An ABS-led consortium, including CE Delft and Arcsilea, published two of up to six reports studying alternative fuels and decarbonization technologies for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

ABS offered a 360-degree view of biofuels and ammonia, the first two fuels to be published by the consortium. Each fuel was analyzed using various criteria such as greenhouse gas (GHG) impact, sustainability, fuel availability, fuel scalability and human needs.

“These two reports are the result of one year of intense activity with our collaborators, EMSA and industry leaders to gather data and conduct three hazard identifications (HAZIDS) for each study. Our analysis is very unique and, in my opinion, what is needed to empower and inform future studies, conversations and decisions,” said Georgios Plevrakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability.

“Biofuels are one of the main available renewable fuels at the moment and the shipping sector needs to move to e-fuels to decarbonize. These two reports provide the most recent information on the availability, sustainability and cost implications of using these fuels,” said Jasper Faber, Director Shipping at CE Delft.

“The ro-ro passenger ship HAZID was a particularly notable example of industry collaboration, where a variety of ropax and cruise operators volunteered valuable time to contribute to the HAZID together, and this will help build much needed technical competence and confidence in alternative fuels,” said Edwin Pang, Founder and Principal Consultant of Arcsilea.

The four-year project began in 2021 with the objective of studying key aspects of the decarbonization of shipping, including alternatives such as biofuels, ammonia, hydrogen, wind-assisted propulsion, and complementary measures such as air lubrication and other promising technologies. The initiative is part of EMSA’s mission to provide technical assistance to the European Commission and Member States in the promotion of sustainable shipping and support the shift to low- and zero-carbon operations.

Ship refuelling operations were temporarily halted at South Korea’s Busan and Ulsan ports on Tuesday after typhoon Hinnamnor hit the country’s southern region, trade sources said.

The halt in operations also paused spot premiums for low-sulphur bunker fuel offered at these ports this week at about $60 per tonne over Singapore fuel oil quotes, bunker fuel traders at South Korean companies said.

Operations are likely to resume gradually later in the week, though fresh slots for bunkering are likely to start only from next week onwards, the traders said.

A spokesperson at the Busan Port Authority said that the port had suspended operations until 1800 KST (0900 GMT) on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and expected operations to normalise afterwards. There was some minor damage to facilities due to the typhoon, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson at the Ulsan Port Authority said the port was expected to resume normal ship entry and departure operations by Wednesday. The port did not suffer any major damage, the spokesperson said.

The typhoon, travelling north at about 52 kilometres per hour (32 mph), left the Korean peninsula about 7:10 a.m. local time off the southeastern city of Ulsan after landing on the coastal city of Geoje, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Typhoon Hinnamnor has forced flight cancellations, the suspension of some business operations and the closure of schools in South Korea. It is now on a course that will take it northeast toward Japan.