Finnish fuel system provider Auramarine is getting plenty of inquiries as the days tick down to the global sulphur cap.
Skatka Jensen, CEO of Auramarine, says the company’s current focus is liquid fossil and liquid bio fuels, but it is also preparing for other future fuels such as gas.
Liquid fossil fuels will form the main energy source for the world fleet for many years still, Jensen says, pointing to a recent DNV GL maritime 2050 forecast which predicts they’ll still account for a third of all fuel in 30 years’ time.
“Because the fossil fuels are expected to be in use still for many years to come, it is important that they are used in a safe and compliant manner,” Jensen says.
Auramarine’s 2020 portfolio is in place and is attracting plenty of interest.
“Maintaining the correct fuel viscosity and temperature at the engine inlet is crucial regardless of the fuel in use. The fuel supply system needs to be able to deliver the fuel at engine inlet as specified by engine maker in order to guarantee efficient and reliable combustion,” says Jensen.
Jensen recommends owners review their current fuel supply system in order to define the necessary steps to technically comply with the different fuel properties coming up.
“It is likely that the fuel supply system for the ship’s main and auxiliary engines has originally been designed to run on fuels with different properties to the ones that are compliant with the IMO 2020 or sulphur emission control area (SECA) regulations. These limit the sulphur content of fuel to 0.50% globally and to 0.10% in SECAs,” Jensen says.
This year Auramarine will implement an initiative which through optimisation reduces the energy consumption and footprint of Auramarine’s units over their lifecycle.
“Our strategic goal is to be close to our customers and to continue developing fuel supply system technology to meet their needs in an environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient way,” Jensen says, adding: “We also look beyond 2020 by designing solutions that leave room for introducing other solutions if the ship’s operating profile changes.”
