AN INTRODUCTION TO ALternative fuels
Tuesday 25 March 2025: Full-day course
A one-day intensive course which looks at the potential benefits of using alternative fuels in the marine industry – and the reality of where the industry is now, and what practical steps will have to be taken to deliver the energy transition. The pros and cons of all the key alternative fuels will be weighed up, with a detailed focus on production, transportation, storage and delivery.
This is a ground-breaking course on the future of bunkering, so it will have plenty to offer both industry veterans and newcomers.
Delegate Pass: £245
The price of this event includes lunch, refreshments and course materials.
LECTURER
NIGEL DRAFFIN
Technical Consultant, Lecturer and Author
Nigel Draffin has been involved in shipping for over 50 years and in bunkering for over 25 years. He joined Shell Tankers in 1966, serving on all classes of vessel, including VLCCs and LNG tankers. In 1979, he joined the newbuilding department of Shell International Marine and later transferred to Shell’s R&D unit, specialising in control systems, fuel combustion and safety systems.
In 1986, Nigel moved to the commercial department as a bunker buyer and economics analyst, two years later becoming Head of Operational Economics, responsible for all of the fuel purchased for the Shell fleet. In 1996, he joined E. A. Gibson Shipbrokers which, in 2006, merged with US-based broking house LQM Petroleum Services, where he was Senior Broker and Technical Manager. He retired from LQM in July 2015.
Nigel is a founder member of IBIA, serving several times on its council of management, the board and as its Chairman. Nigel has written 10 books on bunkering, shipping and marine lubes published by Petrospot, and is Director of the Petrospot Academy. Nigel is a member of IMarEST and Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers.
Course Outline
Alternative Fuels
- What are Alternative fuels?
- What is the menu for Alternative fuels?
- Gaseous fuels
- Liquid fuels
- Objectives
- Principal methods
- A word about GHG
Reality
- Ideal versus reality
- Practicality
- Safety:
- Comparison (DNV – SEA LNG report 2019)
- Emissions
- Techniques for reducing emissions
- Alternative fuel production issues
- Expected costs
- Potential regulatory actions to encourage use of alternative fuels
Coffee Break
The Fuels
- Categorizing the fuels
- Individual fuel assessment
- LNG
- LPG
- Methanol
- Bio diesel
- Bio diesel (FAME)
- FAME and fuel standards
- Bio diesel (UCOME)
- Bio diesel (HVO)
- Ammonia
- Hydrogen
- Summary of properties
Uptake
- Which option is winning just now 1
- Which option is winning just now 2
- Which option is winning just now 3
- Which option is winning just now 4
- Which option is winning - summary
Production
- Production issues – EGCS
- Production issues – LNG
- Production issues – LPG
- Production issues – Methanol
- Production issues – Bio diesel
- Production – Bio diesel emissions
- Production issues – Batteries
- Production issues – Ammonia & Hydrogen
- Which option is winning – summary
Transport and distribution
- Transport and distribution – EGCS
- Transport and distribution – LPG
- Transport and distribution – Methanol
- Transport and distribution – Bio diesel
- Transport and distribution – Ammonia & Hydrogen
- Suiso Frontier Liquid Hydrogen carrier
Lunch Break
Delivery
- Delivery principles
- Delivery hazards
- Delivery – LNG
- Delivery – LPG
- Delivery – Methanol
- Delivery – Bio diesel
- Delivery – Ammonia & Hydrogen
Regulations
- Alternative fuels – Regulations
- Regulation
- Guidance
- Key restrictions
- Regulations – LNG
- Regulations – LPG
- Regulations – Methanol
- Regulation – Bio diesel
- More on Bio diesel
- Regulation – Ammonia & Hydrogen
Storage
- Storage for LNG
- LNG tank types
- LNG boil off gas
- Venting LNG
- LPG storage
- LPG handling
- Methanol storage
- Bio diesel storage
- Ammonia storage
- Hydrogen storage
- Space to store and handle fuel
Quantity and Quality
- Quantity and Quality
- Measuring quantity
- Measuring quality
- Gaseous fuels and vapour return
- Tank volume measurement issues
- Volume correction factors
- Weight correction factors
- Emission factors
Synthetic and Bio fuels
- Categorising the fuels
- Synthetic fuels
- Bio LNG
- Bio LPG
- Bio Methanol
Economics
- Looking at the costs
- Extra capital costs
- Fuel costs
- Transport, distribution, storage and delivery
- Taxes and levies
- Alternative fuels – fuel oil equivalent prices
- LNG price
- LNG price determination
- Methanol
- Bio diesel
- Ammonia
- Hydrogen
- Comparison with liquid petroleum fuels
Uptake
- Which option is winning – summary
- The next 5 years
- 2030 to 2040
- Ammonia
- Hydrogen
- Which option is winning just now
End of course