Triton 2025 - Magazine - Page 38
PERSPECTIVES
The Move Toward
Alternative Fuels
As the shipping industry moves toward
decarbonisation, there’s growing
interest in low- and zero-carbon fuels.
While fossil fuels remain dominant,
biofuels particularly methanol and fatty
acid methyl esters (FAME) are gaining
traction, and currently account for
around 1% of the marine fuel mix.
The new ISO 8217:2024 fuel standard
marks a signi昀椀cant advancement in
de昀椀ning the quality of both fossil and
alternative marine fuels. It provides
clearer speci昀椀cations and quality
benchmarks to support the use of new
fuel types, such as biofuels, in marine
engines.
Emerging Biofuels: CNSL
and FAME
FAME Blends:
Opportunities and
Precautions
FAME, derived from sources like used
cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME),
is currently the most widely adopted
marine biofuel. It is already extensively
used in land-based transport and so
offers a wealth of performance data.
2023 and 2024 saw a notable increase
in their use in shipping.
Regulation 18.3.2 under MARPOL
Annex VI requires monitoring of NOx
impacts for blends over 30%, pushing
operators to better understand FAME’s
behaviour at high concentrations.
Operational considerations for FAME
include:
•
Water absorption: this can lead to
microbial growth—necessitating
proper storage and a 昀椀rst-in, 昀椀rstout fuel strategy
•
Material compatibility: B100 blends
can degrade rubber and plastic
components
•
High solvency: dissolves existing
fuel system deposits, potentially
clogging 昀椀lters
•
Low oxidative stability: FAME
should be used promptly to prevent
degradation
Cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) has
emerged as a renewable, drop-in fuel
option. Its key components include:
•
Anacardic acid (60–75%): high
acidity, thermally converted to
cardanol
•
Cardanol (5–15%): improved
combustion and lubricity
•
Cardol (15–20%): offers surfactantlike properties
Although CNSL improves energy
content and lubricity, it also
poses risks. Its high acidity and
polymerisation tendencies have led
to corrosion, sludge formation, and
engine wear. Indeed, in 2022, CNSLblended fuels caused several issues in
the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp
(ARA) region, such as:
•
Accelerated wear in fuel pumps
•
Cracks and surface damage in fuel
systems
•
Poor combustion performance and
power loss
Although treatment methods
like thermal decarboxylation and
distillation can reduce acidity and
enhance CNSL stability, further testing
is still required to determine long-term
compatibility with marine engines.
38 / Triton 2025
Despite these challenges, FAME
blends are effective when managed
properly and can be used alongside
conventional fuels without major
disruptions.
Strategic Fuel and
Lubrication Management
As marine fuels evolve, comprehensive
strategies are critical to ensure
reliability and ef昀椀ciency. Key focus
areas include:
•
Fuel quality testing and
certi昀椀cation (ISO 8217:2024)
•
Tailored lubrication practices using
CAT II oils and blend-on-board
systems
•
Active monitoring of engine wear
and fuel compatibility
•
Storage and handling protocols for
cold-flow and microbial risks
With the upcoming FuelEU Maritime
regulations, the demand for sustainable
fuel alternatives will increase. Operators
must remain adaptable, leveraging
innovation and best practices to stay
compliant while maintaining operational
performance.
