Alternative Fuels
VPS: Shipowners turn to ‘highly reactive’ Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) biofuel blends for marine fuel
Competition for FAME from aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuel for vessels, explains Steve Bee.

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10 months agoon
By
Admin
The drive towards decarbonisation has lately brought shipowners to adopt Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) as a biologically renewable resource for marine fuel, learned bunkering publication Manifold Times.
“One of the latest biofuels to come into the marine market is CNSL,” said Steve Bee, Group Commercial Director, VPS at the VPS Biofuels Seminar on Wednesday (15 February).
“CNSL is a bio component used instead of FAME and is a naturally occurring byproduct of the cashew nut industry. It’s a substituted phenol, a low-cost renewable substance, and chemically reactive.”
Competition for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), a traditional component of biodiesel, from the aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuels for their vessels, explained Bee.
He highlighted properties of CNSL seemed to conform with the ISO 8217:2012 standard for marine distillate and marine residual fuels, but warned CNSL-blended fuels with MGO, VLSFO or HSFO have shown mixed reactions to vessel operations.
“Some CNSL-blends have been stored and burnt without issue, whereas others have given rise to operational problems including fuel sludging, injector failure, filter clogging, system deposits, corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings, and damage to SCR units, amongst others,” he shared.
“The thing to remember is CNSL, though not corrosive to copper or steel, is a reactive phenolic compound which can polymerise forming gums while also creating fuel deposits.”
According to Bee, CNSL is used as an effective monomer in many industrial plastic applications such as resin manufacturing, adhesives, laminates, and surface coatings production due to its ability to polymerise when heated above 200°C.
“CNSL is a long chain substituted phenol, which as a monomer is highly reactive,” he highlighted.
“The thing to be aware of for CNSL is it exhibits very high acid values usually greater than 3mg KOH/g; and considering the ISO 8217 limit is 2.5mg KOH/g, pure CNSL is highly corrosive.
“In terms of its iodine value, these are also very high at greater than 300 g I2/100g so it's highly reactive and less stable.
“Further, potassium levels within CNSL are typically high leading to potential post-combustion deposits and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings.”
Bee recommended shipowners to not use 100% CNSL as a marine fuel and advised stakeholders to initiate discussions with their OEMs on the material compatibility of CNSL-based biodiesel blended products.
“Though blending 100% CNSL will reduce its high acid number, reactivity and potassium levels while increasing energy content, the operation may increase sulphur, cold-flow and sediment potential issues instead,” he pointed out.
“CNSL blends can also significantly reduce hydrocarbon, CO/CO2 and smoke emissions, although they raise NOx emissions slightly.
“Absence of sulphur in CNSL will require marine engine lubrication oils with low TBN and high detergency in order to provide efficient engine lubrication and prevent scuffing.
“Don't try and store this material for longer than three months. And if that is unavoidable, then tests every couple of months for acid number, iodine value, plus obviously ISO 8217 parameters will have to be done.”
Moving forward, Bee was keen to introduce an Additional Protection Service for biofuels based on VPS’ experience of having tested more than 1,000 biofuels as marine fuels.
“Biofuels will certainly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from ships and certainly help towards a reduction in pollution from the global fleet,” he stated.
“But they do come with their own individual considerations in terms of transfer, storage and use. Good fuel management and understanding of the pros and cons of biofuels should mitigate the risks of using this particular material.
“My final message is please use VPS’ experienced expertise to support you, in your use of biofuels, to protect your assets, to protect the crew, and protect the environment.”
Related: VPS organises seminar on biofuel bunkers in Singapore
Related: VPS launches APS-BIO offering biofuels protection service against potential damage
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 17 February, 2023
Shipping Corridor
Singapore, LA and Long Beach unveil Partnership Strategy for Pacific Ocean green and digital shipping corridor
Ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between the three locations as well as estimate quantity of near-zero/zero-emission bunker fuels required for this traffic.

Published
8 hours agoon
December 7, 2023By
Admin
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and Port of Long Beach (POLB) on Wednesday (6 December) unveiled a Partnership Strategy for a green and digital shipping corridor (GDSC) across the Pacific Ocean at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The release of the Partnership Strategy follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by MPA, POLA and POLB during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2023. The MoU formalised the partnership, which is supported by C40 Cities, with the aim of establishing a GDSC connecting the three global hub ports.
The scope of cooperation through the Partnership Strategy and success indicators specified within build upon the MoU signed in April 2023 and reaffirm the corridor partners’ commitment to drive global action to digitalise and decarbonise the shipping industry and improve efficiencies.
The GDSC Strategy outlines steps to accelerate decarbonisation of the maritime shipping industry by enabling first mover organisations to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date, in support of the goals defined by the 2023 International Maritime Organization’s Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. The ports and C40 will work together and with value-chain stakeholders from the fuel and maritime sectors to:
● Coordinate decarbonisation efforts: GDSC partners will help to catalyse and coordinate efforts to enable ships calling at the Port of Singapore, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date.
● Build consensus on green shipping best practices: GDSC partners will seek to establish consensus around green shipping best practices and standards.
● Improve access to and adoption of technology and digital solutions: To enhance supply chain efficiency, resilience and decarbonisation while reducing costs and improving reliability, GDSC partners will work to develop and deploy innovative technology and digital solutions.
● Leverage networks: GDSC partners will work with stakeholders involved in other green shipping initiatives, including those established by the three ports and other parties, to scale the uptake of zero and near-zero emission technologies, fuels and energy sources.
To achieve these aims, a partnership structure and governance mechanism have been developed to provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of GDSC partners. The strategy also outlines processes for onboarding new participants, financial management, confidentiality and decision-making.
As next steps, the ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach. The study will estimate the quantity of near-zero and zero-emission fuels required for this traffic, and guide implementation by identifying opportunities for collaboration to advance the development of the GDSC.
The founding partners will now engage stakeholders from across the shipping and fuel supply value chains that share the GDSC's vision and aims, with the intention of onboarding new corridor participants in 2024.
Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “We are excited to see this partnership grow from strength to strength with the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor Partnership Strategy. We have embarked on evaluating the various digital solutions and zero and near-zero fuels options that could be trialled along the route between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay Port Complex. We look forward to the support of all the corridor stakeholders over the coming months to conduct trials and potentially scale them for wider adoption.”
"This Partnership Strategy document is the foundation upon which we'll build the future of maritime shipping,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “Our success requires the resolve and dedication of the three partnering ports as well as our industry partners. Together, we will model the collaboration necessary to achieve our climate and efficiency goals."
“Over the last two decades, we've learned that collaboration between maritime industry partners is the key to making meaningful progress in reducing emissions and cleaning the air,”Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said. “This trans-Pacific green shipping corridor takes this concept global. The strategies we develop here can be used as a roadmap by a larger network of seaports and supply chain companies to invest in programs, technologies, software and infrastructure to decarbonize international trade everywhere.”
C40 Executive Director Mark Watts, said: "C40 is proud to support our port partners in delivering this Partnership Strategy. The advancement of this Green and Digital Shipping Corridor brings the shipping sector one step closer to a 1.5°C-aligned trajectory. Green shipping is only achievable through collaboration because no one stakeholder can afford to move unless they know others are likely to follow. That’s where C40 is delighted to help, bringing our network of world-leading cities, which include most of the world’s largest and most forward-looking ports."
Note: The Partnership Strategy document can be viewed here.
Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 7 December, 2023
Biofuel
PIL and DP World embark on biofuel bunkering trials at Jebel Ali Port
Both parties will collaborate on trial shipments between Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and destinations within PIL’s network in near term which will include shipments on PIL’s vessels powered by a biofuel blend.

Published
8 hours agoon
December 7, 2023By
Admin
Singapore-based container operator Pacific International Lines (PIL) on Wednesday (6 December) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DP World, which handles around 10% of the world’s container trade, to jointly develop green solutions to decarbonise global supply chains.
In the near term, both parties will collaborate on trial shipments between Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and destinations within PIL’s network, with initiatives to reduce the shipments’ GHG footprint. This will include shipments on PIL’s vessels powered by a biofuel blend, biofuel bunkering, and deploying container handling equipment at terminals that run on renewable energy to handle the shipments.
Over the longer term, the companies will explore expanding this partnership to include other ports within DP World’s global network, and using other alternative bunker fuels, such as e-LNG, green methanol or green ammonia in PIL’s vessel operations and bunkering.
It was signed by Mr Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer, PIL and Mr Tiemen Meester, Group Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, DP World, at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), conveying their commitment to combating climate change and the collective goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 or earlier.
Mr Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer, PIL said: “Supply chain resilience and sustainability is the bedrock of global trade growth. With the renewed commitment by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) this year to take a significant step forward to decarbonise the shipping industry, we at PIL are responding actively to IMO’s call and working to invest in and implement green solutions to achieve our target of achieving net zero by 2050. In this regard, we are pleased to have DP World joining us on our sustainability journey. Capitalising on the combined strengths of our two organisations, we can both augment our sustainability efforts as we co-develop solutions to decarbonise our supply chains.”
Mr Tiemen Meester, Group Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, DP World, said: “Decarbonisation is the single biggest concern for DP World outside the constraints and the physical movement of goods. So, we are transforming our business and the impact global trade has on the climate. We have already committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2040 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. But we must explore partnerships with companies that share our ambitions and technology to be deployed right now for quicker results.”
Photo credit: DP World
Published: 7 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
8 hours agoon
December 7, 2023By
Admin
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

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