An AFI map depicting bunkering infrastructure for LNG and methanol. Source: DNV GL

The pending 2020 fuel sulfur cap and newly announced International Maritime Organization greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy have put the spotlight on alternative fuels for shipping. DNV GL’s new Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform offers a comprehensive and continually updated overview of alternative fuel projects, bunkering infrastructure, suppliers and technologies.

The AFI platform builds on DNV GL’s well-received LNGi portal, but with an expanded focus that covers LNG, LPG and methanol, as well as emission-reducing technologies such as scrubbers and batteries. The platform consolidates a wealth of detailed technical information on these fuels and technologies, including their bunkering infrastructure, and examines their capabilities and limitations.

With much of the information free to access, the AFI platform is a valuable resource for owners and operators needing to research and keep up to date in this rapidly moving sector. Through the Fuel Finder, tool ship owners and charterers can submit requests for bunkering, specifying fuel type, location, volume and from which date they would like to bunker. DNV GL validates these requests and then makes them available to suppliers.

With interactive maps and data visualizations, it is easy for users to see where infrastructure already exists or will shortly be developed, alongside the growing alternative fueled fleet. And new tools let users dig deeper into the data to analyze trends and screen the feasibility of their alternative fuel projects based on CAPEX, OPEX and fuel prices.