Green Seas: A podcast by TradeWinds

Ammonia is a zero-carbon fuel, but there are lingering concerns about the safety of using it to power ships because of its toxicity. But WinGD chief executive Dominik Schneiter, whose company is gearing up to deliver the first ammonia-fuelled engine, says the lessons from companies that operate vessels that haul the commodity and the crew members who work on them have contributed to ensuring a safety level equivalent to the gas carriers of today.

When the feeder container ship Solong ploughed into the anchored tanker Stena Immaculate off England, the issue of seafarer fatigue was quickly identified as one possible cause of the accident. Fatigue is not a new problem in shipping, despite efforts to deal with it. TradeWinds technology editor and former navigating officer Craig Eason looks at why the advent of the Maritime Labour Convention has failed to solve the problem. He talks to accident experts Captain Jim Staples and Nippin Anand on the causes, what needs to be done, and whether technology developments have been a help, or an additional problem.

TradeWinds' Sandra Boga interviews professor Rafet Emek Kurt, director of the Maritime Human Factors Centre at the University of Strathclyde, who warns that accidents could happen in ammonia-fuelled shipping and suggests more needs to be done consider seafarers' cognitive load. Photo: WiseStella

This week (17th to 21st February) is the last full week of dedicated talks by regulators about the way shipping will be forced to decarbonise. After this there's a couple of additional days planned in March, and then the MEPC meeting itself where a decision has to be agreed. So what to expect and how have we got to where we are now? In this special Green Seas episode, TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason offers a short recap of the journey so far and talks to University College London's maritime decarbonisation policy expert Tristan Smith about what to expect from this week and what comes next.

Ships in California, and soon in Europe, need to connect to shore power when alongside. It is for health reasons due to nitrous oxides and small harmful particulates that damage the health of people in nearby communities. The problem comes when there is no shore connection. There is an alternative, and this is what STAX Engineering is beginning to offer. Collect and treat the emissions from barges. The company is growing in California and has its eyes on Europe and UK, as well as expending to collect other shipping emissions too. In this week's Green Seas, TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason looks at port emission regulations and talks to STAX chief executive MIke Walker about their idea to suck up exhaust and treat it.

In this sponsor episode, the Ocean Climate Impact Series' first guest, MariApps CEO Sankar Ragavan, returns alongside Bureau Veritas' director of strategy, M&A and sustainability, Suba Sivandran, to explore all the ways the marine industry has evolved in 2024. As we move into the new year, we create the actions of tomorrow from the lessons of today as our speakers discuss market trends, the future of the industry, collaboration, cost management and growth.

In this sponsor episode of the TradeWinds Content Studio's Ocean Climate Impact Series, Bureau Veritas Marine and Offshore's Suba Sivandran explores the most pressing challenges of the maritime industry. From managing decarbonisation and driving innovation to promoting growth in a rapidly evolving sector, Suba dives intohow sustainability can realistically be achieved. Sivandran is director of strategy, M&A, and sustainability at Bureau Veritas.

How can industries harness the unceasing power of the ocean to meet their green energy needs? Two companies are working together to answer that question by developing a vessel that will use electricity made from wave power to produce green ammonia. We talk to SwitcH2 and CorPower Ocean about their unique plan.

United European Car Carriers has signed up with fuel producer Titan to deliver liquefied biomethane, or bio-LNG, to its ships through 2025. And energy and sustainability manager Daniel Gent says the operator wants to do more.

The UK's original plans to follow Brussels in requiring shipping companies to buy carbon credits for their carbon emissions was originally limited to domestic voyages. Now, officials in London are considering whether to take a step further. We talk to Transport & Environment's Jon Hood about the implications.

The Safer Choice programme of the US Environmental Protection Agency may be best known for certifying household cleaning products, but it recently gave the green label to an organic chemical product used to clean components on ships. Hendry Marine president Kelly Hendry and organic chemist Patrick Baymont discuss how Seascour won the EPA nod.

Societe Generale's Paul Taylor is a leading banker for ship lending, and he is also a leader in bringing decarbonisation to ship finance decisions as vice president and co-founder of the Poseidon Principles. As the initiative gears up for its next annual report, Taylor expects his bank to show improvement in the greenhouse gas emissions of the fleet it finances. He explains why the Poseidon Principles transparency initiative is changing lending behaviour.

Shipping could face more legal risks as it gears up to comply with FuelEU Maritime, the latest round of carbon rules that Brussels has foisted on the industry. We talk to Watson Farley & Williams regulatory lawyers Nick Walker and Valentina Keys about the minefield ahead for the industry.

Di Gilpin has been on a 20-year journey to prove modern wind propulsion can work in shipping. She finally got to see testing of a prototype wingsail by her company Smart Green Shipping on a vessel in the UK this month. She talks to TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason about her motivation, how she collaborates with others and, importantly, how she now plans to commercialise her dream.

FuelEU Maritime, which will impose gradually tightening carbon-intensity limits on shipping, is nearly upon us. As Brussels' newest carbon regulation looms, we check in with two digital technology companies that are helping their customers prepare. We talk to Geir Olafsen, chief digital officer at Siglar Carbon, and Bobby Morse, associate director of products at Veson Nautical. Is shipping ready, and what does it need to do to get there?

The podcast travels to the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum Japan, where Julian Bray led a live panel discussion to explore shipping's path toward lower-carbon fuels. We hear from Michihiko “Mike” Nakano of Asahi Tanker and e5 Lab, Oystein Kalleklev of Flex LNG and Avance Gas, Andrew Hoare of Fortescue Marine Systems and Green Shipping and Hiroyoshi Kubo of Mitsui OSK Lines.

With backers that include shipowner Navigator Gas, Ten08 Energy is working to line up commercial contracts to build its planned ammonia plant, and shipping looks to be a big part of the customer base. The company wants to make green ammonia, but it is mostly focused on the blue version of the fuel, which is produced from fossil fuels with carbon capture. We spoke to chief executive Jean Perarnaud in Houston.

We travel to Houston to find out why projects that want to provide low-carbon fuels to shipping and other industries are in the slow lane two years after the Inflation Reduction Act promised to inject optimism, and cash, into the sector. We interviewed Jeff Pollack of the Port of Corpus Christi, Gregory Dolan of the Methanol Institute, Rebecca Boudreaux of Oberon Fuels, Jean Perarnaud of Ten08 Energy and Mark Brownstein of the Environmental Defense Fund. Photo: Scanpix

Decisions by crew members can have an impact on a ship's greenhouse gas footprint, but how do motivate seafarers to make the right choices? Tech start-up Signol believes it has the answer: using the tools of behavioural science, We talk to the company's Michael Fanning, Divya Sukumar and Harriett Hunnisett-Johnson.

Container ship operators have taken a variety of paths to tackle emissions, but they are united on one thing: a proposed regulation called the green balance mechanism. We talk to Simon Bergulf of AP Moller-Maersk and Bryan Wood-Thomas of the World Shipping Council. Photo: Vincent Clerc/Maersk

TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason speaks to MAN Energy Solutions head of two-stroke business Bjarne Foldager about meeting increased demand for dual-fuel engines, getting licensees to ramp up production, the growing interest in ammonia as a fuel and how long an engine conversion takes.

In his first year on the job, International Maritime Organization secretary general Arsenio Dominguez has confronted two major sustainability challenges facing shipping: decarbonisation and the violence in the Red Sea, which threatens an oil spill and endangers mariners. He spoke to TradeWinds editor-in-chief Julian Bray at the Shipowners' Forum Germany.

Trading giant Trafigura is looking to biofuels and ammonia as ways to tackle its greenhouse gas footprint, and head of wet freight Andrea Olivi says FuelEU Maritime is a major reason. We talk to him about how the new European Union law is set to boost green fuel uptake.

After snapping up e1 Marine from joint venture partners Ardmore Shipping and Element 1, New Orleans-based Maritime Partners is positioned to take hydrogen generators to wider applications. We talk to Element 1 chief executive Dave Edlund about the tech that combines the advantages of methanol and hydrogen as fuels. Photo: Elliot Bay Design Group.

TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason talks to Sebjorn Dahl, COO at Hoegh Autoliners during the naming ceremony of Hoegh Aurora, about the decision to go for ammonia with 12 newbuildings and how they are training the crews to use both LNG and ammonia fuel.

LNG has returned as the main alternative fuel for new ships, and that means to be truly green, these vessels will need to turn to renewable forms of the fuel. With e-LNG produced from green hydrogen still far more expensive, bio-LNG is the key option on the menu. We speak to SEA-LNG chief operating officer Steve Esau, and we hear from Alexandra Veroude, an analyst at environmental commodities trader STX Group, who spoke on a NorthStandard webinar. Photo: Titan Clean Fuels and STX Group

This sponsor episode is part of TradeWinds Content Studio's Ocean Climate Impact Series. The CEO of ABS Wavesight, Staci Satterwhite, joins the podcast to discuss how accurate data is driving cost efficiencies, impacting decarbonisation strategies and helping companies weather the digital transformation sweeping the shipping industry. She provides insights into the challenges shipowners are facing as the future continues towards greener, cleaner targets.

Chris Kruger is a maritime battery guru and pioneer. He has worked with some of the biggest battery makers in shipping and with his company AYK Energy is promoting LFP technology which he says is safer and cheaper. He is also looking at the potential of new solid-state technology.

This sponsor episode is part of TradeWinds Content Studio's Ocean Climate Impact Series. Data has always played a key role in the shipping industry, but Miros Mocean believes that clients should not be satisfied by the current status quo of unreliable data. That quality, commercial data can help drive decarbonisation and reduce operational costs, are but a few reasons the sector should embrace accuracy. Miros Mocean's Christian Bonfils joined the podcast to discuss green financing, decarbonisation and the need for accurate data to pave a new future for the shipping industry.

When European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stood before EU lawmakers and successfully made the case for a second term, she struck a different tone on the Green Deal, her signature climate initiative that included regulations on shipping. The shift means the effort is still alive but moves into an investment and implementation phase. We talk to Sotiris Raptis of the European Community Shipowners Associations and Sian Prior of Seas at Risk.

An episode of TradeWinds Content Studio's Ocean Climate Impact Series. Biofouling solutions have always been an important part of what Jotun does. As one of the leading manufacturers of paints and coatings, the company continues to dedicate time and effort into research and innovations that will power the next generation of biofouling solutions. Jotun's Jessica Doyle, Global Sales Director of Shipping, and Petter Korslund, Regulatory Affairs Manager of Performance Coatings, sat down with host Jade du Preez to talk about the future of biofouling and how Jotun plans to tackle the problem as regulations increase and change. This podcast episode is sponsor content, with no involvement of TradeWinds journalists.

Shipping could rack up $1.46bn of penalties in 2025 under the incoming FuelEU Maritime regulations, with a potential new market emerging for the sale and purchase of surplus energy volumes according to experts. TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason explains

Data from shipbroking giant Clarksons shows that orders for vessels powered by alternative fuels have shifted to see LNG dominate methanol, as price and availability impact decision-making. We hear from C2X chief financial officer Alastair Maxwell, who spoke in an Evercore fireside chat, and Princess Cruises' Bob Alton, who spoke on a webinar by the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and Port of Seattle.

This episode is part of the Ocean Climate Impact Series, a sponsor content podcast by the TradeWinds Content Studio. With increasing decarbonisation regulations, the need for more efficient vessel optimisation whilst also keeping ahead of moving targets has never been more important. Sankar Ragavan, CEO of MariApps, walks host Jade du Preez through the intricate details of the vessel optimisation software options that could revolutionise decarbonisation efforts. Take the stress out of navigating ever-changing regulations, safe in the knowledge that MariApps' fully integrated vessel solutions are doing the leg work for you.

Sacramento has done it before — regulating the environmental footprint of ships at sea rather than waiting for action by the International Maritime Organization. And now officials in the California capital are considering doing it again — this time for greenhouse gas emissions. We talk to University of California Berkeley's David Wooley, Pacific Environment's Teresa Bui and Chamber of Shipping of America's Kathy Metcalf.

In San Francisco, the first hydrogen-fuelled ferry in the US is gearing up for operations. We talk to Switch Maritime chief executive Pace Ralli and Zero Emission Industries chief executive Joe Pratt about what it means for the future.

Tomoaki Ichida is a rare shipping executive in Palo Alto, where he's leading Mitsui OSK Lines' MOL Switch as it looks to spend $100m on start-ups and venture capital firms that are rethinking energy. The podcast caught up with him at his Silicon Valley office.

UK-based shipowner Union Maritime says it will fit 34 ships on order with wind propulsion systems. This is the biggest single wind propulsion order. “Our big ticket play,” according to Union Maritime. In this episode, TradeWinds Technology editor Craig Eason spoke to Union Maritime boss Laurent Cadji, and John Cooper, from BAR Technologies about the order and its implications.

At a time when Houthi attacks on shipping are highlighting risks facing the industry, another is looming in the background. A recent report by insurance giant Allianz highlighted decarbonisation as a key challenge. We speak to Allianz Commercial's Rahul Khanna and Ocean Arena's Gina Panayiotou.

Two major US offshore wind projects began construction as the former president vying to win the White House back threatens to put a stop to the sector's growth. We talk to Recharge's Tim Ferry about the intersection of politics and renewable energy.

As the shipping industry changes as new fuels, new technologies and digitalisation make their mark, so it will need people from all walks of life to be part of it too. This calls for diversity and a sense of belonging. Craig Eason spoke to Heidi Heseltine, founder of the shipping focused Diversity Study Group, about a new initiative with shipping companies, to find out how we as an industry can make sure seafarers, whatever their background, can feel they belong and can play a role in our industry's transition.

Green Seas boards the Carnival Celebration to talk to key company executives about climate action and circular economy. We hear from Carnival Corp's William Burke and Tom Strang, Carnival Cruise Lines' Richard Pruitt and more.

TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason talks to Hing Chao, executive chairman of Wah Kwong the dry bulk owner about the company's strategy and which technologies he thinks will work for his fleet. Also why he is such a keen supporter of ZESTAs the zero emissions ship technology association.

Danielle Southcott's Veer Group is working to make zero-emission container shipping a reality. Her company has just signed a letter of intent to build vessels powered by wind, with hydrogen fuel cells in port. She spoke to Eric Priante Martin live at the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum USA.

The European Union's Emissions Trading System can be daunting for shipowners, so the shipping's third-party technical managers are aiming to help them navigate it by adding emissions management to their services catalogue. We talk to Carl Schou of Wilhelmsen Ship Management, Mathavan Subbiah of Synergy Marine and Frederic Bouthillier of Vertis Environmental Finance.

The carbon credits that shipping companies have to buy for European voyages have regained some ground after crashing to unexpectedly low levels. Where are they headed next? We speak to Mattia Ferracchiato of BRS Shipbrokers and Frederic Bouthillier of Vertis Environmental Finance.

Shipowners need to order vessels with new fuel capabilities and new cleantech solutions, but this ups the price, complexity and slot times that shipyards offer. Shipyards seek clarity, certainty. How can they work together?

Eric Priante Martin sits down with Alexander Saverys, the chief executive who is working to turn Euronav, soon to be rebranded CMB.Tech, into a multi-sector play on ammonia and hydrogen-fuelled shipping. He explains why he's forging ahead with ammonia even though there are not enough green molecules of the fuel to fill his planned ships. We also speak to DNV Maritime chief executive Knut orbeck-Nilssen about the role he sees ammonia playing in shipping's energy landscape.

Norwegian shipowner Hoegh Autoliners has ordered 12 very large car carriers to be built in China. The first eight will be built between 2024 and 2027 to be fuelled with LNG and then later retrofitted to use ammonia as a fuel. The last four, starting in 2027, will be built with engines that can use ammonia even though engine makers have not yet finished developing ammonia engines and fuel makers have not yet ramped up production. Hoegh Autoliners head of strategy Lise Duetoft talks to TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason about the strategy and the hopes that all its ducks will be in a row in time.

In a bonus episode, TradeWinds technology editor Craig Eason interviews a second officer from the Philippines about her experience in a shipping industry with too few females at sea.

The case of imprisoned seafarer Denys Korotkiy has rekindled a debate over US prosections of oil dumping in international waters by ships at sea. Are these cases overreach? Or are they an essential tool for fighting pollution? We speak to Edward MacColl of Thompson, MacColl & Bass; Gregory Linsin of Blank Rome; George Chalos of Chalos & Co and John Amos of SkyTruth.