DNV GL Announces 5 Pilot Maritime Projects To Showcase Bunker Alternatives

DNV GL says that five pilot projects, intended to help green Norway's coastal fleet, have been selected.

DNV GL Wednesday announced that they, along with 25 Norwegian maritime industry partners, have selected the five pilot projects that will be pursued as part of Norway's Green Coastal Shipping Programme.

"When we launched the Green Coastal Shipping Programme, we said we wanted to make Norway a world showcase for green coastal shipping. With these five pioneering pilot projects we are well on our way," states Narve Mjøs, Programme Director for the initiative.

The pilot projects are said to include several different types of ships and infrastructure, and will place an "emphasis on alternative fuel concepts."

The first of five pilot projects will include a project to develop a "CargoFerry Plug-in Hybrid," which will be able to run on both liquid natural gas (LNG) and battery power, and is said to be intended to present a cost-effective, yet zero-emissions, short-sea container ship.

"After developing the technical concept, the project partners will calculate the vessel's environmental footprint and carry out a cost/benefit analysis. The shipping company Nor Lines will take the lead on this project," said DNV GL.

Teekay Tankers Ltd. is said to be leading the second pilot project, set to explore technical solutions for using batteries and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in a shuttle tanker.

"Battery technology has not been used on this vessel type yet and the project will explore how it could potentially help to optimize operations and reduce the need for installed power," said DNV GL, noting that the project partners are also intending to examine possible use of batteries as a "spinning reserve."

The third pilot project will see the ABB and the Cargo Freighters' Association endeavour to define an optimised hybrid propulsion system, allowing for "more energy efficient operations with greater redundancy."

The fourth project, led by Øytank Bunkerservice AS Avd Lager and the Norwegian Gas Association, is said to be focused on developing a cost-efficient and zero-emissions LNG distribution concept, while the fifth pilot project is intended to develop a low-energy-consumption port with "minimal carbon footprint."

"The green port will also be equipped with smart gates, offer cold ironing services and charging stations for plug-in hybrid ships," explained DNV GL, noting that Risavika Harbour in Stavanger will take the lead on the fifth pilot project.

In January, Norwegian shipping players and government officials signed up to DNV GL's Green Coastal Shipping initiative, declaring their intention to make Norway's coastal fleet the greenest in the world.