GREEN4SEA Singapore Forum: Decarbonization challenges for thought

The event was organized by SAFETY4SEA having SQE MARINE as the lead sponsor. The event was also sponsored by: ARCADIA SHIPMANAGEMENT CO. LTD, Blue Planet Shipping Ltd, Capital-Executive Ship Management Corp., Capital Gas Ship Management Corp., Capital Shipmanagement, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), EURONAV, Latsco Marine Management Inc., Lloyd’s Register (LR), NAPA, RISK4SEA, and SEAFiT.

Supporters of the event included the following organizations: GSR Services, INTERCARGO, Institutre of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), International Windship Association (IWSA), Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA), Singapore Maritime officers’ Union (SMOU), and the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs). Furthermore, Worldoils acted as the event’s media sponsor.

Opening the Forum, Apo Belokas, the Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA, greeted the attendees and speakers and expressed gratitude to all the event sponsors and supporters. He highlighted the significance of onboard connectivity, referencing the 2023 SEAFiT Crew survey. This survey, the largest of its kind worldwide, involved 1.6K ships and 19K seafarers and found that seafarers rely on high-quality internet access to maintain connections and communicate with their loved ones back on land, a need expressed by an astounding 91% of participants. In response, SAFETY4SEA has launched a petition advocating for industry leaders to support free internet access for maritime workers, with the goal of enhancing their well-being. Belokas encouraged everyone to actively participate in the campaign by signing, sharing, and engaging, underscoring the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and facilitate smoother communication between seafarers and their families ashore.

Session #1: Human factors’ role in energy transition

Apo Belokas, Managing Editor, SAFETY4SEA, gave an insightful presentation where he underscored that the maritime industry faces an uncertain future due to the complexities of decarbonization, rising operational costs, and a predominant focus on environmental sustainability over human factors. He pointed out that the commercial shipping sector, characterized by fragmentation and varying operational scales, has to face unique challenges. According to Apo Belokas, there is an urgent need to reevaluate the industry’s approach to upskilling and human capital management to keep up with this evolving environment.

Capt Yves Vandenborn, FNI, Executive Board member, The Nautical Institute, offered a presentation that provided an update on the Green Curriculum project that the Nautical Institute is currently involved with. This project focuses on developing and implementing training programs to educate and prepare crews for the use of alternative fuels in the maritime industry. The aim is to ensure that seafarers are adequately trained and competent to handle and manage vessels using alternative and sustainable fuel sources, supporting the industry’s transition towards greener shipping practices while taking the human factor into consideration.

Capt. Mohd Salleh, Specialist (Navigation & Shiphandling) & Special Projects, Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA), provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of alternative fuels expected to significantly impact the maritime industry. He discussed SMA’s innovative approach to curriculum development for new fuels, sharing insights into the detailed process of designing, developing, and delivering this curriculum, thereby shedding light on this crucial aspect of maritime education and practice.

Session #2: Maritime decarbonization

Madadh MacLaine, Secretary General, Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association, delivered an insightful presentation on ZESTA’s ShipZERO program. This program stands as a distinctive platform, bringing together top-tier experts from both the maritime and energy sectors. Its primary aim is to foster Absolute Zero Ecosystems, crucial for realizing the ambitious targets outlined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Ansuman Ghosh, Director Risk Assessment, UK P&I Club, emphasized that declaring a clear winner in the fuel race is premature, as the transition towards fuel technology maturity will unfold gradually, shaped by safety considerations, fuel availability, and infrastructure expansion. Ansuman Ghosh highlighted the importance of acknowledging an intermediary phase within the energy transition, moving away from a direct shift from fossil-based energy to a completely green fuel landscape. He also discussed the European Union’s initiatives, such as the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, providing insights into ongoing industry developments and best practices for managing emissions.

Gavin Allwright, Secretary General, International Windship Association (IWSA), emphasized that wind propulsion, as a zero-emissions energy source, is gaining momentum with fifty ships either already equipped or wind-ready. Allwright pointed out that the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) GHG strategy, which requires swift and substantial emission cuts, can be effectively addressed by wind propulsion technologies available today. Moreover, he pointed out that There are several policy and market drivers that align with technological and operational trends, accelerating the development and adoption of wind propulsion in the shipping industry.

Capt. Satinder Virdi, Principal Consultant, Head of Research and Development, Maritime Advisory, DNV Singapore Pte. Ltd., discussed the role of technical and operational measures in enhancing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management and emphasized the complexities involved in selecting the appropriate fuel, which depend on factors such as trade routes, fuel availability, vessel type, and stakeholder roles. Capt. Satinder Virdi also highlighted the importance of careful planning for crew competence and the Management of Change (MOC) in utilizing alternative fuels, underscoring the necessity of meticulous preparation to ensure the transition to alternative fuels.

Saunak Rai, Head of FueLNG and Asia Board Member of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), provided a comprehensive perspective on the alternative fuel pathways in the maritime industry’s transition. Rai emphasized that while alternative fuels offer promising solutions for decarbonization, they also present significant safety and infrastructure considerations that need to be addressed. He highlighted that the journey towards achieving zero-emission shipping is complex and not straightforward, requiring careful planning, collaboration, and innovation.

Session #3: Green shipping challenges

Jack Spyros Pringle, Lead Consultant, Business Advisory, Lloyd’s Register, focused his presentation on the development of effective transition pathways for vessels to align with emissions reduction targets. He emphasized the importance of robust techno-economic modelling to create a comprehensive chain of technical and operational solutions. Jack Spyros Pringle highlighted that developing a fleet-wide energy transition strategy is crucial not only for achieving emissions reduction goals but also for unlocking competitive advantages and implementing effective risk mitigation measures.

Yihu Wang, Sales Manager – Shipping Solutions, NAPA, delivered a presentation on leveraging the value of 3D design models for decarbonization within the maritime industry. To address this gap, Yihu Wang introduced NAPA’s collaborative digital twin project, designed to securely store and provide authorized access to these 3D models. This approach facilitates streamlined tasks such as performance analysis and evaluation of energy-saving devices, thereby promoting operational efficiency and supporting decarbonization efforts. Furthermore, he emphasized that collaboration among stakeholders is essential for effectively leveraging the capabilities of 3D design models in the maritime sector.

Capt. Akshat Arora, Senior Risk Assessor, UK P&I Club, provided an overview of ship recycling regulations, emphasizing best practices for the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) and highlighting the risks associated with non-compliance. Capt. Akshat Arora’s focus was on supporting sustainable practices throughout the lifecycle of a ship “from cradle to grave”, from its construction to its eventual recycling, ensuring adherence to regulations and promoting responsible and environmentally friendly ship recycling practices.

During the panel discussion, Peter Schellenberger, Director of Novamaxis Pte Ltd, emphasized the multifaceted challenges that the maritime industry must address to achieve a sustainable transition. He highlighted that these challenges extend beyond the adoption of alternative fuel paths and energy-saving technologies. He underscored the importance of navigating shifting regulations effectively, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and promoting a fundamental shift in attitude and thinking within the industry.

EXPLORE MORE ABOUT THE 2024 GREEN4SEA SINGAPORE FORUM HERE