Breakthroughs In Maritime Fuels And Engines In 2023

• The article features some of the most visited stories of 2023.
• Green and blue ammonia stand out for maritime decarbonization. The Port of Singapore prepares to refuel ships with diverse options, including LNG, biofuels, ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen.
• Governments advocate for ambitious emissions reduction goals as IMO upgrades regulations for shipping greenhouse gas emissions. Shipowners focus on CII compliance, while hydrogen gains momentum as a maritime fuel in various projects.

In the realm of maritime propulsion, readers of Marine Propulsion & Auxiliary Machinery have closely followed the advancements in fuels and engine technologies. The most-read stories of 2023 and 2022 featured the development of innovative engine technologies like fuel cells and emerging fuels, with a notable interest in ammonia and methanol.

Ammonia’s Rise as a Clean Marine Fuel

Ammonia, particularly blue and green variants, emerges as a crucial alternative for the shipping industry’s decarbonization goals by 2050. The challenge lies in scaling up production and reducing costs, with green and blue ammonia leading the charge. The global ammonia market, traditionally fueled by agrochemicals, is predicted to undergo a transformation in response to the shipping industry’s growing demand over the next 10-20 years.

Port of Singapore Prepares for a Diverse Fuel Future

As the largest refueling hub in shipping, the Port of Singapore is gearing up for a multi-fuel future expected by 2030. To accommodate shipowners considering LNG, biofuels, ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen as decarbonization options, the port is intensifying efforts to provide these fuels alongside traditional marine fuels.

IMO’s Emissions Reduction Goals and Regulatory Upgrades

As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prepares to revise its greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy, governments and NGOs urge ambitious emissions reduction goals for 2030. The IMO’s progress on regulatory upgrades to lower or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions is under scrutiny, with high stakes based on the language directed toward the group’s efforts by governments and environmental groups.

Enhancing CII Compliance Ratings for Shipowners

Shipowners are advised to adapt operations and improve vessel efficiency to meet the rigorous requirements of the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings. Expert panels discuss strategies for improving compliance ratings in line with IMO standards.

Hydrogen’s Gradual Progress as a Marine Fuel

Hydrogen is slowly gaining traction in the maritime industry as an alternative fuel, with projects aimed at delivering hydrogen from production to the port for use in vessels. The DNV-led MarHySafe project, a consortium exploring hydrogen as a marine fuel or a facilitator for synthetic fuels, signifies the industry’s growing interest.

These key developments underscore the maritime industry’s ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability in propulsion and auxiliary machinery.

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