- Industry Partnerships Key to Decarbonizing Trans-Pacific Shipping Corridor.
- Green and Digital Shipping Corridors Drive Emission Reduction Goals.
- Methanol Emerges as a Leading Marine Fuel for Future Bunkering.
The Port of Long Beach is upgrading its bunkering operations to accommodate lower and net-zero emission marine fuels as part of its commitment to the green and digital shipping corridor initiative with the Port of Los Angeles and Singapore. Heather Tomley, Managing Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs at the Port of Long Beach, said that the port needs to expand its bunkering capabilities to support alternative fuels, reports S&P Global.
Building Partnerships and Decarbonization Opportunities
Following the completion of a comprehensive baseline study analyzing shipping activities and decarbonization prospects along the trans-Pacific corridor, the port has identified potential shipping line partners. Discussions will now focus on the types of bunker fuels required and timelines for their availability to ensure seamless operations.
“Getting through the approval and permitting processes takes time. Establishing these operations with alternative fuels will involve a learning curve,” Tomley said on the sidelines of Singapore Maritime Week.
Green and Digital Shipping Corridors
The agreement on the green and digital shipping corridor between the Ports of Singapore, Los Angeles, and Long Beach was signed in April last year, while additional strategy details were released at the UN Climate Change Conference in December. That is a step from its 2022 partnership with the Shanghai-Los Angeles green shipping corridor to launch a zero-lifecycle greenhouse gas emission ship by 2030.
A Preferred Fuel for the Near Future
As the maritime industry transitions toward a multifuel future, methanol has emerged as a preferred fuel option in the short term. “All the shipping line partners in the [Shanghai-Los Angeles] corridor are placing vessel orders for methanol-powered ships, while also exploring ammonia as a potential option,” Tomley noted.
Challenges with Ammonia as a Marine Fuel
The use of ammonia as a marine fuel presents greater challenges due to its safety risks and toxicity. However, Tomley suggested that safety concerns could be alleviated by sharing bunkering safety standards and providing training within green shipping corridors.
“With ammonia’s lower energy density, more frequent fueling will be required. I think bunkering will become a more integral operation in Long Beach and Los Angeles,” she explained.
Green Corridors as Catalysts for Cleaner Shipping
Tomley highlighted the importance of green shipping corridors in introducing cleaner fuels and technologies. These corridors provide controlled environments to address challenges and test solutions.
“Our hope is that by deploying initial projects and partnering with committed shipping lines, we can start small and then expand the corridor,” she said.
Focus on Singapore and Shanghai Corridors
Currently, the Port of Long Beach is prioritizing the development of its corridors with the Ports of Singapore and Shanghai. According to Tomley, this focused approach is critical as the number of global green corridor initiatives has grown from 21 to 44 in 2023, according to the Global Maritime Forum.
“We need to avoid green corridor fatigue. Many of the same shipping line partners are involved in multiple initiatives, which can spread resources thin,” Tomley concluded.
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Source: S&P Global
