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Commentary: Singapore ports and ships are turning the tide on climate change

The lull in shipping activity, triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, presents an opportunity for the maritime industry to double down on decarbonisation efforts, says Sanjay Kuttan.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s two main ports, PSA Container and Jurong Port, are living labs for green technologies.

Jurong Port boasts of a 9.65 megawatt-peak solar photovoltaic system. Mounted on warehouse rooftops, it is the world’s largest solar installation in a port. Part of the electricity generated is used for port operations, while the rest is supplied to the national power grid.

The port is also testing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven Smart Multi-Energy System, including a direct-current warehouse microgrid system, which will further reduce its carbon footprint.

Jurong Port is also home to the world's first green berths – made of recycled concrete from existing berths and yards.

Furthermore, PSA has started to electrify and automate its cranes and ground vehicles. Once complete, the port operator will have the world’s largest fleet of automated guided vehicles powered by batteries instead of diesel.

READ: Commentary: Singapore’s dreams of becoming a solar-powered nation have almost arrived

READ: Commentary: Reaching net-zero emissions will be ‘very challenging’. But watch Singapore try anyway

The COVID-19 crisis has led to a lull in shipping activity presenting an opportunity for the maritime sector to accelerate decarbonisation efforts and build a greener supply chain.

Globally, the maritime sector accounts for 2 to 3 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Recognising its significant environmental impact, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has ratified greenhouse gas reduction targets: 40 per cent by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2050 from 2008 levels.

CLEANER HARBOUR CRAFTS

Over the past decade, the global maritime sector has been making efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of vessels. New ships must comply with the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index – a set of regulations for the vessel to be designed and built for maximum energy efficiency since 2011.

The IMO also implemented the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Programme that same year, which provides a framework for operating ships and fleets to improve energy efficiency. These programmes develop guidelines to drive down energy consumption to a minimum for each vessel type.

These energy efficiency principles can be also applied to Singapore’s 2,300 licensed harbour crafts that provide goods and services to ships calling at ports.

File photo of Keppel Harbour. File photo of Keppel Harbour from Vivo Waterfront. (Photo: Winnie Goh)

Seven in 10 harbour crafts are motorised, ranging from ferries, tugs, bunkers, and launches. Most, if not all, are burning marine diesel, contributing to our national carbon footprint.

The opportunity to decarbonise these vessels through electrification or the use of sustainable biofuels is significant. The local marine environment will also benefit from reduced air and noise pollution.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has also worked towards the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled tugs, which are now operational and contributing to the sector’s decarbonisation efforts.

LNG is generally accepted as having a lower carbon footprint than marine diesel. There are less than three vessels currently in operation but with better hybrid designs for cost and performance optimisation, more can be expected.

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Biofuels as a drop-in fuel (mixed with normal fuel), can further reduce the carbon footprint. However, working with original equipment manufacturers and vessel operators is key to honouring warranties and preserving operational reliability.

There are many research and development (R&D) opportunities related to harbour crafts: Power system optimisation, new battery or fuel cell technology, 3D printing of lighter and sturdier propellers and so on.  

Domestic yards are headed in this direction. Earlier this year, BH Global, a power system designer and integrator, and Penguin, a ship builder, announced a consortium of partners to build Singapore’s first hybrid-electric fast launch.

In 2018, Norwegian shipping company Norled ordered three hybrid plug-in ropax ferries (which can tap shore-based charging) from Singapore’s shipbuilder Sembcorp Marine.

CLEANER BUNKER FUEL

Singapore, one of the world’s busiest port with 1,000 ships visiting each day, is a key bunkering hub. It delivered about 48 million tonnes of mostly low-grade fuel in 2019 – almost half of global demand.  

WATCH: Oil trading and bunkering sectors face slump in demand, say experts

A dry-bulk ship is seen taking on bunker fuel in the Singapore Straits on Dec 17, 2017. (File photo: Reuters/Roslan Khasawneh)

Looking into the future, Singapore needs to move away from carbon-intensive fuels to further the decarbonisation efforts across the sector. Other than LNG, new fuels on the horizon include biofuels, methanol, liquid ammonia and liquid hydrogen.

There are a number of ongoing alternative fuel pilots and demonstration projects worldwide. These verify the performance of the fuels for the role of the vessels, engine performance and carbon mitigation impact among other criteria.

Dealing with this new portfolio of fuels will require fresh consideration of new factors.

Product sourcing, verification of “green” status, safety standards for storage and handling and so on are not trivial considerations if Singapore is striving to be the global bunkering hub for green fuels, and to avoid the bunkering infrastructure we invest in ending up as stranded assets.

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R&D NECESSARY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

There are many talented researchers in Singapore located in different universities, polytechnics and research institutes. However, the competitive nature of grant awards does not always encourage collaboration across teams towards serving the national interest.

We need better key performance indicators to encourage co-creation and research collaboration across our research institutes to avoid under-optimising limited funds.

We also need entrepreneurial researchers to translate new technologies from other sectors into the maritime sector.

For instance, incorporating carbon capture and utilisation onboard vessels is an interesting proposition as it allows us to continue using the current slate of marine fuels, albeit with major but not insurmountable R&D challenges.

Foreign vessels berth alongside the wharf for repairs at the Singapore Keppel Shipyard. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)

Mechanical failures at sea can be catastrophic, hence the potential of onboard additive manufacturing of parts for replacement could be crucial in preserving life, property and the environment.

All these innovations come together not only to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint but also cost of operations, while increasing productivity and safety.

READ: Commentary: Artificial intelligence and automation would actually benefit Singapore

BOLD LEADERSHIP AND MINDSET CHANGE NEEDED

Decarbonising the maritime industry will require bold leadership and mindset changes.

Singapore is also investing and innovating for a more sustainable future. MPA and its partners have set aside S$40 million under the Maritime GreenFuture Fund for research, test-bedding and adoption of low-carbon technologies.

This will contribute towards creating and enabling the adoption of green alternative fuels, electrification, and circular economy solutions.

READ: Commentary: That low-carbon future for Singapore isn’t so far-fetched

Furthermore, the growing investment interest from venture capitalists, such as Rainmaking and NTU’s EcoLabs Program augurs well for maritime innovators and start-ups to deliver our decarbonisation goals.

As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his 2019 National Day rally, climate change is an existential issue for us all. Decarbonising the shipping sector is key for Singapore to maintain its global maritime leadership and keep Singapore’s economy humming for the prosperity of all.

Dr Sanjay C Kuttan is Executive Director of Singapore Maritime Institute.

Source: CNA/el

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