Alternative Fuels News

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has launched the Trans Harmony Emerald, the second of two LNG-powered roros under construction for Toyofuji Shipping.The ship's handover is scheduled for June 2025 following completion of outfitting work and sea trials. The Trans Harmony Emerald will then serve on shipping routes in Asia.The vessel is approximately 195 meters in overall length, approximately 30.6 meters in breadth, and has gross tonnage of approximately 49,500. It can transport about 3…

Amazon.com and IKEA, in alliance with about three dozen other companies that depend on ocean freight, will invite shipping firms for the first time to bid on a contract in January to move their cargo on vessels powered by near-zero emissions e-fuels like e-methanol.The group known as the Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance wants to use the combined clout of its members, who have their own climate goals to meet, to create demand for e-fuels made with renewable electricity and carbon dioxide.

Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Maritime Decarbonisation Hub has conducted risk assessment workshops which indicate that a comprehensive overhaul of seafarer training is required as the industry transitions to zero and near zero GHG emission fuels.A report has been produced as a result of the workshops by the Maritime Just Transition Task Force (MJTTF), in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register’s Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Ocean Stewardship Coalition.

At one of the world's biggest bulk export ports in Western Australia, shippers safely completed the first transfer of ammonia from one vessel to another last month, a key test for its adoption as a marine fuel in the push for cleaner energy.The first cargo ships powered by ammonia are set to enter service in 2026, one of several alternatives the industry is tapping to shrink a carbon footprint that contributes nearly 3% of global emissions.But ammonia faces major cost and safety hurdles as a shipping fuel compared to liquefied natural gas (LNG)…

The shipping industry is looking into ammonia as an alternative fuel for powering ships, amid other ongoing plans to cut carbon emissions and achieve net-zero by 2050.Here is a list of companies with ammonia-fuelled ship projects:NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA (NYK)NYK, with IHI Power Systems and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), completed the world's first ammonia-fuelled tugboat, Sakigake, on Aug. 23. The vessel will operate in Tokyo Bay for three months.NYK is also building the world's first ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier…

In celebration of Clean Energy Month, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has highlighted propane’s role as a clean energy source for material handling applications.Propane produces 52% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than an equivalent amount of U.S. grid electricity, making it a more environmentally friendly choice, according to PERC.Propane is a clean-burning fuel that emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to gasoline and diesel.Forklifts powered by propane produce significantly lower levels of harmful emissions…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the energy transition of the global maritime and port sectors.Under the MoU, MPA and IRENA will promote knowledge exchange and best practices across the maritime and energy industries, focusing on clean energy infrastructure and supply chains for zero and near-zero emission fuel.Additionally, the parties will support countries in their transition through capacity-building training programs.

MAN Energy Solutions has set out to create a four-stroke, medium-speed, dual-fuel test engine that operates on ammonia.The company on Tuesday announced the initiation of the ‘AmmoniaMot 2’ research project, building on its recent success with the world’s first two-stroke ammonia engine. Launched in partnership with various industry and research institutions and is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the project kicked off in August 2024 and will span approximately 3.5 years.

ABS has completed a safety evaluation of ammonia dispersion on board an ammonia-fueled gas turbine LNG carrier design from Hanwha Ocean.ABS, in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations that modeled different ammonia release scenarios due to accidental leakages from the engine room, the pipeline and the bunkering stations on deck.The analysis confirmed that the system complied with applicable ABS Rules regarding the toxicity and risks of accumulated ammonia gas.

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and Hanwha Ocean have announced a five-year strategic partnership to advance low and zero carbon fuels, energy efficiency technologies and onboard carbon capture.The GCMD was established as a non-profit organization in 2021 founded by BHP, BW Group, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Foundation Det Norske Veritas, Ocean Network Express and Seatrium. GCMD also receives funding from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and bp…

Damen Shipyards, Windcat and CMB.TECH are celebrating the launch of the first of six commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV).The launch marks the inauguration of Windcat’s Elevation Series of offshore wind farm maintenance and support vessels.Damen is constructing all six CSOVs at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam. With this first CSOV in the water, Damen will continue with its outfitting and commissioning operations to prepare the vessel for delivery in Q2 2025.Damen, Windcat…

Brazil's Petrobras is discussing a partnership with Vale to help the mining company lower carbon emissions, the state-run oil firm's Chief Executive Magda Chambriard said on Monday.The two Brazilian companies are among the largest in Latin America by market value.Chambriard said the firms will "help each other" decarbonize, with a possible deal in which Petrobras would supply marine fuel and diesel with renewable content for Vale to run its railways, ships and trucks."It's an effort by the two largest companies in Brazil towards decarbonization," Chambriard told journalists.Petrobras is alread

New standards for bunkering methanol and ammonia will be developed by 2024 and 2025 respectively, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Wednesday.The world's largest vessel refueling hub is preparing for higher uptake of alternative bunker fuels, which shippers are considering using to help lower carbon emissions."The standards will cover custody transfer requirements, safety procedures and crew competencies, to ensure safe bunkering operations and handling of these fuels," MPA said in a statement issued during SIBCON 2024.There are currently no detailed standards or estab

The Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) project has welcomed the government of Greece, a nation that represents 20% of global shipping.The initiative aims to accelerate and de-risk the production, transport and use of low-carbon fuels that will be transported by shipping for the world.Greece joins the governments of Brazil, UAE, Canada, Norway, Uruguay and Panama, as supporters of this first of its kind cross sectoral public-private platform.Other new partners include ABS, Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub…

The global shipping industry is not on track to meet its target of having zero-emission fuels account for 5% of all fuels by 2030, according to a new report from the UCL Energy Institute, UN Climate Change High-Level Champions and the Getting to Zero Coalition.The third annual progress report, Progress Towards Shipping’s 2030 Breakthrough, warns that the next 12 months are critical to avoid shipping falling irreparably behind its climate goals.The IMO set a goal of ensuring that zero- or near-zero emission fuels make up 5% to 10% of all shipping fuels by 2030.

ABS has awarded approval in principle for two new autonomous technologies from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).The Unmanned Ammonia Engine Room technology allows for a remote propulsion control station with gas safety technology on the navigation bridge of an ammonia-fueled vessel with the capability to monitor the machinery space. The centralized control station can be periodically unattended and can take automated…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), through its wholly-owned subsidiary MOL Clean Energy US, has invested in HIF Global, a company developing and operating synthetic fuels (e-fuels) projects, including e-methanol which can be used as an alternative marine fuel for decarbonization of shipping industry.HIF has a production target of about 4 million tons per year of synthetic fuel (e-fuel) and synthetic methanol (e-methanol) from green hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recycled CO2 in four countries: the U.S.…

Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) developed the emergency response plan for the recent ammonia ship-to-ship transfer pilot conducted at the Port of Dampier in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.The operation was a a tripartite collaboration between the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), Pilbara Ports and Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA).Two transfers took place between the Green Pioneer, owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a 35,000 cubic meters (cbm) ammonia carrier, and the Navigator Global, owned by Navigator Gas, a 22,500 cbm ammonia carrier.

The European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) has released a position paper on a European Maritime Industrial Strategy as part of the new Clean Industrial Deal, saying that European shipping is a geopolitical asset for Europe and a cornerstone of the energy, food and supply chain security of the continent.European shipping controls 39.5% of the global tonnage. ECSA says that the European Maritime Industrial Strategy must be a core pillar of the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal…

The recently published Draghi report on the Future of European Competitiveness identifies shipping as one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise, requiring around 40 billion in annual investments between 2031 and 2050.The report highlights that the EU has limited installed capacity and planned production. The EU needs to start building a supply chain for clean fuels, or the costs of meeting its targets will be significant, says the new Clean Maritime Fuels Platform, a bottom-up industry initiative aiming to enhance communication between the shipping sector and fuel producers.

Data from the International Chamber of Shipping’s Barometer Report 2023-2024 indicates that improved clarity from governmental bodies such as the IMO has had a positive impact on the industry.Following a formal agreement at the IMO’s MEPC 80 to reach net zero GHG emissions by or around 2050, confidence is on the up. Almost 50% of C-suite maritime stakeholders responding to the ICS Barometer in 2023-2024 indicated improved willingness to invest in low and zero-carbon solutions following IMO agreement…

Propulsion system solutions provider HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering EP Division (HD KSOE EcoPhin) is teaming up with ammonia-to-power tech company Amogy to enhance ammonia-powered solutions across the maritime sector.The partners will set out to integrate HD KSOE EcoPhin’s eco propulsion systems—such as electrical and control systems—with Amogy’s ammonia-to-electrical power system to provide a turnkey solution to customers in the shipping industry to help with the electrification of their vessels.

Survitec, a provider of survival technology solutions, has welcomed recent fire safety guidance from classification society DNV but warns that additional steps are necessary to ensure methanol-fuelled vessels are fully fire-safe.In a study published in their White Paper, “Do we need new fire safety standards for methanol?”, Survitec reveals that traditional fire-fighting methods are inadequate for dealing with methanol fires. The findings, presented this week at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg…