MAN-ES Decarbonization Options with Potential New Fuels Presented by the SNAME Greek Section

SNAME Greek Section is pleased to invite you to its seventh online-only meeting for the 2020-2021 season where Michael Jeppesen, Promotion Manager, Two-Stroke Business MAN Energy Solutions, will make a presentation on the topic of MAN-ES Decarbonization Options with Potential New Fuels.

The world order is evolving fast, and climate change has today become the most dominant driver of the maritime market. The overall limit for global warming of max. 2.0°C compared to pre-industrial levels was concluded by UN at the Paris Agreement late 2015, and in 2017 in Bonn the ambition for “Global Shippings Action Plan” was increased to max. 1.5°C (United Nations, Climate Change). In 2018 IMO agreed on very ambitious targets for reduction of carbon intensity and overall greenhouse gasses from ships by 2030 and 2050 in relation to 2008 levels. (IMO resolution MEPC.304(72)).

The increasing global focus towards a sustainable future and the emission legislation contribute to an accelerated pace for major stakeholders and governments to acknowledge, that huge investments are necessary in order to achieve the defined environmental targets.

The traditional diesel fuels and the known low flash point gaseous fuels are all fossil fuels, which can be burned in a modern MAN-ES two-stroke diesel engine. LNG is the best low flashpoint fuel with a mere 24 % reduced carbon emission in comparison with diesel fuel, so even in a scenario with all merchant vessels burning LNG, the decarbonization level will still be significantly too high. Therefore, a radical sustainable change is called for, and it will be necessary within a decade to shift to non-carbon based fuel(s), such as green ammonia or other hydrogen based fuels, produced via electrolysis from green electricity and specific syntheses processes.