Sailing to a Sustainable Future with VPS
Nick Clague is at the helm of alternative fuel trials at leading testing firm, VPS. Determined to navigate the maritime industry towards sustainable practices, VPS is doing more than tweaking design features or reducing sulfur content in fuels. The company aims at holistic measures including efficient operational practices, like slow steaming, and enhancing traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels.
The most notable emphasis rests on investigating alternative fuels to significantly slash emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, thus setting the course towards green shipping.
The Interim Step: LNG and Methane Slip
While some operators favor Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a transitional fuel and install dual-fuel engines, LNG’s fossil fuel status and methane slip problem are undeniable. Given that methane’s potential impact on global warming is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide, industry peers are turning to methanol, ammonia, and bio-fuels as environmentally friendlier options, particularly as methane emissions become part of the EU ETS in 2026.
Unearthing the Potential of Alternative Fuels
Each of these fuels offers intriguing possibilities, as well as their own challenges. VPS is bravely spearheading tests on the latest alternative fuels, such as FAME, HVO, and CNSL, corroborating their performance and efficiency.
FAME, for instance, offers a significant advantage as it can seamlessly replace traditional fuels by up to 100%. However, it is prone to bacterial growth, leading to sludge accumulation, increased acidity, and potentially, blocked filters and corrosion.
Similarly, each potential fuel’s viability is being scrutinized under careful testing. Despite their higher prices, these alternatives’ emission-reduction attributes inevitably hold significant appeal for ship owners and operators, especially with the EU ETS’s upcoming expansion in 2024.
Innovative Fuel Examples: Methanol & More
In recent times, VPS was involved in the first bunkering of methanol in Singapore, a fuel with lower energy density but the potential to cut NOx emissions by up to 80%. Other intriguing possibilities include cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), tire pyrolysis oil, and some eye-catching research around ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel or even nuclear energy.
Navigating the Future of Shipping with VPS
The shipping industry has adopted numerous measures to pare down emissions, primarily rooted in fossil fuel use. The next wave of change hinges on alternative fuels with substantially reduced or zero carbon footprints. VPS is pioneering in this domain, leading comprehensive tests on these non-traditional fuels while aiding ship owners and operators to enhance efficiency and monitor emissions comprehensively.
With the EU ETS’s impending expansion and the industry-wide urgency to cut emissions, VPS stands at the forefront of analyzing these promising substitutes, leading the maritime industry onto a sustainable course. Whether it’s ensuring these fuels are fit for purpose or aiding customers’ emissions reduction goals, VPS is successfully steering the industry towards a greener future.
