Exploring maritime fuel alternatives
Joost Mathôt, director of Damen Shipyards Group's workboats division, has released a statement where he discusses the complexities of selecting future marine fuels amid evolving global regulations that demand carbon footprint reductions from maritime operations.
The search for effective alternatives is hindered by the immaturity of current technologies and the absence of a one-size-fits-all solution.
Mathôt highlights the varied criteria that influence fuel choice, like energy density leading to methanol preference, whereas toxicity concerns might favour batteries. The debate extends to the origin of fuels—grey, blue, or green methanol—and the localised versus global impact of emissions.
Damen explores multiple options, including vessel electrification, where feasible, and hybrid solutions like dual fuel systems, demonstrating a proactive approach to the impending energy transition in maritime operations. (pb)