Methanol Central to Eco-Friendly VLCC Vessel Design
Idemitsu Tanker Co., Ltd., IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (IINO Lines), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. announced that the consortium established in early 2024 for the joint research and development of an eco-friendly very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) has produced a design concept for Japan’s first Malacca Max type VLCC to use methanol as alternative fuel.To provide power while sailing, the vessel will be equipped with a shaft generator and the latest dual-fuel main engine that can use methanol and heavy oil as fuel.
Exhaust-sucking Barges Slash Ship Emissions in Port
STAX Engineering, based in Long Beach, California, has experienced significant growth since launching its innovative emissions capture and control technology earlier this year.Available as a land- or barge-based solution, the company’s mobile, flexible exhaust capture system is designed to fit all ships without modification, removing 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from all exhaust funneled into its system before the exhaust is released as purified gas.The idea for the solution comes from seasoned inventor and engineer Bob Sharp…
US Shippers Avoid East Coast Ports on Risk of Second Strike
U.S. shippers are steering clear of East and Gulf Coast ports amid worries the 45,000 dockworkers at those trade hubs will go on strike again if their union leader does not land a new contract with employers by a Jan. 15 deadline.The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) labor union and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group had ended a three-day strike in October with a tentative agreement on wages, but left the thorny issue of port automation still to be resolved."Anything we expect that we need in the back half of January…
US Awards Nearly $3 Billion for Clean Port Projects
U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a $3 billion investment from his Inflation Reduction Act to improve the country's port infrastructure.The investment includes $147 million in awards for the Maryland Port Administration, which owns the Port of Baltimore, the White House said in a statement.The funding will be used to create union jobs and upgrade port infrastructure to cleaner equipment, the statement added.The announcement comes after the three day port strike on the U.S.
CMA CGM and SUEZ Partner on Biomethane
CMA CGM Group and circular waste management company SUEZ have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term industrial partnership on biomethane, a renewable fuel produced through waste recovery, to help decarbonise shipping in Europe.Th agreement aims for:• The supply by SUEZ of up to 100,000 tonnes of biomethane per year by 2030. This biomethane would be used by the CMA CGM Group for its gas-powered ships.• The creation of a joint investment structure with…
Singapore MPA and IRENA Collaborate on Energy Transition
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.
RSC Bio Solutions Launches FUTERRA Compressor Oils
RSC Bio Solutions launched FUTERRA Compressor Oils, synthetic lubricants designed to meet the performance demands of industrial and marine sectors while addressing sustainability needs.FUTERRA Compressor Oil is formulated with a synthetic, sustainable base oil, offering outstanding thermal stability, long service intervals, and inherent biodegradability. This product is tailored to rotary screw, reciprocating, and other high-performance air compressors in applications where reliability…
LPG ‘Pre-fit’ Option for WinGD X-DF-A
WinGD introduced an option for its X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engines to be delivered capable of running on liquified petroleum gas (LPG), a ‘pre-fit’ solution that could be of interest to vessels under construction for the anticipated global trade in ammonia, which will also be capable of transporting LPG.Named X-DF-P for the propane that is LPG’s primary component, the solution will be released to enable first engine deliveries in 2027, when operators are likely to be considering in detail their anticipated balance between the LPG and ammonia trades.
How Propane Can Help Ports Meet Emissions Goals
Ports can’t afford to slow down, and stricter environmental regulations and emissions standards are pushing port authorities to balance operational efficiency with reducing their carbon footprint. By replacing traditional gas and diesel as an energy source, propane can help ports reduce emissions and air pollution without sacrificing power or efficiency. Let’s explore how.Reduced EmissionsPropane is non-toxic and won’t contaminate soil or water. A byproduct of natural gas processing and sometimes crude oil refining…
Shipbuilding RFP: Estonian State Fleet Seeks Bids to Build Electric Ferry
Estonian State Fleet announced a call for tender for the design and construction of a new, battery-powered electric ferry to serve the main islands in Estonia. "I’m proud to see Estonia leading the way in adopting environmentally sustainable technologies in the maritime sector to achieve this," said Estonian Minister of Infrastructure, Vladimir Svet. "The new ferry will be similar in size and capacity to the existing vessels but will be significantly more economical and environmentally sustainable."The new ferry will primarily be powered by green electricity…
Can a Cruise Vessel Really Be Zero Emission? Hurtigruten Says 'Yes'
Hurtigruten released updated plans for its Sea Zero project, a zero-emission ship scheduled to debut in 2030 which is now in its R&D phase. The ship, as designed today, will lean on large batteries, sails, and other solutions to sail emission-free during normal operation, while energy consumption could be reduced by 40-50%.Hurtigruten announced its Sea Zero project in October 2022, and unveiled its first set of renderings in summer 2023. A second version of renderings are now released…
New LNG Bunker Vessel for TotalEnergies LNG Bunkering Ops
TotalEnergies signed a charter contract with Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal for a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunker vessel of 18,600m3 capacity.This additional vessel might be deployed in Oman, where the company is developing the Marsa LNG project with the objective to provide LNG to the shipping sector in the Gulf.The vessel, owned by Ibaizabal, will supply LNG to a wide range of vessels (containerships, tankers, large cruise ships, ferries) at TotalEnergies’ LNG bunkering hubs.This new vessel…
Singapore Bunker Standards for Methanol, Ammonia to Come by 2025
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
PortPic Gathers in Italy to Discuss Hull Cleaning
This week [September 30 to October 2] about 40 companies, stakeholders and NGOs gather in Pontignano, Italy, to discuss and share insights about the developments taking place within hull cleaning and in-port inspections for the shipping industry.PortPic, the sister conference to HullPic which takes place in the spring, is a Jotun and VB Conferences initiative and aims to bring the industry together to discuss challenges and opportunities to ensure a cleaner industry."This is the fifth time that PortPic has been held, and we see the conference as an important meeting place for the industry.
Scotland's Largest Commercial Shore Power System Enters Construction Phase
Construction of Scotland’s largest commercial shore power system has started at Port of Aberdeen as part of a $5 million (£4 million) project designed to supply clean electricity to vessels at seven berths.The ‘Shore Power in Operation’ demonstrator project is one of the first of its kind in the U.K. and was awarded match funding as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition.The shore power system, also known as ‘cold-ironing’, is being installed by PowerCon, the developer of shore power technology.
Regulation to Cut Ship Pollution May Have Increased Global Warming, Study finds
A new study examined the climate effect of the mandated reduction of sulfur in ship exhaust emissions globally since 2020, and it suggests that the shipping regulation has reduced how much light is being reflected back into space, which has likely contributed towards the record warming over the last few years.International shipping, while invisible to most of us, has a large impact on climate and air quality. There are nearly 100,000 large ships within the global commercial fleet, accounting for over 90% of international trade.
Exhaust-sucking Barge to Capture Ship Emissions in the Port of Los Angeles
STAX Engineering announced it has secured a five-year contract to deploy its cutting-edge emissions capture services at Shell’s Mormon Island Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, coinciding with new California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions regulations. STAX’s emission capture and control solution offers an alternative to shore power for emissions reduction for tankers. Available as a land- or barge-based solution, the mobile, flexible exhaust capture system is designed to fit all ships without modification…
China’s Largest Ports Suited to Green Shipping Corridors
A new study from the International Council on Clean Transportation has investigated the feasibility of establishing green shipping corridors for China’s coastal shipping.The researchers assessed whether the ships could be powered by renewable hydrogen, methanol, ammonia or batteries without the need to refuel en route. They concluded that the technological feasibility of applying renewable marine fuels on China’s coastal shipping routes is high, and three routes were identified as potential first mover candidates for green shipping corridors.These routes were two interregional routes…
Propane Cargo Handling Equipment Safety Tips
As the adoption of propane-powered equipment in ports continues to grow, implementing proper safety measures becomes more crucial.Supply chain professionals throughout the country rely on cargo handling equipment (CHE) to keep containers, trailers, and other materials on the move. With rapidly changing conditions in a port, it’s important to keep operators abreast of important safety considerations when working with equipment like forklifts and port tractors.Propane offers a clean…
Vessel Ballast Water Management: Getting the Numbers Right
It was never going to be realistic to expect treated ballast water to have zero viable organisms on discharge.The G8 guidelines that define the type approval process for ballast water treatment systems were initially agreed at the IMO before any systems had actually been developed.The IMO had already been working on the issue of invasive species being transferred around the world in ballast water for a couple of decades. It was on the radar back in the 1970s. At MEPC 31 in 1991…
Ten Start-Ups Jump into Decarbonization Innovation
Dutch maritime start-up accelerator PortXL has presented its 2024 cohort and connected them to partners and mentors.The Matchmaking Monday event took place at the RDM, the Rotterdam space for innovative companies, technology education, high-quality test facilities and field labs.For the partners and PortXL’s team this was the conclusion of months of gathering industry questions and problems, and finding and evaluating start-ups and scale-ups to match these challenges. In the coming months the innovators will go through the program with the goal of collaborating with industry players…
Port San Luis Harbor District Eyes Offshore Wind Prize in California
The Port San Luis Harbor District has entered into a project evaluation agreement with Clean Energy Terminals (CET), a leading developer of offshore wind port facilities across the U.S., to asses the development of the West Coast's first offshore wind operations and maintenance port.The agreement enables the parties to jointly evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of an offshore wind operations and maintenance (O&M) port facility in San Luis Obispo Bay.The facility…
Baltic Sea’s First Green Freight Corridor Opens
The Baltic Sea's irst green freight corridor has been launched, allowing for the transportation of Felix ketchup to Finland with a 90% reduction in emissions. This initiative, a collaboration between Orkla Suomi, Scandic Trans, and Viking Line, features a scheduled freight service powered by biofuel.Since July, Felix ketchup, produced by the Orkla Group in Fågelmara, has been shipped to Finland using biofuels. The process begins at the largest ketchup factory in the Nordic region, where Scandic Trans trucks transport the product to Viking Line’s terminal in Stadsgården, Stockholm.