In 2015, stricter requirements on fuel oil sulphur content will enter into force in the ECAs. From 2015 the maximum allowable sulfur content in fuel oils is 0.10 % in the ECAs. The confirmed ECAs are Baltic Sea, North Sea and the North American Coast together with the US Caribbean. From 2020 a global requirement of maximum 0.50 % sulphur (outside ECAs) will apply.

There are basically three main options for future compliance with those requirements, noted Lloyd’s Register in 2012:

• Operation on low sulfur fuel oil/marine gas oil (MGO).
• Operation on heavy fuel oil (HFO) with an exhaust gas scrubber.
• Operation on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or alternative fuels.

One of the largest obstacles to widespread take-up of LNG as ship fuel—and hence its viability as an option to meet ECA requirements—is the lack of a bunkering infrastructure, Lloyd’s Register noted; Lloyd’s commissioned a study with the aim of understanding how LNG bunkering infrastructure may develop.

LNG bunkering vessel. Click to enlarge.

The WS3 is designed as a twin screw, double-hull LNG bunkering vessel, powered by dual-fuel engines. Two insulated independent Type C LNG cargo tanks are provided with a total capacity of 2,800 CBM (cubic meters). Each tank has one frequency controlled cryogenic deep well pump securing efficient cargo handling with high capacity. The cargo system is designed with multi-client, multi customer-capabilities and continuous measuring of quality and quantity during loading and discharge/delivery to customers. The vessel can also deliver MGO/diesel to customers.