Author: manager

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First Bunkering and Tests of Ammonia as Marine Fuel Completed in Singapore

In what may be a pivotal moment in the future of alternative marine fuels, the world’s first bunkering of ammonia and tests of adapted engines took place in Singapore aboard an offshore supply vessel retrofitted by Australia’s Fortescue Group. The testing is ongoing helping to develop the information on safety and management that might one day see ammonia become one of the leading marine fuels. The tests were carried out with the Fortescue Green Pioneer, a 3,100 dwt vessel built in 2010 in Indonesia. Fortescue Future Industries acquired the now 14-year-old supply ship MMA Leveque early in 2022 from Australia-based MMA Offshore. It was originally outfitted with four diesel-electric Cummins main engines. Fortescue began in 2022 testing the conversion of a four-stroke engine to run on ammonia in combination with diesel as its pilot fuel. The tests took place at the company’s facility in Perth, Australia, and in July 2023 the conversion work on the vessel began at Seatrium’s Benoi yard. Two of the vessel’s four engines were enabled to use ammonia in the process which included the installation of the gas fuel delivery system, safety systems, and the infrastructure to support the…

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Panama Canal Continues to Restore Capacity While Warning of Water Concerns

The Panama Canal Authority is increasing vessel draft levels as the rainy season boosts water levels, facilitating navigation for larger ships. Draft limits have been raised to 48 feet, aiding containerships and gas carriers. The Authority plans to restore daily transits to 35, with a focus on water conservation and increasing transit efficiency. Despite short-term improvements, long-term water challenges and climate effects remain concerns. Potential solutions include identifying alternative water sources and enhancing storage capacity for sustained operations. The Canal plays a crucial role in global commerce, facilitating transit for thousands of vessels yearly, connecting numerous countries and ports worldwide.

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Union Maritime Adds Wind-Assisted Propulsion to New LR2 Tankers

UK-based Union Maritime has ordered the installation of rigid wing sails for two of its new build LR2 tankers putting the company at the forefront of the development of wind-assisted technology in the larger tanker sector. So far, most of the applications of wind-assisted propulsion have come in the bulker and smaller ship segments but interest in the industry remains high to find near-term technologies that will contribute to decarbonization. The new tankers, under construction at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) yard in China, will each feature three WindWings developed by BAR Technologies and are being billed as the “greenest and most efficient long-ranger tankers,” in the industry. BAR reports that the rigid sails have the potential to save up to 1.5 tonnes of fuel and around 5 tonnes of CO2 per wing per day on typical global routes. The vessels are due for delivery in July and November 2025, according to Union Maritime as part of its shipbuilding program that has a total of six LR2 tankers on order as well as two MRs (49,000 dwt). The LR2 tankers will each be 114,000 dwt with the first two…

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