Why LPG Shipping?
From 2023, the IMO (International Marine Organization) is planning to introduce a regulation regarding CO2 emissions. The new rule will mandate the installation of limiters in vessel engines to reduce the operation efficiency down to 70%. Due to this, discussions were mad within the industry to start utilizing green fuels like ammonia and hydrogen.
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Other Sectors - Container Ships
The container shipping sector of the industry has already started developing carbon-zero engines, because the large bodies of container vessels provide a larger room to fit sustainable engines.
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Issues with Small-Size LPG Carriers
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However, small-Size LPG vessels are traditionally designed to have large load capacities while maintaining their small structure, which allows them to enter regional ports and limited bodies of water in order to distribute LPG. This creates an issue for small-size LPG carriers - they have limited room to fit in a larger carbon-zero engine and to rework the infrastructures needed to handle the new fuel. This creates a need for a carbon-zero engine that is able to fit into a Small-Size LPG carrier.
Other Sectors - Small Passenger Boats
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Other sectors have also joined the movement of decarbonizing Shipping.
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A Japanese heavy machinery company called Yanmar has already installed their hydrogen fuel cells into some of their passenger boats.
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This further highlights how the small-size LPG carriers are lagging behind in the movement of decarbonization in Shipping.
What are the Impacts of the IMO Regulation?
A limit to engine operation means a decrease in cruise speed. For LPG shipping, this means that LPG is distributed at a slower efficiency, holding a potential risk of increasing gas prices.
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This issue is not just industrial - it is also a social and economic issue. For example, an average household that cooks 3 times a day consumes about 750g of LPG per day. In pounds, this would be about £3.93 per day. If LPG prices increase, the household would have to pay more to heat homes and cook for the family.
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How will XeroCarbon Impact Shipping
The XeroCarbon engine is able to run on 100% operation even under the IMO regulation because it does not emit any greenhouse gases. This will allow energy distributors and ship owners to stably distribute LPG energy around the world, preventing the increase of gas prices. The XeroCarbon engine would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a long-term impact, aiding the decarbonization process of the shipping industry.