Page 189 - CW E-Magazine (7-11-2023)

Special Report Special Report

Exploring green ship fuels in the maritime industry
Brown hydrogen Grey hydrogen Blue hydrogen Green hydrogen
for a greener earth

he last ten years have seen big system has been developed over the emissions. The IMO’s 2020 marine Hydrogen produced Hydrogen produced Hydrogen produced Hydrogen produced
changes in marine fuels, even years, whereby ship operators could fuel regulation was a pivotal step in as a product of using fossil fuels using fossil fuels but using electrolysis
Tmore than the previous seventy reliably fi nd bunkers meeting international driving this decision. They mandated industrial processes CO is captured powered by renewable
years. Post-World War II, ships started standards anywhere globally. This also capping SO emissions from ships at 2 electricity or nuclear
x
using heavy oil in advanced engines, allowed cargo ships to effi ciently carry 0.5% (down from the previous 3.5%).
which was available everywhere and loads with minimal bunkers during long Despite this signifi cant technical and
made ships sail faster and more effi - international voyages, thus optimising commercial change, the supply chain
ciently. This change shifted ships from commercial considerations. Any alter- for bunkers remains the same. The intro- Higher carbon Lower carbon Zero carbon
using steam engines to heavy fuel oil nate fuel aspiring to replace heavy oil duction of a very low sulphur fuel oil
and diesel engines, which most ships will thus require worldwide availability (VLSFO) provided an alternative form
use now. to enable acceptance. of heavy oil, utilising existing bunker- Emergence of LNG various industries and in various geogra- to emerge as a bunkering hub for LNG.
ing infrastructure. This made it easier The use of LNG as bunker fuel has phies. However, challenges concerning With its strategic positioning along inter-
New targets Changing scenario for ships to change to new fuels without gained prominence, particularly among hydrogen storage and supply, along with national trade routes and a steady supply
Global warming has become a Currently, over 98% of the world’s any big problems. Ship operators either LNG ships/carriers, and has witnessed varying methods and sources, categorize of LNG, India could potentially establish
major concern for our planet. Govern- cargo fl eet relies on heavy oil. Nonethe- installed scrubbers in engines, or opted increased adoption among other ship hydrogen as green, blue, grey, or brown. itself as a LNG bunkering hub for ships.
ments and environmentalists are insist- less, signs of a changing scenario are for low-sulphur fuels, posing technical types in the past decade. Notably, LNG’s Achieving access to green hydrogen Existing LNG import terminals and up-
ing industries to reduce greenhouse imminent, with approximately 21% of and commercial challenges, but main- availability along major trade routes and remains the ultimate goal, though this tran- coming Floating Storage and Regasifi ca-
gas (GHG) emissions. Many countries ships currently on order are being built taining existing fuel supply. the increase of bunkering facilities and sition is anticipated to take several years. tion Units (FSRU) facilities could be
work together in the United Nations to with options to burn alternative fuels. vessels contribute to its popularity. developed into such hubs in the country.
set rules, with the most recent meeting These ships incorporate modern en- However, the landscape is evolving Ammonia and methanol A successful LNG bunkering operation was
called COP 27 held in November 2022. gines designed to use new fuel types, with the emergence of various new alter- A snapshot of LNG’s status as a Similarly, there are multiple projects conducted at the port of Cochin in 2017,
These meetings set targets and means or have dual engines capable of burn- native fuels. Setting the supply infra- bunker fuel reveals: exploring ammonia and methanol as demonstrating its technical feasibility.
to achieve environmental goals. The ing multiple fuel types. This signifi es structure for these new fuels, however,  426 operational non-LNG carrier future ship fuels. While both have multiple
Maritime Environment and Protection a quantum shift as more shipowners poses a substantial task for the mari- ships using LNG as fuel; advantages, commercial viability and Initiatives at JM Baxi
Committee of the International Mari- recognise the benefi ts of cleaner energy time sector. Until recently, commercial  536 ships under construction plan- availability to the global merchant fl eet As the largest Agency house in India,
time Organisation (IMO), works on sources. It is expected that within the ships primarily relied on two types of ning to use LNG as fuel; will require substantial time. At present, the JM Baxi group is gearing up to pro-
setting up guidelines for the maritime next fi ve years, orders for ships using bunkers: heavy oil/very low sulphur  114 ports worldwide providing no commercial ships operate using vide bunkering solutions to the ships of
industry. At its 80th session held in alternate fuels will surpass those opting oil and LNG. However, ongoing LNG bunkers; and hydrogen, ammonia or methanol. None- the future. The group is involved in the
July 2023, the committee adopted a for traditional fuels only. efforts have explored new alternatives,  34 LNG bunkering vessels avail- theless, experimental voyages and stud- transition to cleaner fuel alternatives by
landmark resolution called MEPC80 offering ships the choice between able globally. ies have shown that these alternate fuels ships and would be part of the develop-
to reduce GHG emissions from ships. The race to fi nd cleaner fuel started conventional fuel, Liquefi ed Natural can replace heavy oil in the future. The ment of infrastructure whenever bunker-
They set new targets: a while ago when ships planned around Gas (LNG), hydrogen, ammonia, meth- Hydrogen enthusiastic engagement of the global ing requirements for cleaner fuels would
 20% reduction in emissions by reducing their sulphur dioxide (SO ) anol, or even electricity. While LNG stands out as a cleaner maritime industry in these studies fuels emerge in India. JM Baxi has been suc-
2
2030; alternative to heavy oil, it remains a fossil rapid progress, indicating the shifting cessfully handling LNG ships in India
 70% reduction in emissions by MARINE FUEL OPTIONS fuel. While debates regarding the search tides in the world of ship bunkers. How- for many years. It was part of the fi rst
2040; and Upto 2020 Post 2020 for alternative fuel with zero carbon ever laying out the entire supply chain LNG imports to the country at the Port
 Net Zero emissions by 2050. emissions rather than settling for lower for these fuels for a global industry like of Dahej and continues to handle such
emissions still carry on, research conti- shipping implies at least a couple of ships regularly at Dahej and few other
Conventional
These targets compare the amount Fuel Methane nues into new alternatives, leading to decades. Until then, VLSFO and LNG ports in India. As part of its other decar-
of emissions made by ships in 2008. the emergence of options such as hydro- will remain the preferred bunker fuels. bonisation exercise, JM Baxi continues
gen, ammonia and methanol. Hydrogen to explore options for setting up clean
Colossal challenge Hydrogen Ammonia emerges as the best alternative due to its India – a bunkering hub for LNG? fuel bunkering facilities in India. When-
Achieving these objectives presents emission-free nature, with only water as India has a very active maritime trade ever successful, this would be another of
a colossal challenge for the maritime Conventional Methane a by-product. In India, the government with its 200 plus ports witnessing over JM Baxi’s contributions to a cleaner and
sector, with heavy oil historically gain- Fuel Methanol Electricity has come up with a policy document 40,000 ship calls annually. Although not greener planet.
ing favour due to its abundant supply and is encouraging companies to set up yet a top-tier bunkering hub, India’s geo-
and cost-effi cient nature. An entire eco- Nitrogen Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen establishments for supply of hydrogen to graphic location provides an opportunity [Source: JM Baxi Newsletter, Jul-Sep 2023]

188 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023 189

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