Real-time reporting and data analysis are key tools to understanding and improving complex operating environments of today’s companies where the overall effects of any individual action can be very difficult to identify without a proper tool set at hand.
Monitoring of fuel consumption and GHG emissions from international shipping is currently under discussion at the EU level as well as at the IMO. There are several approaches to monitoring, each with different characteristics. Important differences exist with regards to the costs of the equipment, operational costs, the accuracy of the measurements, and the potential to monitor emissions of gases other than CO2. Moreover, some approaches offer more opportunities to improve the operational fuel-efficiency of ships and fit better to possible future policies than others.
The global sulphur cap of 0.5%, which the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will implement between 2020 and 2025 is expected to accelerate the adoption of LNG as fuel for shipping globally, provided that bunkering infrastructure is available. Corresponding developments for LNG bunkering and phasing-in of LNG fuelled ships have already started, although not in Australia.
LNG-fuelled vessels promise a solution to many of the environmental challenges facing shipping over the next 30 years. To meet the needs to cut CO² emissions and maximize efficiency wherever possible, IPP Ingenieur Partner Pool developed STREAM, the new containership design for LNG-powered containerships. The concept, which has been assessed by GL and given a certificate of approval, is for a range of liner or feeder vessels from 3,000 TEU to 4,200 TEU for worldwide service.
More stringent air emission requirements for seagoing vessels are introducing a new challenge for maritime administrations and services. These challenges are all the more daunting in the IMO ECAs. One of the possible solutions to compliance is the use of LNG as propulsion fuel for shipping, next to the use of low sulfur fuels and the installation of exhaust gas scrubbers. According to data from engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce, relative emissions for these various compliance options clearly demonstrate LNG propulsion as the overall environmental winner.
During the opening ceremony of this year’s SIBCON in Singapore, Minister Lui announced the introduction of an information sheet on licensed bunker suppliers and an industry guide for the use of mass flow metering system. Minister Lui said that MPA will publish an information sheet on licensed bunker suppliers in the Port of Singapore in its efforts to allow shipowners to make more informed decisions in appointing bunker suppliers. Minister Lui also shared that MPA has developed an industry guide for the use of mass flow metering system.
Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the 17th Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON) will be held from 16 to 19 October next week at Resorts World Sentosa. Singapore’s Minister for Transport, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, will officiate as Guest-of-Honour at the opening ceremony on 17 October. The biennial event, by far the world’s largest and most influential forum for the marine fuels industry, will see bunkering and shipping professionals converge at the world’s largest bunker market to conduct business and listen to thought leaders.
Recently the west of England P&I released a Loss Prevention Bulletin on the “Cappuccino Effect” due to a recent bunker dispute involving a vessel and a bunker supplier. The vessel, a bulk carrier, arrived in Singapore and began to bunker 900 tonnes of high sulphur fuel oil. The crew was alerted to the fact that something was wrong by the rattling of the float valves situated inside the fuel tank vent head bonnets. It was found that air was escaping from the vents at a greater rate than would normally be expected. In addition, the bunker supply hose lying on deck was seen to be jerking violently.
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Officer of the Watch 