Tag: alternative fuels

Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, attended Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2019 Conference and focused on the countdown to compliance of IMO 2020 and the concerns around it, such as availability, quality, and cost.

During his presentation at the last GREEN4SEA Conference, Mr. Bill Stamatopoulos, VeriFuel’s Business Development Manager for South Europe, discussed the possible challenges that the shipping industry will face regarding the 2020 compliant fuels regulation. Mr. Stamatopoulos explained that the supply chain must cooperate and improve transparency in the bunker sector when the 2020 sulphur cap regulation comes into force.

Seaspan Corporation announced a framework agreement on April 2, regarding a strategic cooperation with COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation Co., Ltd. The two companies will enhance their collaboration regarding LNG investments, LNG projects, LNG transportation, ethane transportation, or other related and mutually beneficial projects.

DNV GL published a new report, revealing that the vast majority (85%) of professionals working in the LNG sector consider that more investment is necessary in LNG infrastructure to meet forecasts for growing global demand after 2025. On the other hands, 69% stated that uncertainty regarding prices is limiting spending in the mega-projects needed to feed the world's growing demand for LNG.

Lloyd’s Register witnessed a process demonstration, in which the exploration and drilling company Genoil used a hydroconversion upgrader to convert high sulphur heavy fuel oil into IMO 2020-compliant marine fuel. During the desulphurisation process, the sulphur content of an HSFO was reduced from 1.72% to 0.38%.

The Friends of Ocean Action, a coalition of over 50 ocean leaders who seek solutions to the most pressing challenges for the ocean, organized an Ocean Day in Davos, in the beginning of March. The event touched upon shipping emissions and the possibility of a carbon free future.

During his presentation at the last GREEN4SEA Conference, Mr. Paul Flaherty, Director, Fleet & Technical Operations, Navigator Gas, gave emphasis on ethane as a marine fuel. Mr. Flaherty also presented the case of Navigator Aurora, which was the first conversion of LNG-I engine to an ethane burning GI-E engine.

At the last GREEN4SEA Conference, Mr. Panos Zachariadis, Technical Director, Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management Ltd, provides an overview of alternative fuels such as natural gas, methane and hydrogen. He presents the pros and cons of each fuel, but highlights that new technology is necessary to make IMO’s goals reality.

The Port of Antwerp plans to launch a hydrogen bunkering station during 2019, its CEO Jacques Vandermeiren informed during a recent forum. This development comes as the Port aspires to become multi-fuel, bringing several alternative fuels for the shipping industry, such as LNG and methanol. The Port of Antwerp is now working on the logistics of the project, while a timeline cannot be confirmed yet.

UAE-based bunker supplier GP Global informed that it will be preparing to start providing 0.5% sulphur fuel starting from the beginning of April ahead of the IMO 2020 sulphur cap. The fuel will be available in major ports and at delivery points of Rotterdam/ARA, Fujairah and Singapore. By the fourth quarter of 2019, the company plans to extend the LSFO availability to smaller ports as well.