Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

V-Bunkers plans operations of up to four hybrid bunker tankers at Singapore market

Shift Clean Energy, with partner Red Offshore, and SeaTech Solutions have entered into a partnership to develop Singapore’s first hybrid bunker tankers.

Admin

Published

on

post 50436

Vancouver-based energy storage systems (ESS) solutions provider Shift Clean Energy (Shift) and Singapore-based vessel design and engineering firm SeaTech Solutions (SeaTech) on Tuesday (8 March) entered into a partnership to provide Vitol’s bunker operations company, V-Bunkers, with Singapore’s first hybrid bunker tankers.

The vessels will be designed by SeaTech, using Shift’s ESS systems. This marine electrification project will see up to four hybrid bunker tankers provided to V-Bunkers, all fitted with Shift’s 480-Kwh liquid cooled ESS and battery management systems. This will result in improved fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 10% a year.

Shift currently supplies battery-based ESS technology to the marine industry, as well as its PwrSwäp pay-as-you-go power service to on land customers such as ports, terminals, offshore wind farms and beyond. The use of battery technology in marine energy is quickly expanding as the shipping industry continues to transition to greener energy sources in the effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

Shift’s ESS will be primarily used for peak shaving (storing energy during low power consumption for use during peak usage periods, allowing main generators to operate with a more stable load). This solution helps to optimise energy use, significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs, improve responsiveness and reliability of power management and in turn enhances safety of operations.

“With our partners Red Offshore, we’re excited to be partnering with V-Bunkers on this important clean energy initiative for their hybrid bunker tanker operations in Singapore,” said Brent Perry, Shift’s CEO.

“This demonstrates that there are opportunities to reduce GHGs for oil and gas companies anywhere in the supply chain. V-Bunkers is showing tremendous leadership with this electrification project and Shift is proud to be part of such a huge step in decarbonising the short sea shipping sector. We look forward to developing our relationship with them and supporting their leadership in shifting to clean energy solutions in the sector.”

The move to adopt Shift’s clean energy solution will help decarbonise the V-Bunkers’ fleet operations and support the company’s ongoing emissions reduction and commercial objectives.

V-Bunkers is a supplier of barge logistics services in the port of Singapore. Their new venture into GHG-reducing ESS use builds on their commitment to achieving high standards of cleaner, more sustainable barge operatorship.

“A bunkering fleet is a crucial component of global shipping infrastructure, so it makes sense to look at ways to reduce GHGs here,” said Mike Muller, Head of Vitol Asia.

“Adopting the right fuel efficiency technology is imperative to the sector’s growth and development and we look forward to implementing Shift’s ESS to offer the highest levels of safety and efficiency throughout our bunker craft operations.”

Prabjot Chopra, Vice President of Technology of SeaTech, said: “We are delighted to work with Vitol’s Singaporean bunker operations company, V-Bunkers, which recently received the Green Ship Award from Maritime and Port Authority Singapore.”

“The new hybrid bunker tankers are tailored and optimised for their operating profile to reduce the GHG emission by about 10% without significantly increasing the capital expenditures. Shift’s ESS was specified for this design for its superior safety and efficiency.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 9 March, 2022

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

South Korea’s HJSC scores LNG bunkering vessel order from H-Line Shipping

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has secured its first order of the year with a contract worth KRW 127.1 billion (USD 87.6 million) to build an 18,000㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for H-Line Shipping.

Admin

Published

on

By

South Korean HJSC scores LNG bunkering vessel order from H-Line Shipping

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has secured its first order of the year with a contract worth KRW 127.1 billion (USD 87.6 million) to build an 18,000㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for H-Line Shipping. 

The contracted vessel is a large-scale LNG bunkering ship measuring 144 meters in length, 25.2 meters in width, and 12.8 meters in depth. It is capable of supplying up to 18,000㎥ of LNG in a single operation to LNG-fuelled ships. 

Equipped with two independent LNG tanks certified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the vessel features a dual-fuel propulsion system that allows it to operate on both eco-friendly LNG and marine diesel oil. This advanced system ensures both stability and operational efficiency while effectively reducing carbon emissions.

Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJSC, said, “As global LNG demand and supply continue to grow, the LNG bunkering vessel market will see steady expansion.” 

“We will focus on strengthening our expertise in building eco-friendly, high-value-added ships, securing a competitive edge that aligns with our legacy as a leader in shipbuilding.”

This achievement follows the company's success in 2014 when it built the world’s first 5,100㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for Japan’s NYK Line.

“This accomplishment also reinforces South Korea’s shipbuilding industry's efforts to enhance competitiveness by securing high-efficiency, environmentally friendly vessels in the global market,” HJSC said. 

“Notably, with the anticipated expansion of oil and natural gas drilling and the resumption of LNG exports under the second Trump administration in the US, the market for crude oil carriers, LNG carriers, and LNG bunkering vessels is expected to see significant growth.”

“This trend is likely to benefit the country’s highly competitive shipbuilding industry.”

 

Photo credit: HJ Shipbuilding & Construction
Published: 12 February, 2025

Continue Reading

Methanol

India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge to be part of new bunkering facility project

Construction of the bunker barge is part of a MoU between Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar and Deendayal Port Authority to develop a methanol bunkering facility at Kandla.

Admin

Published

on

By

India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge to be part of new bunkering facility project

India’s shipping company Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar on Sunday (9 February) announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deendayal Port Authority on 8 February to develop a methanol bunkering facility at Kandla. 

The firm said the construction of India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge will be a key part of this initiative to cater to the growing requirement for sustainable maritime fuel. 

“India’s first methanol bunker barge will be constructed at Deendayal Port, marking a significant step in accelerating green shipping and decarbonisation,” said Bhupendra Sinh Jadeja, Managing Director of Bapu’s Shipping. 

“With global ports like Shanghai, Ulsan, Singapore, and Rotterdam advancing methanol bunkering, India is stepping up! Deendayal Port Authority has committed to providing necessary infrastructure support to fast-track the bunker supply chain.”

“We are honoured to be their channel partner in this transformative journey.”

 

Photo credit: Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar
Published: 12 February, 2025

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

Argus Media: California aims to expand alternative bunker fuels

State senate bill 298, introduced by state senator Anna Caballero, would require a plan to be developed by 31 December 2030 for use and deployment of alternative marine fuels at California’s public seaports.

Admin

Published

on

By

resized argusmedia

California lawmakers will consider expanding alternative marine fuels use by ocean-going vessels on the state's coast.

12 February 2025

State senate bill 298, introduced by state senator Anna Caballero (D), would require the California State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission), the California Transportation Agency and the state board to develop a plan by 31 December 2030 for the use and deployment of alternative fuels at California's public seaports.

The plan should identify significant alternative fuel infrastructure and equipment trends, needs, and issues and describe how the state will facilitate permitting and construction of infrastructure to support alternative fuels. The plan should also identify locations for alternative fuel infrastructure, provide a reasonable timeline for its installment and estimate the costs, including public or private financing opportunities.

The bill also calls for the Energy Commission to convene a working group consisting of representatives of seaports, marine terminal operators, ocean carriers, waterfront labor, cargo owners, environmental and community advocacy groups, the Transportation Agency, the state board, the Public Utilities Commission, and air quality management and air pollution control districts. The working group will advise the commission.

The US territorial waters, including California's, are designated as emission control areas (ECAs). In the ECAs, the sulphur content of marine fuel burned by ocean-going vessels is capped at 0.1pc. Thus ocean-going vessels within 24 nautical miles of California burn 0.1pc sulphur maximum marine gasoil (MGO). Ocean-going vessels could achieve the equivalent of 0.1pc sulphur marine fuel emissions by installing marine exhaust scrubbers. But California has banned their use. California is the only US state that has banned the outright use of marine scrubbers.

California also requires that ocean-going vessels while at berth in California ports must either use shore power or use alternative technology such as batteries. The regulation came into force for container ships, reefers and cruise ships in 2023. It came into force this January for tankers visiting Los Angeles and Long beach and for roll on roll off vessels. Starting on 1 January 2027, it will apply to all tankers at berth in all California's ports.

US harbor craft vessels (such as barges, commercial fishing vessels, excursion vessels, dredgers, pilot vessels, tugboats and workboats) in California's waters are required to burn renewable diesel (R99 or R100). By comparison, elsewhere in the US, harbor craft vessels are required to burn ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD). In January, Los Angeles ULSD averaged at $773/t and R99 at $962/t.

By Stefka Wechsler

 

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 12 February, 2025

Continue Reading
Advertisement
  • Zhoushan Bunker
  • RE 05 Lighthouse GIF
  • Sea Trader & Sea Splendor
  • Consort advertisement v2
  • SBF2
  • v4Helmsman Gif Banner 01
  • EMF banner 400x330 slogan
  • Aderco advert 400x330 1

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

  • E MARINE LOGO
  • SEAOIL 3+5 GIF
  • HL 2022 adv v1
  • Triton Bunkering advertisement v2
  • Singfar advertisement final


  • Mokara Final
  • PSP Marine logo
  • Innospec logo v6
  • pro liquid
  • Kenoil
  • Auramarine 01
  • endress
  • Synergy Asia Bunkering logo MT
  • 300 300
  • intrasea
  • LabTechnic
  • Headway Manifold
  • VPS 2021 advertisement
  • 400x330 v2 copy
  • Advert Shipping Manifold resized1

Trending