Wallenius Wilhelmsen - Experts & Thought Leaders

As the supplier of marine coatings, Jotun partners with a broad range of stakeholders working to decarbonise shipping. But is the industry moving fast enough? Jotun’s President and CEO Morten Fon shares his views on how leadership, innovation and collaboration can accelerate the transition to a low carbon future. From his corner office on the seventh floor of Jotun’s Headquarters and R&D Centre, Morten Fon, Jotun’s President and CEO, has stunning views of the marine traffic going in and out of the port of Sandefjord, Norway. While the BREEAM-NOR-certified building is new (completed in 2020) Fon’s view would be familiar to the company’s founder, Odd Gleditsch sen., who established the company on the same piece of land in 1926. Reducing harmful emissions “Jotun’s roots in the maritime industry stretch back almost a century, so we have lived through a great many challenges in this highly cyclical industry,” he says. “But in my view, how the industry manages climate change over the next decade will have an enormous impact on how the industry operates for generations to come.” While Fon acknowledges that the industry still has a long way to go to reach IMO GHG targets (which call for a reduction in carbon intensity by at least 40 per cent by 2030 compared to 2008), he sees some encouraging signs of change. “In addition to embracing new technologies, more stakeholders than ever before are working in partnership on ambitious projects to reduce harmful emissions.” Commercialising alternative fuels Fon supports all these efforts, many of which are focussed on developing and commercialising alternative fuels for ships. But he notes that it will take time before the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet the existing demands of the world fleet. And time is running out. Morten Fon, President and CEO, Jotun said ”As a leader in hull performance, we are focussed on where we can make a difference,” he says. “After all, maintaining a cleaner hull with minimal fouling means a vessel has less resistance when sailing through water, reducing the amount fuel required to achieve the same speed. And less fuel burned results in lower emissions. But we also see we can have a greater impact by working with others.” Propeller performance standard “In fact, Jotun has a long history of collaboration. Many Jotun product innovations involve partnerships with owners and shipyards, while others involve cooperation with technical partners and relevant stakeholders in both the private and public sectors.” “For example, in 2013, Jotun helped form an ISO working group made of 53 experts to develop the industry’s first hull and propeller performance standard (ISO 19030), released in 2016. And last year, Jotun joined the Clean Hull Initiative (CHI), which aims to develop a global standard for proactive hull cleaning in international shipping.Creating standards gives owners the tools to measure performance,” says Fon. “And what can be measured can be managed.” Proactive hull cleaning solution As a pioneer in proactive hull cleaning, Jotun is a key partner in the CHI As a pioneer in proactive hull cleaning, Jotun is a key partner in the CHI. In fact, Jotun launched Hull Skating Solutions (HSS), the world first proactive hull cleaning solution, in 2020. HSS includes a remotely operated underwater hull cleaning unit (the Jotun HullSkater), which uses non-abrasive brushes to remove fouling before it can attach to the hull, without damaging the antifouling coating. To develop this technology, Jotun worked with a team of partners, including Kongsberg Maritime, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Semcon, Telenor and DNV. “HSS is a good example of how partnerships are key to developing unique solutions to help industry improve environmental performance,” he says. “HSS not only maintains an always clean hull it lowers the risk of spreading invasive species, which can wreak havoc on local marine eco-systems. Protection of biodiversity goes hand in hand with decarbonisation in the shipping industry, and both require a clean hull and attention to biofouling management.” Sharing standardised reports Fon is also encouraged by the industry’s embrace of data-driven services to improve performance. “Increasingly strict regulations, combined with growing pressure from cargo owners to lower emissions, have resulted in more focus on transparency,” he says. “To achieve compliance and become more competitive, owners have to be able to measure, record and share standardised reports on emissions and the condition of their hulls.” The ability to document regulatory compliance extends to protecting sensitive marine eco-systems The ability to document regulatory compliance extends to protecting sensitive marine eco-systems. “Many countries have become more sensitive to invasive species and will deny port access to vessels who cannot document a clean hull,” says Fon. “Good biofouling management policies and the tools to measure and report on performance, will help owners avoid the so called ‘dirty hull syndrome’, a growing issue for owners.” Offering enhanced services Fon says that with the launch of Jotun’s Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) in 2010, the company got an early start on developing its own digital services. “In addition to our premium hull coating SeaQuantum x200 and high-end technical service, HPS includes a performance-based guarantee, calculated using data taken from onboard sensors,” he explains. “Access to this data not only allowed us to verify HPS performance, it gave us some real insight into hull performance over time adding to our understanding and expertise.” With more than 1,400 HPS applications to date, Jotun now has the industry’s most extensive database on hull performance. “Based on data collected over a decade, we have developed advanced algorithms on hull efficiency to offer enhanced services, such as the Business Impact Calculator and Jotun Voyager, a decision support tool helping customers select the right hull coatings for individual trades,“ he says. Optimising hull performance “And last year, we launched HullKeeper, a digital platform to help ship operators optimise hull performance, using remotely operated inspection drones, ROVs and other technologies, regardless of the applied coating.“ When asked if all these investments in hull cleaning robots and digital services means Jotun is changing its business model, Fon laughs. “Never!” he says. “Everything we do supports our core offering: Marine coatings. That’s why we invested in one of the most advanced R&D facilities in Norway,” he adds, gesturing at the gleaming white building visible next door. “We have over 100 chemists working every day to develop next generation products to meet the evolving demands of the industry and remain committed to solving the industry challenges today, and tomorrow.” Improving energy efficiency Fon acknowledges that managing biofouling represents only a small piece of the decarbonisation puzzle Fon acknowledges that managing biofouling represents only a small piece of the decarbonisation puzzle. To achieve meaningful change, Fon believes owners need common global regulations and more support from the public sector to accelerate the green energy shift. In the meantime, owners would be wise to consider an “all of the above” approach to improving energy efficiency. “As we will see at Nor Shipping 2023, there are a lot of solutions out there but in my view, investing in premium hull coatings is ‘low hanging fruit’, especially now that regulations on emissions and biofouling guidelines are tightening and bunkering costs remain high,” he says. “Owners have to paint the hulls of their vessels anyway, so why not choose a hull coating that is not only proven to reduce fuel costs and corresponding emissions, but can help them compete for high value cargoes by keeping their CII ratings high?” Jotun hull performance coatings In fact, Jotun has calculated (based on EU MRV data) that HPS helps lower carbon intensity by an average of about 20 per cent per year, and, depending on the trade, can expect a return on investment in about the same time period. “Even when more expensive alternative fuels become available, clean hulls will help owners maintain operational efficiency and profitability and limit the risk of invasive species,” Fon says. “We calculated that in 2022 alone, ships using Jotun hull performance coatings avoided 7.9 million tonnes of C02 emissions, so the impact is significant.” Expensive alternative fuels Fon is realistic about the challenges that face the industry, but insists that leadership, innovation and collaboration are the way forward. “We see ourselves as part of the solution, but we also know that by working with other industry players, we can maximise our impact,” says Fon. “At Jotun, we are committed to being a part of the solution and Nor-Shipping is a great place to make new friends!”

At the SMM trade fair, DNV awarded shipping and logistics company - Wallenius Wilhelmsen its first biofuel insetting verification statement - recognising the company’s use of B100 in a recent voyage. Biofuels can help to make an immediate impact on shipping’s GHG emissions. However, they do come at an increased cost and owners need to be sure that they can benefit from their extra investments in sustainability and compliance. Verified biofuel insetting enables this, by creating transparency in a 'book and claim system' across the entire supply chain. New chapter in shipping’s journey DNV has worked with Wallenius Wilhelmsen to verify the GHG reductions it has achieved DNV has worked with Wallenius Wilhelmsen to verify the GHG reductions it has achieved by using 100% biofuel (B100) on the Morning Post vehicle carrier.  Bunkering B100, derived entirely from sustainable sources, at Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the vessel consumed the biofuel over its scheduled voyage, resulting a reduction of 90% CO2 equivalent on well-to-wake basis. This statement is DNV’s first commercial verification of Biofuel insetting with 100% biofuel (B100) and marks a new chapter in shipping’s journey toward decarbonisation. Net-zero 2040 commitment Jørgen Westrum Thorsen, Senior Manager Sustainability, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said: "Our ambition is to lead the transformation of our industry towards a decarbonised future and the increased utilisation of sustainable biofuel will play a part in getting us there and delivering on our net-zero 2040 commitment." Jørgen Westrum Thorsen adds, "Our customers are integral partners on this net zero journey so working closely with DNV to ensure that we can consistently deliver verified emission reductions to our customers is an important step." Green and sustainable services Morten A. Lerø, Managing Director of DNV Maritime Advisory, said: "Biofuel insetting is emerging as an important new solution for companies aiming to reduce their carbon footprint, alongside meeting the increasing strict national and international regulatory targets. But it also has the potential to create new business models, enhancing and expanding the market for green and sustainable services." Morten A. Lerø adds, "In the absence of global standards, or a global accounting database for the approach, the industry needs trusted and independent assessments of these processes to ensure that emission reductions are fairly calculated and accurately tracked." New ground in greening shipping Morten A. Lerø concludes: "For shipping companies, their customers need to trust that their sustainability drivers are backed up by rigorous standards and real, measurable outcomes. This is why we are so proud to work with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, to build this trust, as it continues to break new ground in greening shipping and contributing to the new carbon economy." DNV has developed a biofuel insetting verification service that covers all the steps in this process, from creating an emissions baseline, through the inset process, system validation, all the way through to issuing a verification statement and providing support in Scope 3 accounting. The service can be tailored to individual customers, managing the complexities and helping to build trust and robust processes in this new market.

HD Hyundai Marine Solution, a global pioneering company in the eco-friendly ship retrofitting business, has recently successfully completed an Engine Part Load Optimisation (EPLO) project for a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC). The vessel, MV Morning Concert, is the first of up to eight car carriers from Wallenius Wilhelmsen to undergo EPLO retrofits based on the agreement signed with HD Hyundai Marine Solution and pioneering turbocharger company Accelleron in October 2023. Optimisation of engine parameters This is achieved by reducing the size of the turbocharger’s turbine and compressor EPLO significantly improves the efficiency of marine engines in their most commonly used power range by optimising the configuration of turbochargers. This is achieved by reducing the size of the turbocharger’s turbine and compressor, combined with derating the main engine. This requires optimisation of other engine parameters, such as injection timing for optimal combustion, which allows a significant increase in main engine efficiency over the power range of 20%-85%.  The retrofit work was completed on March 28, 2024, with fuel efficiency gains confirmed during a sea trial on April 7, showing around 3-4% reduction in specific fuel oil consumption compared to pre-retrofit performance. Additionally, shifting the auxiliary blower's switching point to lower engine power significantly reduces the operation time of the blowers and further enhances the overall vessel efficiency. Greenhouse gas reduction regulations To comply with the IMO EEXI and CII and EU ETS and other greenhouse gas reduction regulations To comply with the IMO Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) as well as the EU ETS and other greenhouse gas reduction regulations, many shipping companies are reducing engine output levels to 60-70% of the original design power.  This trend, combined with challenges of adopting expensive biofuels or dual-fuel conversions, is increasing demand for optimisation solutions like EPLO that can significantly enhance efficiency during slow-speed operations. EPLO retrofit service contract HD Hyundai Marine Solution launched the EPLO service with Accelleron in 2021, successfully demonstrating improvements in fuel efficiency on the first vessel. In March 2024, an additional EPLO retrofit service contract was signed for four car carriers with Greece-based Neptune Lines Shipping and Managing Enterprises. Based on this success and increasing customer inquiries, HD Hyundai Marine Solution and Accelleron have announced the signing of their strategic collaboration agreement for the joint development of EPLO service during Posidonia 2024, Greece's largest maritime exhibition, on June 5th, 2024. The agreement includes strategic cooperation in sales, marketing, engineering, procurement and installation. With this move, both companies aim to expand their EPLO business to effectively meet rapidly growing industry demands.