Towards Net Zero

Carbon Emissions

A journey with many small steps

We are taking steps to minimise the environmental impact from our operations and align with the International Maritime Organisation’s ambition of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, and GHG emissions by 50% by 2050 (against a 2008 baseline).

Through many operational and practical energy management initiatives, as well as investments to upgrade and digitalise our fleet – including with pioneering LPG dual-fuel propulsion technology – we have reduced our fuel consumption and correspondingly our GHG emissions across the fleet.

Finding solutions together

BW LPG is pleased to be a signatory to the Getting to Zero Coalition, an alliance of over 120 companies within the maritime, energy, infrastructure and finance sectors, supported by key governments and intergovernmental organisations. The Getting to Zero Coalition is a partnership between the Global Maritime Forum, the Friends of Ocean Action, and the World Economic Forum. We are also a signatory to the Global Maritime Forum’s Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization, where we commit to work with peers and the government to deliver zero emission shipping by 2050.

BW LPG adheres to the ambition of the Coalition in committing to get commercially viable deep sea zero emission vessels powered by zero emission fuels into operation by 2030. The deliverables of the Coalition are managed through a series of parallel workstreams established to identify and drive actionable solutions to meet the ambition of the Coalition.

Reducing emissions with technology

We invest in Alpha Ori Technologies to leverage on their expertise in smart digital solutions and accelerate fleet digitalisation. SMARTShip, an on board monitoring system, allows for continuous monitoring of vessel voyage performances and conditions at sea. Data collected is important for optimisation initiatives as well as emergency and crisis response management.

We implemented emissions and fuel tracking systems to monitor our vessels’ carbon intensities on a single dashboard, in preparation for the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) targets set by the IMO, which comes into force in January 2023.

Managing our emissions

With reference to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, our emissions inventory ensures management of and accountability for our impacts to the environment:

Small Adds for Big Wins

To ensure efficient energy management, our approach includes multiple onboard-energy monitoring systems, physical enhancements to the vessels, and continuous training and awareness for our onshore staff and crew. We also engage a third party service provider to manage the energy and emissions performance for our vessels, with results benchmarked against industry best practices.

Through fleet upgrades, digitalisation and optimisation initaitives, we are decarbonising operations. We continue to track and forecast vessel emissions intensities through data triangulation and address detected deviations. And as we progress, we will review our performance against IMO 2030 and 2050 targets, as well as our ambitious net-zero carbon target, to ensure alignment.

Sailing more efficient ships

1. The Human Element. There is a dedicated team working on energy management and together with trained crew, they oversee all aspects of the vessel’s voyage to ensure leading performance management.
2. LPG Propulsion Engine. Our dual-fuel LPG propulsion engine allows LPG to be used as a marine fuel, improving output efficiencies by about 11% when compared with compliant fuels.
3. SmartShip. An on-board monitoring system which allows for the programming and planning of the vessel’s voyage at optimum efficiency. Sensors are installed on the vessel to capture live data on speed and consumption practices of key machinery, engines, navigational and cargo systems. As the vessel progresses on its voyage, SmartShip continuously provides routing advice that is projected on top of the programmed plan to create a revised and optimally efficient voyage.
4. Total Fuel Oil Consumption (TFOC) System. The TFOC system was added in 2020 to our existing weather routing processes. Algorithms automatically and regularly calculate and calibrate equipment onboard to optimise vessel routing and speed under local sea and weather conditions.
5. LED Lights. We are replacing lights onboard with more efficient LED lights to reduce energy consumption. Nine vessels have completed this upgrade, and the rest of the fleet will follow during their scheduled dry-docks.
6. CASPER System. The CASPER system monitors and measures propeller resistance on a daily basis. This process assists in detecting the level of the ship’s propeller resistance, which over time, results in an increase in the vessel’s consumption due to increased drag.
7. Fins on Propellers. To address energy inefficiencies from propellers, propeller boss cap fins and Mewis ducts are installed in front of propellers as a pre-swirl device to generate more favorable wake conditions. This improves propeller inflow conditions and increases efficiency in propeller performance.
8. Anti-Fouling Paint Technology. Anti-fouling paint is applied on vessels to prevent fouling – the accumulation of bio-organism on the hull and propellers. This premium super slippery paint has a high resistance to fouling, and thus helps reduce resistance as vessels move through water, which translates to reduced energy consumption.
9. Vessel Trim. A vessel’s trim is its floating position in length direction and has a significant impact on fuel use. We use leading fluid dynamic calculation software to determine optimal hydrodynamic performance in relation to current conditions at sea and speed of vessel, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions to air.

Targets and Metrics

Targets

Our ambition is to improve operational efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint. Our strategy is to limit harmful gas and water emissions, and reduce waste generated by from operations and activities.

Metrics

To assess and manage climate-related risks and opportunities, we identify and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Regulatory Compliance

Emissions

BW LPG’s fleet is ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) certified. We adhere to the MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships and also with the relevant flag states’ requirements. None of our vessels fly the flag of a state which are listed in the black list published by the Paris MOU on Port State Control.

Energy Management

Our ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP) is supported by multiple monitoring systems onboard that enable real-time monitoring of our energy use and calibration of equipment to maximise efficiency onboard. The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) will enter into force in 2023. In preparation, we are gathering data and establishing preliminary methods of EEXI determination to ensure full compliance with IMO regulations.