ISSUE 8 // FEBRUARY 2024 BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION THE MODERN SHIPPING WORLD FACES UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES IN DECARBONISATION AND ACHIEVING NET-ZERO EMISSIONS. ALTERNATIVE FUELS - BIOFUELS Decarbonising shipping is not only an environmental imperative but also an emerging area of innovation, reflecting the industry’s shift towards alternative fuels. OUR PARTNER FOR THIS ISSUE Waves Group combines the expertise of Mwaves & Cwaves. They are completely independent Marine & Engineering Consultancy to the shipping and offshore energy industries for marine casualties, claims, disputes, litigation, platform decommissioning, renewable energy and other offshore projects. Waves Group’s philosophy is to deliver exceptional service to their clients at a competitive price. They are self-owned and have no third-party interests, therefore their only interest is in making sure that their clients receive the highest quality service. Waves Group provides technical support and advice with a 24/7 response service available for marine casualties, salvage, wreck removal projects and port damage claims Worldwide. They will always make cost savings where possible and minimise project risks. LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) IS CURRENTLY TAKING THE LEAD AS A TRANSITIONAL FUEL; HOWEVER, SEVERAL ZERO-EMISSION FUELS SUCH AS METHANOL AND HYDROGEN ARE ALSO ON THE RISE. It is uncertain which fuel will be the preferred choice of the future, and it is likely that a variety of alternative fuels will be required to meet future demand. Shipowners must conduct due diligence as part of their decision-making process, involving a comprehensive identification and risk assessment. This assessment requires consulting various stakeholders, including the engine maker, fuel supplier, classification society, H&M insurers and the ship’s flag state. KEY CONSIDERATIONS 1. SUITABILITY AND IMPACT ON THE ON BOARD ENGINES Consult the engine maker to determine if the selected alternative fuel is suitable for on board engineers or if retrofitting is required. 2. FUEL MANAGEMENT Properly train the crew to handle alternative fuels, considering the operational hazards they may pose compared to fossil fuels. 3. HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE) While the alternative fuels may have their obvious environmental benefits, they may come with some increased safety risks. Therefore, any alternative fuel should be accompanied by a thorough assessment of its HSE risks, and this should form the basis of the on board safety measures for handling the fuel. 4. QUALITY With the current lack of international standardisation, clear and detailed bunker specification needs to be developed by the shipowner to ensure suitable fuel is delivered. Britannia’s loss prevention department has teamed up with Waves Group to provide practical advice on the widely discussed alternative fuels: Biofuels, Liquefied Natural Gas, Methanol, Ammonia, and Hydrogen. The examination for each of these alternative fuel types will focus on good practices in storage, handling, bunkering, safety and emergency response. In this guidance, we will focus on biofuels, specifically Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) and Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Biofuels offer benefits such as compatibility with many engines, requiring little modification, and the wide availability of certain types of biodiesels at competitive prices. However, the extent to which they reduce CO2 emissions is a subject of debate, given the variability in emissions along the su