An Alternative Fuels Initiative (LNG, GTL, HVO)

Heerema Marine Contractors believes that a responsible company has an obligation to act in a sustainable manner.  This includes the minimisation of our impact on the environment, which is why we are investing in our alternative fuels initiative in order to reduce our carbon footprint and emissions.

Heerema has already invested heavily in cleaner fuels to power its vessels, exemplified by the use of LNG for the Sleipnir.  In addition to this major step forward, ongoing efforts are made to further reduce emissions on the existing Heerema fleet.  That is why Heerema is looking into the usage of Gas To Liquid fuel (GTL) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to further reduce its footprint.

These are both synthetic, paraffinic diesel fuels.  Both have the potential to greatly reduce emissions – especially SO_X and Particulate Matter (PM) – and can even reduce CO₂ well-to-propeller emissions up to 80% in some cases.  These are so-called drop-in fuels, meaning virtually no adjustments are required for implementation.

Sustainable innovation must also include operational best practices, which will be delivered through our use of either LNG, GTL, and HVO fuels.  LNG is much cleaner than convention fuels, with very low emissions of NO_X, SO_X, and particulate matter (PM).  All these fuels reduce emissions (CO₂, NO_X, PM) onboard Heerema’s vessels.  In addition to environmental advantages, GTL/HVO might provide a reduction in particulate matter or smog on board which is also beneficial to the crew.

This is backed by the pilot which has taken place on board Thialf to test the performance of GTL and HVO.  The results show great promise in the reduction of local emissions for the crew and the environment.