DNV GL predicts wider use of alternative fuels

   The use of alternative fuels beyond LNG will be adopted by more than 20 percent of shippers, according to a report released by DNV GL.
   “While LNG is expected to be an early success, the picture becomes more diversified with time, as more than 20 percent of shipping could adopt hybrid propulsion solutions, featuring batteries or other energy storage technologies,” the classification society writes.
   Desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the need to meet upcoming air pollution requirements are driving use of alternative fuel, the group said.
   “The global merchant fleet currently consumes around 330 million tons of fuel annually, 80-85 percent of which is residual fuel with high sulfur content,” said Christos Chryssakis, a DNV GL senior researcher and position paper project manager. “Shipping must change, and we must contribute technical measures, operational measures and alternative fuels to meet the challenges we are tackling.
   In the long term, DNV GL said short sea shipping is expected to take advantage of locally produced fuels such as biogas, biodiesel, methanol, shoreside electricity and hydrogen.
   But it notes that “deep sea shipping needs globally available fuels and so will tend towards LNG and biodiesel, if it becomes available. Nuclear energy suffers from public perception problems but may come to the fore sometimes in the future if it will be perceived as a safe alternative.”