New technologies for greener shipping
The UN World Maritime Day is an annual celebration of the maritime industry and this year’s theme is “New technologies for greener shipping”, reflecting the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future. Both Norway and Singapore share the ambition of being first class, modern maritime nations, making cooperation between Norwegian and Singaporean companies important. In Singapore you can see a great share of Norwegian maritime companies present, especially within shipping, as Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world.
The Norwegian Embassy in Norway wants to celebrate this year’s World Maritime Day by sharing some of the measures the Norwegian companies in Singapore are doing for the green transition of the maritime sector. We are proud to present the important work the companies are doing to lead the global maritime sector into a more sustainable future.
The Norwegian Contribution
In conjunction with the World Maritime Day, the Embassy asked different Norwegian companies how they utilize technology to help achieving a greener maritime sector:
Stolt-Nielsen has together with BASF developed an innovative tanker that can operate at extreme low-water levels.
“Stolt Tankers is committed to partnering with other leaders to meet the challenges of the green transition through the development of new technologies. Together with BASF, we have developed an innovative tanker that can operate at extreme low-water levels. We are also trialling biofuels and working with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping to assess viable pathways for future fuels. In 2021 we reduced our bunker consumption by improving operational and technical efficiencies and fleet optimisation. Speed and trim were optimised according to weather conditions and enhanced maintenance programmes – including additional hull and propeller cleaning – also reduced fuel use. In addition, several ships were installed with advanced power-saving propeller fins. The bunker savings directly correlate with a reduction in CO2 emissions.”
Read more about their sustainability work here.
Elkem will deliver new ships complying with IMO’s requirements of 50% CO2 emissions reduction already by launch in 2024.
“After having developed an innovative, automated self-loading, “green-fuel-ready”container ship design, our group contracted two vessels in China this summer, including comprehensive Norwegian ship equipment, together with our partners W.Wilhelmsen and MPCC, with the main purpose of substantially contributing toward zero carbon shipping. After delivery in 2024, these ships will be operated by our group company North Sea Container Line AS, serving 22 Norwegian ports and Northern Europe. At that time, these ships will already comply with IMO’s requirement of a 50 % reduction in CO2 emissions, through a combination of new ship design and efficient propulsion systems.
By reducing energy consumption per container per nautical mile, we mitigate the additional cost of a future transition to zero emission fuels, subject to competitive bunkering availability.”
Read more about their sustainability work here.
Glamox can reduce their customers energy consumption from light by 90% using new technology.
“Glamox is committed to ensuring the best in marine and offshore lighting solutions, from the first consultations to installation and beyond. Our solutions are designed to be sustainable, easy to refit, and long-lasting. When upgrading from conventional lighting to LEDs we help our customers and clients achieve substantial energy savings, and if combined with a light management system they can reduce energy consumption from light by up to 90%. We create light for a better life.”
Read more about their sustainability work here.
BW LPG emitted 97% less carbon during construction by retrofitting their Very Large Gas Carriers with LPG dual-fuel propulsion technology.
“BW LPG is a global pioneer in retrofitting our Very Large Gas Carriers with LPG dual-fuel propulsion technology, committing US$130M to retrofit 15 vessels in this initiative to decarbonise operations. With LPG propulsion, we comply with current and future SOX emissions requirements; we reduce other climate-warming emissions such as PM and NOX; we improve output and operational efficiencies; and we also see economic benefits from total improved voyage and fuel economics and increased commercial availability of vessels. By retrofitting our vessels, not only did we maximise the value of our current assets on water, we also emitted 97% less carbon during construction; took 2 months versus 2 years to complete each vessel; and did not add unneeded shipping capacity to the market.
We are now realising the benefits of this ambitious project - in the last quarter, we reduced our carbon emissions by over 15% and realised over US$5.3M in fuel savings.”
Read more about their sustainability work here.
Kongsberg Maritime Pte Ltd is supporting the aim of the Paris Agreement of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“The world is facing a number of challenges within security, climate, transport, energy, food and biodiversity. Technology is central to solving these challenges and KONGSBERG plays a role in reducing emissions by developing and establishing best sustainable practice in maritime energy solutions, advanced sensors, autonomy, circular and materials technology. KONGSBERG is committed to supporting the aim of the Paris Agreement of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By setting clear and ambitious targets for emissions reductions, both in our own operations and in our value chain, we want to be at the forefront of both market and regulatory requirements. We do this because it is the right thing to do, for the environment, our employees, and customers.”
Read more about Kongsberg’s sustainability work in their sustainability report, chapter 3.
ScanReach has launched ConnectFuel which allows owners and operators to access and report real time fuel consumption data, both onboard and onshore.
“The pressure on the maritime industry to decarbonise has never been higher, and meeting the various regional and global requirements for emissions reduction as well as reporting is becoming more important each day. ScanReach recently launched ConnectFuel, a solution which allows owners and operators to access and report real time fuel consumption data, both onboard and onshore. As the saying goes, you can’t manage what you don’t measure, and in your journey towards decarbonisation, ScanReach can help you do just that.”
Read more about their sustainability work here.
StormGeo has helped the shipping industry save over 8 million MT CO2 since 2018.
“At StormGeo, 75% of the work we do is on the ocean. Our passion for the protection of natural resources motivates us to support our clients in making informed, environmentally responsible business decisions. As a proud participant of the UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition, we have helped the shipping industry save over 8 million MT CO2 since 2018.”
Read more about their sustainability work here.
SNIC – Singapore Norway Innovation Conference
SNIC is an annual conference hosted by Team Norway aiming to bring together Singapore and Norway business and thought leaders, decision-makers, government agencies, regulators, and commercial solution providers. The conference will be streamed to make it available in Norway and the rest of the world. This year’s conference will focus on the digitalisation and decarbonisation in the maritime industry.
Norwegian and Singaporean representatives will demonstrate existing solutions as well as prospective developments in alternative fuels and decarbonisation technologies. Team Norway aims to make SNIC the most valuable conference in Singapore on maritime and offshore decarbonisation and digitalisation.
This year’s program is organised into two main segments:
- Innovation Delivered: a demonstration of solutions and technologies that have already been successfully delivered and significantly impacted the industry.
- Innovation Pipeline: a showcase of essential solutions still in development, including developments in alternative fuels and decarbonisation technologies.
SNIC 2022 will also feature the inaugural SNIC Innovation Awards, an award to recognise the best providers and adopters of decarbonisation technology.
The event will take place at Conrad Centennial Singapore 18 November. Sign up for the event here.