Tag: Thetius

  • Thetius Perception Study Unpicks Complexity Of Maritime Pathway To Net-Zero

    Thetius Perception Study Unpicks Complexity Of Maritime Pathway To Net-Zero


    Thetius, the marine technology research consultancy, has launched its Maritime Alternative Fuels Barometer, measuring the gaps between the shipping industry’s perception of alternative marine fuels and the reality in terms of availability, supply, technological readiness and impact on emissions. The barometer is the result of a perception study designed to critically examine the future fuels landscape and better understand the future fuels debate. It is based on an analysis of market announcements, data on alternative fuels from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform, and 25 interviews with a range of maritime stakeholders.

    The barometer provides a comprehensive outlook to the industry when making informed decisions for a sustainable future. It reveals a consensus on a multifuel future in shipping. Yet the transition will only happen once infrastructure is built, safety issues resolved, regulatory uncertainty reduced, and fuel availability worries lessened. And it forecasts a phased approach to decarbonisation with initial adoption in niche markets before broader industry-wide uptake.

    Nick Chubb, Founder and Strategy Director, Thetius

    Thetius’ analysis reveals:

    • A multi-fuel future is inevitable, requiring a diverse and phased fuel strategy emphasising transition fuels like LNG and methanol in the short to medium term.
    • Despite perceptions, most methanol today is fossil-fuel-derived ‘grey methanol’ with high emissions – green methanol scalability is a key challenge.
    • While batteries and shore power can support decarbonisation, deep-sea shipping electrification remains unrealistic.
    • Future fuels like hydrogen and ammonia hold promise but face massive hurdles around infrastructure, storage, bunkering and skills.
    • Operational and technical optimisations will be crucial alongside alternative fuels.

    The study makes three main recommendations to the shipping industry. First, develop a diverse fuel strategy with an emphasis on transition fuels; second, invest heavily in infrastructure and safety for future fuels; and finally, embrace technological and operational optimisations.

    Nick Chubb, Founder and Strategy Director of Thetius said, “The marine fuel landscape is rapidly changing as new technology comes to market. Decision makers need support to understand the market. Even existing alternative fuels require careful planning and a long-term view to be sure you can meet the technical, safety, and environmental standards required of the industry. We are delighted to be able to bring this insight to the market and provide further assistance to teams making important and influential decisions about how to fuel their fleets for the future.”

    Commenting on the analysis, Steve Esau, Chief Operating Officer at SEA-LNG said, “While there is no silver bullet for 2030, it is pleasing to see a significant role for LNG in the short to medium term. This study highlights once again the need for immediate action if the shipping industry is to reach net-zero by 2050 – waiting is not an option. It is also clear that by 2050 deep-sea shipping will rely on multiple fuels, including LNG, as it transitions from a fossil fuel through bio to e-LNG. The lessons learnt from the introduction of LNG as a marine fuel will benefit all alternative fuels.”

    Steve Esau, Chief Operating Officer, SEA-LNG

    As well as assessing fuel options, the barometer outlines some key considerations for operators as they progress down the pathway to decarbonisation. Training and education of seafarers and other workers in the value chain is vital for dealing with future fuels that can pose greater hazards than fuel oils have done. Even after correct training, concerns about safety may persist but the industry can look to its past adoption of fuels such as LNG to help it plan how to manage the risks of fuels like ammonia, methanol and hydrogen. Meanwhile, as the sector continues through its energy transition, the clear message from experts in the industry is that our low-carbon future has to involve technological and operational optimisations such as hull and propeller optimisation to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions.

    The Alternative Fuels Perception Barometer sets out to provide this kind of insight to decision-makers and help them navigate the changing landscape of alternative fuels in the maritime industry.
    Source: Thetius



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  • New Research Report by Thetius and Bureau Veritas reveals pathways for digital collaboration in maritime

    New Research Report by Thetius and Bureau Veritas reveals pathways for digital collaboration in maritime


    Study showcases how frontrunners are making digital collaboration work in practice.

    Paris La Défense, France – 9 October 2023 – A new report commissioned by Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, calls for greater data sharing in the maritime sector, and outlines the benefits of a fresh approach to digital collaboration that will support shipping’s energy transition.

    Written by maritime innovation consultancy Thetius, the report, titled Common Interest, benchmarks shipping’s progress on using digital solutions to collaborate on decarbonisation goals and shows how industry frontrunners are breaking down the technical, legal, financial and cultural barriers.

    The research was conducted by Thetius, based on interviews with a series of maritime leaders and case studies from across the maritime sector’s digital landscape today.  

    The challenge can be thought of as a network optimisation problem, with many stakeholders in the chain,” says Matthew Kenney, Principal Research Consultant at Thetius and lead author of the report. As the report describes, caution is understandable when it comes to sharing data, particularly with competitors. Collaboration is an awkward concept in a competitive market, and the challenges include legal, financial and practical issues such as a lack of data standards, data silos and human error.

    The report also identifies key areas where digital collaboration has the potential to open new opportunities for growth and optimisation:

    • Collaboration between different software providers and ship operators can provide more detailed ship performance analytics for fleet owners and managers.
    • Digital synchronisation of the shipping ecosystem can help address “sail fast then wait” practices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from voyages.
    • Data sharing is critical to ensure seamless port visits and help deliver “just in time” arrivals, supporting decarbonisation and voyage efficiency.
    • Large-scale data sharing can improve modelling of ship performance, with data pooled from multiple ships dramatically increasing the accuracy of modelling algorithms and digital twins.

    The report also identifies four main categories of challenge as the primary obstacles that hinder more effective data sharing in the maritime sector: competition laws; data siloes; costs; and cultural and behavioural resistance.  Through the lessons and insights shared in the report, it is hoped that maritime organisations can identify the most effective tools to overcome each of these obstacles. In turn, Bureau Veritas believes that this can lead to a fresh approach to digital collaboration.



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  • Thetius Study Highlights Clear Emissions Reduction Advantages of e1 Marine’s Methanol to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

    Thetius Study Highlights Clear Emissions Reduction Advantages of e1 Marine’s Methanol to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology


    An independent study conducted by maritime research house Thetius has revealed that methanol to hydrogen generator technology, developed by renewable energy technology pioneer e1 Marine, can significantly reduce EPA-regulated emissions by up to 99% when using grey methanol when compared with conventional diesel engines for inland waterway vessels. The technology can also reduce GHG emissions by up to 85% when using green methanol as feedstock in the same application.

    The international maritime industry is under pressure to meet 2030 and 2050 International Maritime Organization (IMO) emissions goals, as well as local and global emissions rules, including those set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union (EU).

    e1 Marine’s methanol to hydrogen generator technology makes it possible to convert methanol to fuel-cell grade hydrogen onboard a vessel. This provides a power source for hydrogen fuel cells and electric batteries, which can be used for primary propulsion.

    In the report, ‘Towards Zero’, Thetius’ analysis used 50,000 hours of operating data from eight inland diesel pushboats (workboats) in the USA to develop a cumulative load profile for comparison, which was underpinned by science developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The results of the modeling showed significant potential emissions (EPA and GHG) reduction versus conventional diesel engines for vessel operators who deploy methanol to hydrogen fuel cell power solutions. The conclusions indicated were:

    • ‘Near Zero’ harmful emissions – achieving a 99% reduction of EPA-regulated emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) based on using readily available grey methanol.
    • Meaningful improvement on GHG emissions – up to 27% fewer GHG emissions when operating on readily available grey methanol.
    • Towards Zero GHG – an 85% GHG emissions reduction is possible when using 100% green methanol, which is starting to become available in marine quantities. Substantial GHG emissions can still be made by using a blend of grey and green methanol.

    Robert Schluter, Co-Founder and Managing Director of e1 Marine

    e1 Marine’s solution provides clear advantages of future-proofing inland waterways, ports, and short sea vessels against current and anticipated increasingly robust GHG and local pollutant regulation. It also enables ocean-going vessel operators an option to utilize the onboard methanol to hydrogen generator technology while in port amid more stringent port emissions rules.

    Robert Schluter, Managing Director, e1 Marine, commented: “As the shipping industry faces a plethora of regulations that will continue to ratchet up in terms of levels of compliance, it is vital to take a holistic approach to plan for next-gen propulsion. For smaller vessel’s main propulsion and ocean-going vessels auxiliary engines, the Thetius findings – based on a large amount of operating data, enabling a reasonable degree of accuracy – underline the capacity of e1 Marine’s methanol to hydrogen generator technology to almost eradicate local pollutant concerns and offer a clear pathway to 2030 and 2050 GHG emission compliance.

    “Renewable alternatives, such as hydrogen, are gaining traction. However, pure hydrogen faces challenges in transportation and storage, hindering its implementation for direct fuel usage. e1 Marine’s technology fosters sustainable and eco-friendly marine operations that negate these challenges.”

    Nick Chubb, CEO, Thetius, added: “Our model suggests that the e1 Marine’s methanol to hydrogen generators potentially produce 10-27% fewer GHG emissions than conventional diesel ICEs operating on grey methanol. Moreover, a blend of green and grey methanol can achieve substantial reductions, with 85% GHG emissions reduction possible when using green methanol. Therefore, the initial results are promising and show the clear advantages methanol to hydrogen generator technology can bring.”

    From 1 January 2030, a ship (being any containership and any passenger ship (over 5,000 GT) not otherwise exempted under the legislation) moored at berth for two hours or longer in an EU port shall be required to connect to an on-shore power supply (OPS) (or alternative, approved zero-emission technology).

    In the United States, port emissions are managed by local authorities, with policies that vary from state to state. For example, in 2021, California’s State Office of Administrative Law tightened emissions regulations defined by the Control Measure for Ocean-Going Vessels at Berth, which includes limits on GHGs and adds shore power mandates.
    Source: e1 Marine



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