Second Gas Fuelled Ships Conference in Rotterdam is imminent

The waterfront venue, overlooking the Erasmus Bridge, is an appropriate setting for discussions about future, cleaner-fuelled ships. City centre harbour areas, like Rotterdam, have a particular need for low-emission shipping; and ships which need to run generating set engines in port are coming under particular pressure to reduce harmful emissions. LNG fuel provides, of course, a logical answer to this dilemma. Even if the main engines run on ‘normal’ fuels, duel-fuel powered auxiliaries, which can easily switch to gas fuel when the location demands, drastically cut NOx, SOx and particulate emissions as well as benefiting the environment through lower greenhouse gas emissions.

But it is not only auxiliary power that concerns the more responsible and forward-looking shipowners. The problems posed by ECAs and the ever-rising cost of fuel oil is making gas as a propulsion fuel for a variety of ships look like a realistic alternative. When we started putting together our first conference, LNG fuel was regarded as a specialist niche market, suited only – apart from gas carriers which used boil-off gas from their cargo - to certain offshore support vessels, and coastal ferries in areas where the necessary infrastructure could be provided. As the event took shape, it seemed that some visionaries in the industry were casting their nets wider. Contrast that with the present climate, in which this second event is being held, with concept designs already launched for large ocean-going tankers and bulk carriers fuelled by LNG.

The big questions remain, mostly concerning the infrastructure. It is not surprising that this forms the core of several presentations at this packed two-day event.

Safety is another area where the class societies, in particular, have a lot to say, based on actual experience of LNG as fuel (as in DNV’s case) as well as ensuring that whatever rules are formulated are technically feasible and do not stifle future developments (as with GL and BV). Other regulatory bodies, like the US Coast Guard, have an input to make. The practical technical challenges will be looked at by companies like TecnoVeritas, Lemag and IMES.

Some practical applications for LNG-fuelled ships will be examined by DSME, Dutch Offshore Innovators and IHI Marine, while large gas-fuelled engine technology comes under the MAN Diesel & Turbo spotlight, and Marine Service looks at the real, overall, cost of LNG fuel to the shipowner. The economics are further examined by presentations from Gasnor and the University of Trieste.

LNG fuel will not, by itself, solve shipping’s emissions-related problems. Indeed, it can introduce problems of its own, and the Couple Systems, Wärtsilä and University College, London, presentations will examine these practicalities. And neither does development stop with the present generation of dual-fuel ships. B9 Energy looks at the next generation of gas-fuelled ships, while Rolls-Royce looks at how future developments will influence fuelling and infrastructure.

Should there be investment in dedicated refuelling terminals, or is bunkering of LNG from specialist bunker vessels a practicality? Questions about bunkering, refuelling and LNG infrastructure, as well as onboard storage of LNG fuel, will be examined in presentations from LNG Brokers, TGE,Hart Fenton and Lloyd’s Register.

The conference will close with an extended Q&A session – there will, of course be opportunities for questions to speakers after each session, as well as the networking during coffee and lunch breaks and at the drinks reception at the end of the first day.

Wilhelmsen, as a forward-looking shipowner, operator and manager as well as a supplier, is well placed to comment on all aspects of the use of LNG as fuel, and the company’s technical vice-president, Per Brinchmann, will give the keynote address.

Mercator Media is grateful for the assistance of various organisations which have sponsored the event, notably gold sponsor Wärtsilä, silver sponsors Rolls-Royce and DNV, as well as Hart Fenton, Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, IMES and Germanischer Lloyd. Supporting organisations include SEAaT, the German Shipowners’ Association (VDE) and the Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers’ Association (SSA). Booking forms are available with the event programme, enclosed with this issue of The Motorship, and online at http://www.motorship.com/gfsconference.