About the client:
The client, a power solutions innovator, tapped PreScouter to research alternative low-carbon fuels in the maritime sector as a response to a growing need to diminish greenhouse gas emissions.
Challenge:
In this Research Support Service Project, the client was interested in affordable low-carbon fuel technologies that would have no issues with engine compatibility, availability to bunker, or safety.
Approach:
By building two separate teams in four weeks, PreScouter built a roadmap of fuel and related infrastructure for the small ship segment (i.e., tugboats, ferries, and offshore service vessels).
Those teams were composed of 8 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who had between 10 and 30 years of experience in the maritime and sustainability sector and 5 advanced Degree Researchers. They were in charge of gathering and compiling all publicly available information, which was used to compare the insights shared by the SMEs.
Outcome:
PreScouter presented the client with a roadmap for adopting alternative low-carbon fuels in the maritime sector. The roadmap included:
- A forecast through 2050 of the market share for each type of fuel (diesel, LNG, fuel cells, etc.).
- Strengths and weaknesses of each fuel, including volumetric and gravimetric energy density, costs, technological and commercial maturity, life cycle GHG emissions, and other pollutants.
- Level of development of the corresponding infrastructure, covering bunkering options, engine technology available, and safety aspects.
Impact of PreScouter’s work:
The results allowed the client to make an informed decision on what technologies in this sector to invest further resources in.
