Emerging New Fuels

The maritime industry is exploring a wide range of new, eco-friendly fuels to reduce its impact on the environment and meet global targets for cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.

Along with well-known alternatives like bio-methanol and bio-based natural gas, there’s a push towards other innovative fuels. These include ‘blue’ fuels made from natural gas with carbon capture technology, biofuels from renewable sources like plants and waste, and electrofuels created using renewable electricity and elements like carbon or nitrogen. [1]

These innovative fuels are crucial for the industry’s goal to eliminate emissions. Some, like biogas, are already being used, while others, such as hydrogen and ammonia, are in the testing phase or being showcased in pilot projects. For example, the world’s first ferry powered by liquid hydrogen has already been launched, marking a significant step forward. Ongoing research and development of other new technologies, such as onboard carbon capture and storage, alongside the continual improvement of scrubber technology, plays a significant role in the industry’s decarbonisation journey. These changes are all part of a wider move to ensure that all types of fuels used in shipping are evaluated for their entire lifecycle emissions, from production to use, as per the guidelines being developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This broadening of the fuel options highlights the industry’s proactive approach to finding various ways to achieve a sustainable, emission-free future, emphasising the need for ongoing innovation and collaboration to tackle the challenges of decarbonising maritime transport. [2] [3]

The World Bank has identified ammonia and hydrogen as especially promising zero-carbon bunker fuels, emphasising their potential role in the sector’s decarbonisation efforts. Ammonia, which can be produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy, followed by synthesis with nitrogen from the air, offers a sustainable pathway for maritime fuel. Hydrogen, recognised for its high energy density and zero-carbon emission profile during combustion, presents another viable option. [4]

However, integrating these new fuels into the maritime industry comes with its set of challenges. Issues such as how to produce, store, and handle these new fuels safely need to be addressed. Ammonia and hydrogen, for instance, have different properties compared to traditional fuels, requiring new storage solutions, bunkering facilities, and engine adaptations. Safety is another major concern, given ammonia’s toxicity and hydrogen’s flammability, necessitating updates to current safety standards and protocols. [5]

Digitalisation’s Role

Digitalisation is revolutionising the maritime industry, bringing in a wave of advanced technologies to boost efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. This shift is marked by a range of innovations designed to streamline operations at sea.

At the heart of the maritime industry’s push towards sustainability are advancements in energy efficiency and the adoption of new, cleaner fuels. Innovations in these areas are leading the charge in reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. While state-of-the-art navigation systems, data analytics, and sophisticated algorithms play a role in enhancing operational efficiency by optimising routes, it’s the breakthroughs in energy-saving technologies and alternative fuels that are the true game-changers in decarbonisation efforts.

These developments enable vessels to not only navigate more safely and efficiently but also significantly cut down on fuel consumption, making a direct impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In cargo tracking and fleet management, IoT devices and sensors have made it much easier to watch over cargo in real-time, making the supply chain more transparent and reliable. This level of visibility is especially important for companies like IKEA that are committed to decarbonising their supply chains. IKEA has set clear goals to become carbon neutral, with a target to be transporting “all of their goods on zero emissions trucks and vessels” by 2040. [6] To reach this goal, they are actively selecting suppliers and shippers that are also cutting down on their carbon emissions by using less energy and cleaner fuels. This approach is pushing the entire maritime industry to adopt greener practices and shows how large companies can lead the way in making supply chains better for the planet.

Fleet management software plays a vital role in improving the environmental impact of shipping. From a procurement and maintenance standpoint, digitalisation and the use of smarter tools enable companies to organise inventory and work schedules better to reduce the number of flights needed to get people or parts where they are needed. Improved planning also contributes to lowering operational costs and enhancing the performance of vessels.

Digital tools are also crucial as the industry moves towards greener fuel options. They enable the precise monitoring of fuel usage, help in improving fuel efficiency, and ensure that new fuels work well with existing ship systems. Techniques like data analytics and machine learning provide deep insights into how different fuels perform, helping ship operators make choices that are both environmentally friendly and in line with regulations. [7]

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