Shipping Leaders Collaborate In Landmark Methane Abatement Technology Trial

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Credit: zerocarbonshipping

Major maritime industry players have come together in a collaborative effort to implement Daphne Technology’s groundbreaking SlipPureTM methane abatement solution onto the Angelicoussis Group’s LNG carrier Maran Gas Chios.

Reducing Methane Slips

With Daphne Technology SA as the technology provider, the project involves the integration of their innovative SlipPure system onto a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, signifying a significant pilot initiative. Key players within the maritime industry, including Lloyd’s Register (LR) as the independent auditor, Maran Gas Maritime Inc. as the ship operator, Wärtsilä as the engine provider, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (Shell) in the role of charterer of the vessel and project coordinator, and DNV providing the relevant class approvals for the retrofit, have embarked on this joint endeavor to reduce methane emissions. Daphne Technology’s SlipPure solution, which was last year awarded approval in principle from LR and DNV, is an after-treatment system that reduces methane emissions of LNG-fuelled engines, so-called methane slip. Methane slip results in increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ground-level ozone. 

Methane slip has been significantly reduced in modern engines thanks to continuous development of combustion technologies, but remains a challenge in LNG-powered vessels using older engine technologies. Daphne’s SlipPure™ technology allows for the further abatement of methane in exhaust gas to negligible1  levels and is complementary to Wärtsilä technologies and developments.

Commencement Of Trials

Daphne Technology’s PureMetrics™ solution will also be installed onboard the Maran Gas Chios throughout the trial period, and LR will handle the dissemination of the data as an independent third-party verifier. PureMetrics™ is an advanced system that directly measures and reports real-time GHG emissions, eliminating the reliance on fuel consumption estimates and ensuring compliance with European Union Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (EU MRV) and International Maritime Organisation Data Collection System (IMO DCS ) regulations. PureMetrics™ was awarded approval in principle from LR in June 2023 at Nor-Shipping. Panos Mitrou, Global Gas Segment Director, Lloyd’s Register, said: “LR is pleased to work alongside industry leaders on this joint development project as the maritime industry raises critical challenges in addressing methane emissions from shipping. LR’s AiP has enabled this technology to proceed to a milestone pilot application, and the learnings from this trial will support gas industry partners in de-risking their gas assets.”

Grant Gassner, Director, Integrated Systems & Solutions, Power Supply – Wärtsilä, says: “Investing in methane slip reduction technologies forms a very important part of our wider strategy, ensuring we can continually improve the environmental and economic performance of our customers. Cross-collaboration with stakeholders across the maritime industry is key to this, with projects such as this playing a pivotal role in developing potential solutions towards eliminating methane slip across the maritime industry. Wärtsilä is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this initiative, and we look forward to the outcome of the project.” Steve Brown, Technology Manager at Shell, emphasises: “Reducing methane emissions is a top priority for the maritime industry, and this trial of innovative technology on an operational ship marks an important milestone. LNG is the lowest-carbon marine fuel available at scale today, and this project, combined with efforts to reduce upstream methane emissions, will help to enhance LNG’s decarbonisation potential even further.”

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Source: Dapghnetechnology