The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation Completes Third Pilot Project for Alternative Fuels
The Singapore-based Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has successfully completed the third pilot project in a series of five aimed at developing alternative fuels for the maritime industry. The pilot programs, which are independently verified and involve in-service ships, aim to support the development of drop-in fuels that can be used with greenhouse gas abatement programs. The GCMD reported an 83 percent reduction in carbon emissions through these pilot projects.
Pilot Project Details
The latest pilot project was conducted in collaboration with Eastern Pacific Shipping and their mid-sized gas carrier, the Kaupang (29,649 dwt). The pilot tested the use of a biofuel blend as a pilot fuel for the ship’s LPG propulsion system. Instead of using marine gas oil (MGO) as the pilot fuel, 200 MT of a B30 biofuel blend of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and MGO was used.
The bunkering took place during the vessel’s port call in the Port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands and was supplied by GoodFuels. The HVO used in this trial is produced from 100 percent waste and residues, resulting in an 83 percent reduction in well-to-wake emissions compared to using fossil MGO. The blending of MGO with 30 percent biofuel as the pilot fuel for LPG combustion demonstrated a 20 percent net reduction in emissions compared to using VLSFO.
Dr. Sanjay Kuttan, Chief Technology Officer of GCMD, stated that the experiences from this trial will contribute to the development of an emissions abatement assurance framework for green fuels. He also highlighted that using a biofuel blend with LPG can be a feasible pathway for ships to meet the International Maritime Organization’s indicative decarbonization checkpoint for 2030.
Quality Assurance and Guidelines
The GCMD emphasizes the importance of creating quality and quality assurances to encourage the industry’s adoption of biofuels. Starting from October 1, the Interim Guidance on the Use of Biofuels will come into effect from the IMO’s MEPC. These guidelines provide clarity on the types of biofuels that can be certified as sustainable, with a minimum requirement of 65 percent emissions reduction against conventional fuel for compliance.
Tracing Techniques and Assurance Framework
This pilot project is the third conducted by GCMD, with previous projects successfully tracing two supply chains of FAME-based biofuel blends using synthetic DNA. In this latest pilot, different tracing techniques were employed to ensure the authenticity and quantity of sustainable biofuels in the supply chain.
GCMD collaborated with GoodFuels, Control Union, and IDS to deploy an element-based tracer in HVO, ensuring its origination and quantity in the biofuel blend. The tracer was dosed in-line with HVO and blended with MGO onboard the bunker vessel. Carbon dating was conducted to independently determine the biogenic carbon content of the fuel.
VPS witnessed the trial at all stages, from biofuel transfer and onboard blending to bunkering aboard the Kaupang. Extensive laboratory tests were conducted on the biofuel and biofuel blend collected at various points along the supply chain to assess quality.
Future Plans
GCMD has two remaining biofuels assurance framework pilots. The organization plans to share the experience and details of the assurance framework through a public report in early 2024. The GCMD was established in August 2021 with funding from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and six founding partners, including BHP, BW, DNV Foundation, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Ocean Network Express, and Sembcorp Marine. Other industry players, such as NYK, MOL, MSC, and Hapag-Lloyd, have also joined to support the center’s efforts.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses the pilot project for alternative fuels in the maritime industry, specifically focusing on reducing carbon emissions. This aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. It also relates to SDG 9, which promotes the development of resilient infrastructure and the facilitation of sustainable industrialization. Additionally, the reduction in carbon emissions supports SDG 13’s goal of taking urgent action to combat climate change. The mention of using biofuel blends and reducing emissions also connects to SDG 14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Lastly, the collaboration between different organizations and the sharing of knowledge and findings align with SDG 17’s emphasis on partnerships for achieving sustainable development.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
- SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development.
The article’s content suggests progress towards these targets by exploring the use of biofuel blends as an alternative to traditional marine gas oil (MGO) for propulsion systems in ships. This contributes to increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2). The pilot project also focuses on developing sustainable infrastructure and industries by testing and verifying the use of alternative fuels (SDG 9.4). The integration of biofuels and reduction in carbon emissions align with the goal of combating climate change (SDG 13.2). The reduction in well-to-wake emissions and the emphasis on sustainable biofuels contribute to preventing marine pollution (SDG 14.1). Lastly, the collaboration between organizations and the sharing of findings support the enhancement of global partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17.16).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage reduction in carbon emissions
- Percentage increase in the share of renewable energy in the maritime industry
- Number of successful pilot projects for alternative fuels
- Amount of biofuel blend used in pilot tests
- Reduction in well-to-wake emissions compared to fossil MGO
The article mentions an 83 percent reduction in carbon emissions achieved through the pilot project, indicating a measurable indicator of progress towards reducing emissions. The use of biofuel blends and the focus on renewable energy sources imply progress in increasing the share of renewable energy in the maritime industry. The completion of multiple pilot projects and the testing of different biofuel blends suggest progress in developing sustainable alternatives. The specific amount of biofuel blend used in the pilot tests can be measured to assess the scale of implementation. Lastly, the reduction in well-to-wake emissions compared to fossil MGO serves as an indicator of the environmental impact of using biofuel blends.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (7.2) | Percentage increase in the share of renewable energy in the maritime industry |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable (9.4) | Number of successful pilot projects for alternative fuels |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (13.2) | Percentage reduction in carbon emissions |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds (14.1) | Reduction in well-to-wake emissions compared to fossil MGO |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development (17.16) | Amount of biofuel blend used in pilot tests |
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Source: maritime-executive.com
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