Shell - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) celebrates the first anniversary of SIRE 2.0, its updated and enhanced Ship Inspection Report Programme, recognising a year since the global implementation of the overhauled tanker inspection programme. Since its launch on 2 September 2024, following a gradual roll-out to the industry to replace the paper-based SIRE (VIQ7) programme, over 22,000 SIRE 2.0 inspections have been completed worldwide. Adoption of the new programme SIRE 2.0 inspections have been conducted in 2,100 ports by 460 SIRE 2.0 accredited inspectors SIRE 2.0 inspections have been conducted in 2,100 ports by 460 SIRE 2.0 accredited inspectors. With only 0.2 percent of inspections having to use the paper-based contingency in the past 12 months, the adoption of the new programme has been a marked success. “SIRE 2.0 represents one of the most significant evolutions in our industry’s approach to safety assurance,” said Karen Davis, OCIMF Managing Director, adding “Its success over the past year is a direct result of meaningful collaboration between members, operators, inspectors and our technical teams. We are proud of what we’ve achieved together and are fully committed to ensuring the programme continues to reflect industry’s needs.” Looking ahead: continuous improvement OCIMF is committed to building on the strong foundations laid in year one and is now focusing its attention on ensuring the programme is further optimised and incorporates emerging industry risks. Planned developments for the year ahead include: Leveraging improved data insights to inform OCIMF’s wider approach to safety advocacy and sharing of best practices across industry through its publications, programmes and engagement with industry. Providing ongoing Inspector training programmes to support the delivery of consistently high-quality inspections. Integration of data insights with guidance materials to help inspectors, operators and members identify and mitigate risks earlier. Ensuring continued and productive engagement with programme users to facilitate continuous learning, improvement and best-practice sharing. Roll-out of SIRE 2.0 successfully concluded Cudbertson will oversee the work of all OCIMF’s programmes, including SIRE 2.0 With the roll-out of SIRE 2.0 successfully concluded and the programme embedded within the industry, Capt. Aaron Cooper has concluded his secondment to OCIMF as its Programmes Director and has returned to Chevron, his parent company, to take up the position of Senior Manager, Marine Operations Performance and Projects. Dave Cudbertson, formerly Manager, Global Maritime Assurance Downstream & Renewables at Shell and previously a member of the SIRE 2.0 Steering Committee, has begun his secondment to OCIMF by taking on the role of Programmes Director. Cudbertson will oversee the work of all OCIMF’s programmes, including SIRE 2.0. Adoption of SIRE 2.0 “For industry, the adoption of SIRE 2.0 required a significant amount of work and dedication over several years, resulting in the improved inspection regime being embedded within operations. We now move into a new phase of optimisation and innovation and aim to ensure the programme not only keeps pace with industry change but also anticipates it,” said Dave Cudbertson. OCIMF extends its thanks to all stakeholders for contributing to the success of SIRE 2.0’s first year. To ensure the programme continues to serve industry in the future, OCIMF encourages stakeholders to support it by providing feedback via the SIRE 2.0 Suggestions for Improvement (SFI) portal available to programme users.

DNV has awarded a detailed Approval in Principle (AiP) to Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited and Brevik Engineering for their design of a 74,000 cubic metres (cbm) liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier. The vessel is specifically designed for the Asia Pacific market to enable cost competitive transport of CO2. Development of larger vessels CCS is set to play a key role in decarbonisation of industry in Asia Pacific Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is set to play a key role in decarbonisation of industry in Asia Pacific. Emitting countries such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore are studying the possibility of shipping substantial quantities of their own CO2 to store locations within the wider region. This necessitates the development of larger capacity vessels than those currently planned for European CCS projects. Low-pressure cargo tank designs are a key enabler to commercialise these large LCO2 ships to enable transportation of CO2 at lower cost. Assessment of specific technical challenges This AiP from DNV covers a comprehensive scope across a wide range of disciplines, including the assessment of specific technical challenges for LCO2 carriers. Over 50 documents have been reviewed, with special emphasis on cargo tank design, including tank integrity analysis and suitability of material.  Innovative low-pressure shipping technology The vessel is also designed for future onboard capture of CO2 from the main engine exhaust With dimensions capped at 290 metres in length and a 12-meter draft to access key East Asian ports, the designed ship mirrors the size of a 174,000 cbm LNG carrier. It features 15 cylindrical tanks that store 74,000 cbm of liquid CO2 at around −50°C and 6–8 barg, a low-pressure industry standard. The vessel is also designed for future onboard capture of CO2 from the main engine exhaust. This achievement marks a significant milestone in showcasing the viability of innovative low-pressure shipping technology for CO2. Innovation and collaboration in advancing solutions Mathias Sørhaug, Business Development Director CO2 shipping, DNV Maritime said: “We are pleased to be collaborating closely with Shell and Brevik Engineering on bringing this innovative gas carrier design to fruition." "This AiP underscores the importance of joint innovation and collaboration in advancing solutions that support the development of the wider CCS value chain. Scale is essential to drive down the cost of CCS and this work demonstrates the feasibility of large CO2 carriers with a low carbon footprint.” Feasibility of low-pressure shipping Lee Teng-Huar, Shell General Manager, Maritime Operations, Asia Pacific and Middle East commented: “After months of technical research, we are proud to have received this detailed Approval in Principle confirming the feasibility of low-pressure shipping with a design that is tender-ready." "We are excited to see how innovations like this can potentially enhance safety, achieve scalability and flexibility to drive cost competitiveness in the implementation of large-scale cross-border CCS.” Marine design and CO2 ship logistics AiP is an independent evaluation of a concept based on a predefined framework of requirements Evert Grødal, Managing Director of Brevik Engineering AS, is proud to bring the company’s experience in marine design and CO2 ship logistics to the development of this novel low-pressure CO2 carrier, where the key philosophy has been to reduce technological risk and ensure compliance with current regulations. “Based on a comprehensive technology study, conducted in collaboration with Shell, this innovative design is expected to set new benchmarks in safe, efficient, and sustainable large-scale CO₂ shipping,” he concluded. Feasibility of the design An Approval in Principle (AiP) is an independent evaluation of a concept based on a predefined framework of requirements. It confirms the feasibility of the design and ensures there are no significant technical obstacles hindering its implementation.

Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) announced Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry pioneer with a global fleet, has become the latest member to join the cross-sectoral methane abatement initiative. The company is expected to provide valuable insights and support MAMII's ongoing efforts to develop and implement effective methane emission reduction strategies across the maritime industry. Reduction of methane emissions Addressing methane emissions is a key priority for the sector; as transitional fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) are increasingly adopted, pioneers are focused on the reduction of methane emissions to reduce the environmental impact of the value chain. Established in 2022, and led by Safetytech Accelerator, MAMII unites industry pioneers, technology innovators, and maritime stakeholders to develop technologies that monitor, measure, and mitigate methane emissions from LNG-powered ships. Challenges to reduce environmental impact Royal Caribbean Group joins a growing roster of members including BP, CMA CGM, GTT Royal Caribbean Group joins a growing roster of members including BP, CMA CGM, GTT, Lloyd’s Register, Capital Gas, MSC, NYK Lines, and Shell, reflecting the initiative’s broad industry engagement. Steve Price, Programme Director at Safetytech Accelerator, commented: “Methane abatement is an urgent challenge as we work to reduce the maritime sector's environmental impact. Methane’s significant contribution to climate warming makes this an issue we cannot overlook. With Royal Caribbean Group on board, we gain a partner that shares our determination to drive innovation and collaboration in addressing this critical issue.” Net zero emissions by 2050 "We are excited to join industry leaders and collaborate on the MAMII initiative, which we believe will play a critical role in information sharing and tool development needed to manage methane emissions,” said Palle Laursen, executive vice president and head of marine, Royal Caribbean Group. “We are committed to industry collaboration and partnerships like this are key to achieve Destination Net Zero, our decarbonisation strategy to reach net zero emissions by 2050.” MAMII recently published a report examining the scale of methane slip in LNG-fueled vessels and the technologies available to tackle it. The report, available here, serves as a call to action for industry leaders to join the effort in combating methane emissions.