LNG bunkering simulator a proactive move
Published on: Saturday, August 03, 2019
By: Leonard Alaza
KOTA KINABALU: The global release of the world’s first Wärtsilä Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering simulator was held here Thursday, a proactive move by the private sector in anticipation of new international regulations to make the shipping industry green.
To be operated by Sabah grown maritime consultancy and port engineering service provider, Kasi Group, the simulator is expected to contribute to the industry’s movement toward becoming more sustainable and safe to the environment.
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Having the simulator on home soil fits well with the country image as the world’s third largest LNG exporter, and LNG is declared to have a much better emissions performance than conventional fuels and solutions.
“The world is trying to become greener with ship emissions and there are international regulations that have been formulated that all ships have to comply by. It’s very difficult with regular heavy oil or diesel oil to do that. So, ships are starting to be equipped with engines that burn LNG and it really reduces the emission into the atmosphere.
“Malaysia is one of the largest exporters of LNG. So it’s (simulator) very relevant. You have a beautiful country and nobody wants to see it polluted,” said Timothy Park, Wärtsilä’s Simulation & Training Solutions expert during the world premiere demonstration of the simulator at Kasi’s Centre for Maritime Simulation and Innovation.
“Five years ago there were only two ships powered by LNG and now I believe there are 138 ships powered by LNG. So, a typical LNG tanker will burn its cargo in the engines. But now crew ships, ferries, offshore work boats are being equipped with the systems of what we call the Wärtsilä LNG pack system to actually store LNG on board, not as cargo but as fuel, and that fuel is processed and sent to the engines and it really reduces the emissions. It’s a brand new field but its exploding right now,” he added.
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Wärtsilä is Finnish company and is one of the world’s leading maritime equipment suppliers. It can supply everything from the top of the ship down to the bottom.
Ship pollution rules under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which is an agency of the United Nations formed to promote maritime safety, are contained in the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol).
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Marpol sets limits on NOx and SOx emissions from ship exhausts, and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances from ships of 400 gross tonnage and above engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of states that have ratified the Convention.
The regulations stems from concerns about “local and global air pollution and environmental problems” in regard to the shipping industry’s contribution.
LNG is said to have a much better emissions performance than conventional fuels and solutions. Compared to existing heavy marine fuel oils, LNG can, depending on the technology used, emit 90 per cent fewer NOx emissions.
It is also said that LNG’s greenhouse gas (GHG) performance represents a major step forward when compared with traditional marine fuels.
Meanwhile, Kasi Group Executive Director Benjamin Nair said to embrace the new type of marine fuel is a big challenge.
“One ways to overcome that is training and that’s the reason why we procured this LNG bunkering simulator as a step that will allow everybody to open up their mind,” he said in his address during the event.
He noted that the movement to switch from traditional heavy fuels started in view of issues on climate change around the world.
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