Central challenges

Complex structures, high costs, lack of incentives

Sustainable maritime fuels currently only account for around 0.1% of global consumption. The market ramp-up is being held back by high costs, a lack of long-term purchase agreements and the large difference to fossil fuels. At the same time, there is a considerable need for infrastructure: Ports, bunker systems and tank farms need to be comprehensively adapted. Complex regulatory requirements, double penalties in some cases and insufficient incentives for pioneers make investments even more difficult. Added to this is the large number of stakeholders involved - from shipping companies to port operators and suppliers - with different interests and requirements, which further slows down the implementation of joint solutions.

 

Schiffstau im Hafen
DLR-Study

Future maritime fuels and their possible import concepts

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How the innovation focus works

Focus on analysis, regulation and technology

The innovation focus on shipping examines the role of renewable fuels in the maritime sector in the context of international climate targets - in particular the IMO target of making shipping climate-neutral by 2050. A particular focus is on methanol, which is currently the most technologically and regulatory mature option - ahead of ammonia and hydrogen. The work includes the analysis of international and European regulations (including FuelEU Maritime, EU-ETS, shore power obligation, IMO regulation), the assessment of alternative fuels in terms of maturity and infrastructure compatibility as well as workshops and studies on market entry barriers, investment incentives and infrastructure requirements. The focus is on the impact of regulatory requirements on investment and fuel choice, market dynamics and barriers as well as the compatibility of existing infrastructures. A stakeholder analysis also sheds light on the different interests and levels of influence within the maritime value chain.

The overarching goal is toto create a common understanding of the technical, regulatory and political need for action and to develop practical solutions for the market ramp-up of climate-neutral marine fuels.

The Chair of Reciprocating Engines and Internal Combustion Engines at the University of Rostock and Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH are responsible for the "Shipping" focus area.

NOW factsheet on the EU regulation EUFuel Maritime

European legislation

The new requirements apply to ships with a gross tonnage of more than 5,000 that enter, leave or stay in ports in the territory of an EU member state, and container and passenger ships will also be required to use shore-side electricity from 2030. The use of synthetic fuels from renewable energies will be specifically promoted for shipping. Read the factsheet from NOW GmbH, which coordinates funding programs in the area of climate-friendly mobility and energy for the German government, here.

Good to know:

 

Based on the current state of the art, dual-fuel engines are particularly suitable for the application of SMF. These have high variability in pilot fuel injection and therefore the necessary degrees of freedom for fuel-adapted ignition initiation.

 

In addition, this offers the basic prerequisite for the development of a multi-fuel engine, which would be significantly less dependent on possible supply bottlenecks or quality fluctuations during the transformation process in the maritime sector by using two to three primary fuels.

 

InoFuels offers the opportunity to derive the development and research requirements necessary for the application of SMF in DF engines and to formulate corresponding project approaches.