DNV GL issued a white paper assessing alternative fuels and technologies. The white paper “Alternative fuels and technologies for greener shipping” takes a look at the price, availability, regulatory challenges and environmental benefits of alternative fuels and technologies, such as LNG, LPG, hydrogen, fuel cells, and hybrid and battery technologies.
The report also compares them with conventional fuel with scrubbers and new low sulphur alternatives. The fuels included in the white paper are those that the shipping industry uses the most: LNG, LPG, methanol, biofuel, hydrogen, battery systems, fuel cell systems, and wind propulsion.
Furthermore, the white paper examines what will affect the uptake of alternative fuels and technologies in shipping. The report notes that the majority of the ships that use conventional fuels will either switch to low sulphur conventional fuels, or use a scrubber system while continuing to use HFO.
For newbuilds, the sulphur cap could increase the need for alternative fuels, and LNG will be the prime contender among them. DNV GL’s Gerd Würsig, Business Director Alternative fuelled ships, said:
LNG has already overcome the barriers related to international legislation and is available in sufficient quantities today to meet the requirements of the shipping industry for many years. It also fits within the trend of demands to lower emissions of CO2, NOx and particulate matter. At the end of the day however, the best concept for a given application needs to be determined by the shipowner on a case-by-case basis, and at DNV GL we are ready to assist in finding the best solution.
For more information check DNV GL’s “Alternative fuels and technologies for greener shipping”
