Fleet upgrade program brings Vitol ‘on track’ to meet IMO 2030 target

Energy and commodities company Vitol has revealed that it is ‘on track’ to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 target due to a ‘comprehensive dry dock program’.

As part of the fleet dry dock program this year, four very large gas carriers (VLGCs) have been upgraded, and a further four vessels are due to go through the process this year.

The hulls were comprehensively blasted in all dockings to remove any debris that may incur drag, and premium anti-fouling paint was applied. According to Vitol, the impact of this alone is significant, with data showing an increase in efficiency on one of the vessels that was recoated in December 2023.

Furthermore, each ship has also been fitted with improvements to the propellers; EnergoFlow, a pre-swirl stator that optimizes stern inflow to improve propulsive efficiency, and EnergoProFin, an energy-saving propeller cap with fins that rotate together with the propeller.

“From previous projects, we know that these improvements can result in an average decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 6%. All this work means that we’re currently on track to meet IMO 2030 targets of 40% emissions reduction,” Vitol stated.

“We’ve spent a lot of time planning and executing this emissions-reducing drydock programme,” explained Ian Butler, Head of Energy Transition – Shipping at Vitol.

“We continue to explore and test nascent innovations covering all aspects of the emissions spectrum, and will roll these out as they become proven.“

Recently, Vitol, through its shipping company Vitol International Shipping, secured three LNG bunkering vessels via a charter agreement with UK-based company Avenir LNG and an order at CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) shipyard in Nantong, China.

Last year, Vitol traded over 17 million tonnes of LNG worldwide. The company has been investing in bio-LNG infrastructure through its subsidiary ViGo bioenergy and also provides bunker fuels, through its subsidiary Vitol Bunkers.

Earlier this year, Vitol Bunkers put into operation its newbuild specialized bunker barge, the Marine Future, to complete the first delivery of B30 biofuel blend in Singapore. The vessel is part of the company’s plans to expand the supply of biofuels in Asia.