Biofuels and ammonia offer alternatives to fossil fuels for Europe’s shipping fleet, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) says.

Reports published by EMSA say biofuels could replace conventional fossil fuels without substantial engine modification.

Maritime transport produces 13.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions from transport in the EU, according to the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report, issued by EMSA and the European Environment Agency,

 In 2020, ships of more than 5,000 GT calling at EU and EEA ports emitted 126 million tonnes of CO2, according to an EMSA database.

The first report finds that many of the existing maritime regulations can be transferred from fossil fuels to biofuels, and the safety risks are “broadly similar”.

 However, the research notes that “the future availability of sustainable biofuels may be in question, given the size of any potential demand from the maritime sector”.

Ammonia could transition to a marine fuel and offer a zero or “near zero” carbon solution, the second report says.

“Despite the maritime sector’s extensive experience in handling ammonia as cargo, there is currently little accumulated industry knowledge in its use as a fuel, indicating a need for further understanding of the potential safety-related risks and other challenges it poses,” EMSA says.

“In addition, the study has identified a number of barriers to the widespread deployment of ammonia, including access to renewable electricity for its green production, and technology and regulatory gaps which could prevent its immediate application,”it says.

 EMSA executive director  Maja Markovčić Kostelac said the reports are “just a first step in our research into the potential of different alternative fuels and power solutions, and form part of the support we provide at this critical moment in the maritime sector’s voyage towards decarbonisation”.

“Throughout our work, we keep the safety aspect of alternative fuels firmly in our focus, as the transition to true maritime sustainability can never be complete without the safety dimension,” Kostelac said.

The reports were published at a high-level workshop on alternative fuels and power solutions for shipping and ports at EMSA’s headquarters in Lisbon and online this week.

Read the Update on the Potential of Biofuels for Shipping report  

Read the Potential of ammonia as fuel in shipping report

#NEWS UPDATE - British boat users are risking big fines if they sail their craft outside UK waters due to new laws on the use of red diesel, the Daily Telegraph reports.

New laws coming into force on 1 April "will require anyone moving into international waters to sign a declaration that their boat is not being powered by red diesel".

Red-dyed diesel is used by farmers and commercial fishermen throughout the UK at a lower rate of duty. It is also widely used by recreational boaters and yacht owners, as is green diesel by Irish pleasure boaters, though such users have been required to pay the full rate of tax for a number of years now.

However, the European Union is now clamping down on the use of dyed diesel.

The decision by Brussels is causing consternation among the yachting community, which argues that unmarked or 'white' diesel is not widely available in harbours and marinas.

And concerns remain over the presence of biofuels in white diesel which, as previously reported on Afloat.ie, can be harmful to marine engines.

The Daily Telegraph has more on the story HERE.

Three of Britain's largest marina operators have moved to quash fears that biofuels will enter the diesel supply, Yachting & Boat World reports.

MDL Marinas, Premier Marinas and Yacht Havens Group have all confirmed they are taking steps to ensure the fuel that reaches their customers is free of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), a biofuel that is harmful to marine engines.

Premier Marinas have said it will be setting low-sulphur diesel containing up to 2% biofuel until the summer, but is adding Soltron enzyme fuel treatment to all batches and does not anticipate any 'diesel bug' problems.

The news comes after the recent advice from the Cruising Association warning against diesel containing biofuels, following the change in EU regulations for low-sulphur dieself for leisure vessels.

Yachting & Boat World has more on the story HERE.