil tanker “MV Sounion” underway in Red Sea

Earlier attempts to tow the vessel were abandoned after the operation was concluded to be unsafe by private companies responsible for the salvage operation.

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Towing of burning oil tanker “MV Sounion” underway in Red Sea

Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion, which was stranded in the Red Sea and on fire since 23 August after an attack by Houthi militants last month, is now being towed as part of a salvage operation, according EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, an EU military operation in the Red Sea on Sunday (15 September). 

ASPIDES said the salvage of the Sounion is a complex operation and consists of various phases.

“The tug boats have successfully connected to the vessel and the towing of the Sounion to a safe location is in progress,” it said in a social media post. 

“By providing protection to this operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES contributes to maritime and environmental security.”

Earlier attempts to tow the tanker were abandoned after the operation was concluded to be unsafe by private companies responsible for the salvage operation. 

“The private companies responsible for the salvage operation have concluded that the conditions were not met to conduct the towing operation and that it was not safe to proceed. Alternative solutions are now being explored by the private companies,” ASPIDES said earlier. 

In earlier posts, ASPIDES has stated that the salvage operation of the Sounion was essential in order to avert a potential environmental disaster in the region. 

In an urgent notice from Greece to IMO dated 29 August, a potential spill of about 2.2 nautical miles length was detected through a satellite image obtained in the evening hours of 29 August. 

“Greece urges all nations and all actors involved to assist in preventing the environmental hazard and resolving the solution the soonest possible.” 

Manifold Times previously reported that the US Department of State stating the Houthis’ continued attacks threaten to spill a million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster.

Related: Burning oil tanker “MV Sounion” unsafe to be towed, says EU mission
Related: US: Oil spill calamity four times “Exxon Valdez” disaster waiting to happen

 

Photo credit:EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
Published: 16 September, 2024

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Hydrogen

LR MDH joins call to accelerate adoption of zero-emission bunker fuels by 2030

Call to action organised by RMI, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, the UCL Energy Institute, and the United Nations Foundation.

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LR MDH joins call to accelerate adoption of zero emission fuels by 2030

Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (LR MDH) on Tuesday (12 November) joined more than 50 firms across the spectrum of the shipping value chain — e-fuel producers, vessel and cargo owners, ports, and equipment manufacturers — in signing a Call to Action today at COP 29 to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission marine fuels.

Organised by RMI, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, the UCL Energy Institute, and the United Nations Foundation, the Call to Action demonstrates strong industry momentum to invest in decarbonisation through scalable zero-emission marine fuel pathways.

The joint statement calls for faster and bolder action to increase zero and near-zero emissions fuel uptake, investment in zero-emissions vessels, and global development of green hydrogen infrastructure, leaving no country behind.

James Forsdyke, Managing Director of LR MDH, said: “We are proud to be part of this initiative dedicated to expand the production of green hydrogen as a marine fuel or as an enabler for synthetic zero to near-zero carbon fuels. One of the biggest tasks ahead of us is developing a robust and reliable green hydrogen supply chain to deliver zero carbon fuels to vessels in key maritime hubs in ways that are safe, sustainable and that benefit all shipping stakeholders, particularly seafarers and port communities.

“In line with the Lloyd's Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub's mission to accelerate the safe, sustainable, and human-centric transition of the maritime industry, we have spearheaded initiatives like the Silk Alliance green corridor cluster and Maritime Fuel Supply Dialogues, to aggregate first mover efforts at a regional level and create stronger infrastructure for green hydrogen projects. Being part of this call to action reinforces our commitment to advance the use of hydrogen produced from renewable resources as an important tool in decarbonising shipping.”

In anticipation of this regulatory milestone, the signatories outline several key recommendations to expedite the adoption of hydrogen-derived fuels, namely the need for clear, ambitious mid-term measures; a balanced approach to revenue distribution to help bridge the cost gap between fossil fuels and scalable zero-emission fuels (SZEFs); and evidence that key milestones for practical use of SZEFs are advancing.

To align with a 1.5°C pathway, global green hydrogen production must double by 2030, translating to the uptake of at least 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen in the shipping sector. To accomplish this, coordinated action is needed across the supply chain to expand the supply and adoption of zero or near zero-emission shipping fuels such as e-ammonia and e-methanol, build up the ecosystem synergistically, and deliver on a just and equitable transition.

Close collaboration between green hydrogen producers, shipping actors, and policymakers is vital to securing the enabling conditions and investments that will deliver shipping’s clean energy transition.

“The Green Hydrogen Catapult is proud to support this initiative. Collaboration across the maritime value chain is key to an accelerated, just, and equitable transition of the sector to renewable fuels, and partnerships are key to building and maintaining momentum,” said Oleksiy Tatarenko, the leader of RMI’s hydrogen initiatives and the Green Hydrogen Catapult, a coalition of green hydrogen market leaders promoting the aggressive global adoption of green hydrogen.

Ports and port service companies, alongside financiers, have also added their support to the Call to Action, committing to investing in hydrogen-derived fuel infrastructure and safety projects to support bunkering of e-fuels.

 

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub
Published: 13 November 2024

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Alternative Fuels

Report: €40 billion needed for EU shipping’s energy transition

Building a supply chain for clean fuels in Europe is a priority for the industry to meet its decarbonisation targets and for Europe to achieve its climate targets, say stakeholders.

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Clean Maritime Fuels Platform

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform on Thursday (7 November) called on policymakers to create the regulatory conditions to unlock investments in the production of clean maritime fuels in the EU.

The Draghi Report estimates that €40 billion in annual investments will be needed between 2031 and 2050 for the energy transition of shipping.

Building a supply chain for clean fuels in Europe is a priority for the industry to meet its decarbonisation targets and for Europe to achieve its climate targets.

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform supports the report’s conclusions regarding the need to:

  • De-risk investments in renewable and low carbon fuels, for example via schemes based on Contracts for Difference and auctions as a service.
  • Launch dedicated sectoral calls under the Innovation Fund for the first deployment of decarbonisation solutions. The 20 million EU ETS allowances allocated to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector until 2030 should be used as soon as possible.
  • Expand existing funding mechanisms for refuelling and recharging infrastructure.
  • Start building a supply chain for renewable and low-carbon fuels in the EU.

European manufacturing capacity should match demand for clean shipping fuels in Europe as much as possible, in line with the benchmark of the Net-Zero Industry Act.

“The Draghi Report has recognised the global leadership of European shipping and the need to remain internationally competitive. In order to meet our targets, we need clean fuels available in the market in sufficient quantities and at an affordable price. To ensure that the shipping energy transition happen, the EU should de-risk investment in renewable and low carbon fuels and start building a supply chain for renewable and low-carbon fuels in the EU. Moreover, existing funding mechanisms for refuelling infrastructure should be expanded to better ensure the security of supply of clean fuels for shipping”, said Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General.

"Mr. Draghi’s report acknowledges the strategic role of renewable and low-carbon fuels, particularly in decarbonising all transport modes. His report highlights the EU's leadership in this area and calls for a truly technology-neutral approach. We, European Fuel Manufacturers, believe the right EU policy framework and subsidies can create a robust business case to attract private investments and avoid de-industrialization, help the EU successfully deliver climate neutrality by 2050, ensure a secure supply of energy, and foster innovative, EU-based, globally competitive industry for the welfare of EU economies and citizens", stated Liana Gouta, Director General of FuelsEurope.

“By linking the FuelEU Maritime with the supply mandates of the Renewable Energy Directive and abolishing stringent eligibility criteria, we can gradually increase eFuel capacities in the maritime sector.”, said Ralf Diemer, Managing Director of the eFuel Alliance.

“The following decade will lead to a fundamental shift in the European maritime fuel supply structure owing to the introduction of new regulations. The Draghi report places renewable and low-carbon fuels at the forefront of decarbonisation for the hard-to-abate maritime sector, and our industry is fully ready to support European shipowners to achieve this transition in a sustainable and cost-efficient way”, said Angel Alvarez Alberdi, Secretary General of EWABA.

“It is crucial to create a fertile environment for companies to invest in the production of competitive clean shipping fuels in Europe. Building on the Net-Zero Industry Act and the recommendations of the Draghi report, policymakers need to focus on to the importance of building a robust European supply chain for hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives in the maritime sector”, said Daniel Fraile, Chief Policy Officer of Hydrogen Europe.

“In the spirit of the Draghi-report, and for stimulating public and private investments, the EU should ensure that its regulations are in line with global developments, also in the maritime domain and notably with the IMO”, said R. Tim Eestermans, Managing Director Europe, Methanol Institute.

 

Photo credit: Clean Maritime Fuels Platform
Published: 11 November 2024

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Alternative Fuels

New agreements inked to advance marine electrification in Singapore

Lita Ocean, SeaTech Solutions, Pascal Technologies, and Evoy will develop a fully electric passenger harbour craft, specifically for Singapore, while Yinson GreenTech and Evoy will develop electric vessels.

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New agreements inked to advance marine electrification in Singapore

Innovation Norway and Team Norway on Wednesday (6 November) announced two agreements aimed at advancing sustainable maritime solutions, signed at the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference (SNIC) 2024.

The first agreement—a Letter of Intent (LOI)—was signed by Lita Ocean Pte Ltd, SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd, Pascal Technologies AS, and Evoy AS, to develop a fully electric high-speed harbour craft specifically designed for Singapore’s maritime landscape. The second agreement—a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—was signed between Yinson GreenTech and Evoy, aiming to foster collaboration in marine electrification across Asia. 

The LOI signed between Lita Ocean, SeaTech Solutions, Pascal Technologies, and Evoy marks a key milestone in Singapore’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize its maritime industry. 

The project will develop a fully electric passenger harbour craft, integrating cutting-edge technologies like advanced electric propulsion and air lubrication systems to maximise energy efficiency and performance. This new vessel will set new standards for sustainable harbour operations and support Singapore’s green transformation goals in maritime transportation. 

Evoy sign MOU in Norway Singapore agreement 02

The collaboration builds on previous advancements in electric harbour crafts in Singapore, positioning the project as a critical step toward achieving maritime decarbonisation and a cleaner, greener future for the region. 

Additionally, Yinson GreenTech and Evoy have signed an MoU that will combine their strengths to drive marine electrification in the region. Yinson GreenTech’s electrification solutions, paired with Evoy’s electric propulsion systems, will support the conversion of internal combustion engine (ICE) vessels to electric power and foster the development of new electric vessels. 

This partnership is aimed at advancing the transition to a more sustainable maritime industry, with the shared goal of exploring new opportunities, collaborating on upcoming projects, and playing a key role in the broader transition to greener shipping solutions in Asia. 

The MoU was signed by Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV at Yinson GreenTech, and Mads Roland-Glimsholt, Business Development Manager at Evoy. 

“As a proud partner in this Norway-Singapore initiative, Evoy is excited to bring our high-performance electric propulsion systems to Singapore’s maritime landscape. We are committed to setting new standards in sustainable harbour craft and working with our partners to support a greener future in maritime transport” Mads Roland-Glimsholt, Business Development Manager at Evoy. 

 

Photo credit: Evoy
Published: 8 November, 2024

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