Navigating the Transition to Alternative Fuels
At ER-Marine, we offer expert consultancy services to analyse, plan, and implement dual-fuel solutions, ensuring your fleet transitions smoothly while staying compliant and efficient.
What Are Alternative Fuels?
Alternative fuels are non-traditional energy sources designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While these fuels offer cleaner options, their sustainability depends on production methods and lifecycle emissions.
Key alternative fuels include:
LNG: Cuts CO2, NOx, and SOx emissions but faces challenges with methane slip. LNG remains the leading alternative fuel, driven by mature bunkering infrastructure and adoption in container and car carriers.
LPG: A cleaner-burning fuel with lower SOx and particulate emissions, offering flexibility and compatibility with dual-fuel engines.
Methanol: A renewable-ready fuel gaining traction, with 166 methanol-fueled vessels ordered in 2024. Green methanol holds long-term potential but faces slow production scale-up.
Ammonia: Emerging as a zero-carbon option with 27 orders for ammonia-fueled vessels in 2024. Challenges include nitrous oxide emissions and the need for green ammonia production.
Hydrogen: Promising for *zero-carbon combustion when produced sustainably but hindered by current production and storage limitations.
Hybrid Solutions: Combines batteries with fuels to optimize performance and reduce emissions.
Explore how alternative fuels align with emissions reduction strategies on our Emissions Reduction page.
*While these alternative fuels represent the future of shipping, dual-fuel engines rely on pilot fuel such as MGO, making true zero-carbon combustion currently unachievable.
Why Choose ER-Marine?
Expert Solutions for Complex Challenges
Tackling Methane & Ammonia Slip: Minimise emissions and ensure compliance with IMO and FuelEU Maritime regulations.
Proven Experience: Over 15 years in LNG, LPG, methanol, ammonia, and hybrid systems.
Tailored Recommendations: Practical, actionable insights for optimised results.
Focused Expertise
Deep knowledge of dual-fuel technologies like two-stroke WinGD X-DF and MAN ME-GI engines.
Experience with emissions control systems such as SCRs (Selective Catalyst Reactors) to reduce NOx in exhaust emissions.
Solutions designed for safety, cost-efficiency, and compliance.
Future-Proofing Your Fleet
Stay ahead in the industry’s sustainable transformation. With ER-Marine, you gain:
Guidance on alternative fuel regulations.
Mitigation strategies for methane and ammonia slip.
Expertise in integrating emerging technologies.
Recent Trends in Alternative Fuels
2024 was a landmark year for alternative-fueled vessels, with 515 orders representing a 38% year-on-year increase. The container and car carrier segments accounted for 62% of these orders, reflecting cargo owners’ and liner companies’ growing commitment to sustainability.
Highlights:
LNG Dominance: LNG-fueled vessels saw 264 orders in 2024, doubling the 130 orders in 2023. By year-end, 641 LNG-powered ships were operational, and this number is set to double by 2030.
Methanol Momentum: Methanol, with 166 orders in 2024, demonstrated rising interest in diversifying fuel options. The container segment led the charge with 85 orders.
Ammonia’s Growth: 27 ammonia-fueled vessel orders signaled early adoption, including the first non-gas carrier vessels, primarily in bulk carriers.
Infrastructure Development: LNG bunkering expanded from 52 to 64 vessels in 2024, with Fit for 55 regulations driving further growth.
*Source: Data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights (AFI) platform, 2024.
