By Antonis Tsimplakis

 

The LNG adoption in the containership market remains strong, due to the attractiveness of the fuel price but also slower than expected production of green methanol.

 

Shipbrokers noted to "Naftemporiki" that the plans of the Greek shipowners include the construction of large 16,000 TEUs dual-fuel container ships with the possibility of using LNG and delivery in 2027.

 

The use of this particular fuel is already leading the way in new orders for container ships at shipyards in China and Korea.

 

The fact that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has not yet proceeded with the adoption of a measure on which the transition of the sector to "net zero" by 2050 will be based, as well as the implementation of "fuel EU" in European ports in 2025 and the start of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2024, which increases the operating costs of ships, show that the use of LNG is currently the most ideal option.

 

It is noted that the use of LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 23% with modern engine technology.

 

Also, the use of this fuel reduces by 20% the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) [calculates grams of CO2 per transport project (g CO2 per tonne-mile) but by the same percentage the carbon intensity index, which is a global environmental measure].

 

Newly built vessels

 

Greek shipowners have been particularly active in placing new orders lately.

 

According to shipping company Xclusiv, 14 dual-fuel containerships using LNG have already been ordered by Greek interests CapitalExecutive Ship Management Corp, Navios Maritime partners and Euroseas Ltd.

 

Greek shipowners have placed total orders for 18 container ships this year.

 

Capital-Executive Ship Management Corp. has recently received four new 2,862 TEU container vessels from HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. These are C/V "Acastos", C/V "Adonis", C/V "Anaxagoras" and C/V "Acheloos."

 

The ships have, with some modifications, technology of an alternative system for obtaining electrical power from the port (AMP ready) and the possibility of installing an exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber), while they also have the possibility of utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel.

 

Port of Piraeus: Resumption of works for the cruise pier in the southern part

 

At the same time,the investment program of the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) is progressing rapidly, following the issuance of the presidential decree, the approval of the master plan and the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as well as the new environmental assessment approval.

 

PPA has set the goal of completing all mandatory investments at the end of the first investment period, according to PPA SA Deputy CEO, Panagiotis Tsonis, at the 7th Transport and Infrastructure Conference held at the Athens Concert Hall. "This is an ambitious, but achievable goal," he underlined.

 

He also revealed that the "green light" was given by EU Funding and the Region of Attica to continue and restart the project of expanding the cruise pier in the southern part of Piraeus port.

 

At the same time, he emphasized that dredging is progressing in the port, "an important project from both an environmental and safety point of view, as it will allow better docking of ships."

 

He estimated that, by the end of 2024, the underground connection of the stores, which will connect the Container Terminal with the Logistics Center, will be completed, while the upgrade of the Perama Shipyard Repair Zone (NPZ Perama) is also progressing.

 

Referring to the "green" transition, Tsonis argued that it is directly connected to ports and shipping. On top of this, the PPA will spend over 50-60 million euros for the supply of ships with electricity from land (cold ironing), for a total of 9 positions, 5 for coastal shipping and 4 for cruises.

 

At this moment, studies have begun for 2 more cold ironing positions in the new cruise extension, while at the same time studies are underway to meet the needs of ro-ro and container ships.

 

Also, Tsonis stated that "we are at the stage of tendering projects for the implementation of cold ironing regarding the aforementioned 9 ship positions."

 

Regarding the PPA's performance for the current year, special mention was made of the impressive figures of cruise in the port of Piraeus, which is expected to achieve a new record with over 1.6 million passengers.

 

Skaramangas Shipyards concludes repair work on a high-demanding Suezmax tanker

 

Skaramangas Shipyards undertook also, the complex and demanding repair work, as the ship arrived at the yard with an inability to rotate the final shaft in the propeller hopper. The repair involved dismantling the propeller, the damaged (unusable) final shaft, the intermediate shaft, as well as the propeller shaft funnel. Then, the propeller was adjusted to a new final shaft (blue-fit), alignment of a new propeller shaft funnel and repositioning of the axle system. During the docking of the ship, all five-year works were completed on schedule.

 

The Suezmax type ship is the largest that can be accommodated in a tank in Greece, and Skaramangas Shipyards is the only shipyard that can undertake such repairs due to the size of Tank No.4 (335 x 54 meters), the specialized staff, facilities and equipment.

 

The completion of this unique and complex work was achieved exclusively by the staff of Skaramangas Shipyards, with certification from the manufacturer of the axle system.

 

The specialized knowledge and dedication of the engineers and technical staff played a key role in the successful completion of the project and proved that they have gained significant expertise from the special projects they have undertaken over time.