Marine Fuels and Emissions

This publication is a detailed introduction to marine fuels and emissions. It covers:

• fuel standards and fuel types (eg fossil fuels, reduced sulphur fuels and alternative fuels, such as LNG, biofuels, hydrogen, electricity, wind and solar power)
• emissions and pollutants (including greenhouse gases, NOx and Sox)
• engine and abatement technology
• safety measures
• regions of emission control
• emissions regulations and compliance.

It also includes data sheets covering the selection of abatement technology systems for SOx and NOx and for engines with LNG capability.

It is obvious to anyone with even a passing interest in the shipping industry that it is now well and truly in the "environmental crosshairs". Its environmental performance is being scrutinised and legislated for as never before. Shipping’s environmental performance with respect to emissions to air is perhaps the issue receiving the most regulatory and public attention.

Sulphur dioxide (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have all been the subject of international (IMO) and, in some parts of the world, local regulation. Carbon dioxide has received attention indirectly in the regulations concerning vessel fuel efficiency. It is doubtful whether anyone would bet against exhaust gas black carbon and particulates being the subject of some form of regulation in the near future.

The common thread joining all these issues is ship’s fuel, both in terms of quality and quantity. Changing either, or both, of these factors has a marked effect on the emissions to air from a ship.

It is at this point that life for the ship manager or operator becomes difficult. Not only do the regulations need to be complied with, but they need to be complied with in such a way that the vessel remains competitive. In shipping, as in other things in life, there is more than one way to "skin a cat". The path to compliance, with an eye to the future, is a maze rather than a freeway and very careful consideration must be given to each and every vessel. Even sister vessels have differing trading patterns and therefore each solution will be more or less bespoke.

With the rise of the emission to air scrutiny and legislation, there has naturally been a corresponding rise in the number of organisations coming forwards with technological and operational solutions to the maze. All very well, but which one to pick?

In Marine Fuels & Emissions, the authors have provided essential and comprehensive information about the myriad of factors that must be considered before often expensive decisions concerning compliance and beyond are made. The book may be justifiably considered as a timely and welcome guide out of the emissions maze.

John Aitken

(former Secretary General of SEAaT)

Foreword

Acknowledgements

List of Figures

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: Marine Fuels

Chapter Three: Natural Gas as a Fuel

Chapter Four: Non-Fossil Marine Fuels and Power Sources

Chapter Five: Efficient Energy Management

Chapter Six: Emissions and Pollutants

Chapter Seven: Regions of Emission Control

Chapter Eight: Emissions Regulations and Compliance

Chapter Nine: Abatement Technologies and Engines

Chapter Ten: Data Sheets for a Selection of Abatement Technology Systems

WPGL

Witherbys titles are developed using scripts developed by technical experts that are peer reviewed within work groups. Typically, they seek to improve understanding of the regulations, recommendations and guidelines issued by Industry.

Witherbys staff have significant expertise in the fields of navigation and hazardous cargoes as well as in the presentation of complex subjects in a graphic and easy to understand manner.