A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has thrown a spanner into the plan to transition ships from diesel fuel to ammonia. While ammonia offers the alluring prospect of slashing greenhouse gas emissions, MIT researchers warn that without stricter regulations, the switch could come at a cost to human health. The problem lies in the unwanted guests that appear when ammonia burns. Unlike diesel, burning ammonia creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with a staying power 300 times greater than carbon dioxide, as quoted in the MIT ...

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have shortlisted two consortia that will proceed to the next round of evaluations of proposals to provide a low- or zero-carbon ammonia solution on Jurong Island for power generation and bunkering. The two consortia were selected from a total of six that were earlier shortlisted in 2023 to participate in a restricted Request for Proposal (RFP), following an Expression of Interest (EOI) called in 2022. The bids were assessed based on the technical, safety and commercial ...

ABS has released guidance focused on ammonia bunkering, the first such advisory for the industry. The ABS Ammonia Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory considers the aspects of bunkering ammonia as a fuel, providing the maritime industry with a better understanding of the challenges involved and how best to address them. Due to its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential, ammonia is widely considered a leading alternative fuel candidate. However, given its toxicity, safe bunkering capabilities, whether by truck, ship or land storage terminal, will be critical to enabling its adoption by ...

On July 8, NYK Bulkship (Atlantic) N.V. (Head Office: Antwerp, Belgium; “NBAtlantic”), an NYK Group company, installed two wind-assisted ship-propulsion units on the bulk carrier NBA Magritte at the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which is engaged in a long-term charter contract with Cargill (USA). This is the first time a unit of this type has been installed on an NYK Group vessel. Sitting on a 20-foot-long (approximately 6-meter) flat rack container with no walls, VentoFoil has a 16-meter vertical wing that acts as suction sail* which expects about 5 ...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply a hybrid-electric propulsion system for an 11,000 dwt Limestone Carrier. The vessel was contracted by Montreal-based CSL Group (“CSL”) with CCCC Shanghai Equipment Engineering and Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q1 2024. The order reflects CSL’s focus on reducing its emissions profile via a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy. Wärtsilä has been closely involved in developing the concept for the hybrid-electric propulsion system selected to optimise the engine and battery loading for the ship’s operating conditions. The system will provide redundancy when ...

In a collaboration with four master’s students from the Antwerp Management School (AMS), the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) released a study that investigates issues with the CII formula. As part of their thesis project, the research conducted by the students included a comprehensive literature review, a qualitative analysis, and a quantitative analysis using data from Belgian-controlled ships. Key Findings from the Study Both literature review and qualitative analysis identified three variables with the most adverse impact on CII ratings: Waiting Time: Time spent idling or waiting in ports or ...

As of the first half of this year, the shipbuilding industry has seen a significant shift in the types of container ships being ordered, with a marked preference for LNG dual-fuel container ships over methanol dual-fuel container ships. According to Clarkson Research, a shipbuilding and marine market analysis firm on July 21, 40 LNG dual-fuel container ships were ordered, double the 20 methanol dual-fuel container ships ordered in the same period. This is a reversal from last year when 35 LNG container ships were ordered compared to 65 methanol container ...

Corvus Energy is pleased to announce that it has received Type Approval from RINA for its large-scale marine energy storage system, the Blue Whale ESS. RINA Type Approval confirms that the Blue Whale ESS complies with RINA Rules for the Certification of Lithium Battery Systems. This approval, along with recently awarded type approval from DNV, demonstrate that the large-scale energy storage system complies with the most stringent rules, regulations, and safety requirements in the industry, as defined by leading maritime class societies. Designed for large vessels and large energy demands ...

The IMO’s enforcement of EEXI and CII regulations from January 1, 2023 marks a significant step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime industry. As the regulations become stricter and the major impact expected post-2024, shipowners must proactively monitor and enhance their fleet’s emission profiles to ensure the commercial viability of their vessels. A gradual shift towards alternative-fuel capable dry bulk vessels is gaining momentum, with an 11% share in the current orderbook, and deliveries expected to peak in 2026-2027. The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and carbon ...

In a collaboration with four master’s students from the Antwerp Management School (AMS), the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) released a study that investigates issues with the CII formula. As part of their thesis project, the research conducted by the students included a comprehensive literature review, a qualitative analysis, and a quantitative analysis using data from Belgian-controlled ships. Key Findings from the Study Both literature review and qualitative analysis identified three variables with the most adverse impact on CII ratings: Waiting Time: Time spent idling or waiting in ports or ...

ABB has been awarded a contract by Washington State Ferries (WSF) to serve as the propulsion single source vendor (PSSV) for its groundbreaking new hybrid electric 160-auto ferries. This project marks a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable maritime transportation in the US and beyond, with ABB playing a pivotal role in the development and delivery of the five new build vessels. In its role as PSSV, ABB will supply comprehensive hybrid electric propulsion systems that include the Onboard DC Grid™ power distribution solution, energy storage, advanced energy management, ...

Hot off the heels of the phased introduction of the EU Emission Trading Scheme for shipping, the industry is bracing itself for the impending impact of FuelEU Maritime. This new regulation, set to be enforced from January 1, 2025, mandates significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity. While the initial target of a 2% cut might seem modest, the potential financial consequences for non-compliance are far from negligible. According to OceanScore, a Hamburg-based maritime technology firm, the container, ro-pax, bulk carrier, and tanker segments are particularly vulnerable to the financial ...

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced its intent to invest in Carnot Ltd. (President: Francis Lempp, based in the U.K., Note 1), a startup company that develops technology for highly efficient engines using heat-resistant materials. This project has been led by MOL(Europe Africa)LTD. Steel and aluminum engines require constant cooling to prevent them from overheating, which reduces performance and increases the risk of engine failure. Therefore, about 30% of an engine’s combustion energy is consumed for cooling. Carnot is developing engine technology that eliminates ...

ABS and the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) are working together to advance commercial small modular reactor (SMR)-powered ships and floating SMR power generation platforms. ABS will provide analysis of applicable regulatory guidelines and international standards for the design of SMR-powered ships. KRISO will develop core technologies for SMR-powered ships, including conceptual designs for the vessel and propulsion systems as well as the development of a framework for integrated ship, nuclear power safety analysis. In addition, KRISO will design a floating SMR power generation platform, a ...

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has successfully completed its final supply chain trial for biofuel blended with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). This marks the end of a series of trials initiated in July 2022 as part of a larger pilot to develop a framework to provide quality, quantity and GHG abatement assurances for drop-in fuels. In this final trial, bp provided the B30 biofuel blend to the TIHAMA, a 19,870 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container vessel operated by Hapag-Lloyd. The biofuel component used is certified to ...