GREEK SECTION: REPORT ON THE MARCH 21st , 2013 TECHNICAL MEETING
Topic: “Alternative Fuels and Energy Systems for Future Ships’’
Report by Apostolos Papanikolaou
On March 21st, 2013 the Greek Section had its 6th technical meeting for the 2012-
2013 season. In the presence of a great audience of 45 members and 22 non-
members Dr. Christos Chryssakis, Senior Researcher, Research and Innovation
at Det Norske Veritas A.S. (DNV), Norway presented the above topic.
As Dr. Chryssakis pointed out a series of factors will lead to the introduction of
new fuels for maritime applications in the future, namely upcoming environmental
regulations for shipping, increased fuel prices, concerns regarding the security
of fuel supply, and concerns regarding the impact of shipping emissions on
climate, health and the environment. The advent of new regulations in the next
decade may lead to significantly increased fuel prices for distillate fuels, due to
competition with other uses, such as road transportation, while refinery capacity
for producing distillates can turn out to be insufficient for meeting the vastly
increasing demand. In this case the use of alternative fuels can be a promising
solution. An overview of alternative fuels relevant for maritime transport was
presented, including a Lifecycle Assessment (Well-To-Propeller analysis) with
respect to Greenhouse Gases. In addition to considering alternative fuel sources,
it is important to explore ways for better utilization of the fuel or ways to eliminate
the need for on-board fuels altogether. This can be achieved by the introduction
of energy storage units in a hybrid energy system approach or as a standalone
energy provider (for instance for small ferries). The operational profile of a ship
is essential when selecting the energy system, energy storage technology and
control routines. The benefits and potential of ship hybridization was illustrated,
for a number of different ship types.
The author presented the following major items in detail:
•Alternative Fuels for Shipping
•Hybrid Systems for Ships
•Pathways to 2050 for Low Carbon Shipping
Discussion points were implications on ship design for alternative fuels energy
systems and issues of uncertainty in future fuel cost estimates when conducting
today techno-economic analyses on the viability of future ships for alternative
fuels energy systems.
The meeting was concluded with the traditional reception of the local section in
an adjacent hall in the Maran Tankers Management building.
( from left to right ):C. Kontovas: Exec. Com. Member & Papers Com. Chair;A. Papanikolaou, Chair; C. Chryssakis, Author;P. Lalangas, Secretary / Treasurer.
the presentation can be found here
DNV-Chryssakis-SNAME-March-2013.pdf