Teekay to participate in pilot programme for fuel conditioner

The agreement will see Teekay pilot the SulNOxEco fuel conditioner in Gibraltar and Singapore.

SulNOx’s fuel conditioner aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions and particulate matter by fully combusting what would otherwise have been unburned fuel emitted as particulate matter.

SulNOx has already trialled the service. In June 2023, independent engine emissions monitoring specialist Green Sea Guard reported a successful one-year test programme on Yalla, a superyacht, showing black carbon and particulate matter reduced by more than 99%.

And the company has also announced recent success with a vessel owner on a four-stroke engine, with tests showing an average reduction in fuel consumption of 10.5% over three months, leading to an expansion and roll out to other vessels.

The company also touts benefits that include improved lubricity, as verified by VPS at an average of over 17%, and a strong detergency that helps keep engine systems cleaner.

"Combined, these make a big difference to friction and efficiency losses. Studies and long-term tests have also shown lower operating pressures and temperatures, indicating improved engine health and importantly, lower NOx production," the company said.

SulNOxEco fuel conditioner can use an embedded code, called a tag, provided by Forecast Technology to ’fingerprint’ treated fuel and allow a batch to be traced to ensure operational transparency. The technology may help to improve CII ratings and can insulate vessels against liabilities. 

SulNOx Group non-executive director and head of marine Nicholas Fairfax, said, “The shipping sector is under enormous pressure to reduce its environmental impact with its enhanced targets recently adopted at Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) at IMO as part of the IMO GHG Strategy.”

“Efficiency is key to the transition to net zero and this is where SulNOx can have significant impact while liquid hydrocarbon fuels are used on a mass-scale, by optimising the combustion process and reducing fuel consumption, emissions and black carbon. The combination of having global scalability, fuel compliance certifications, little or no need for upfront capital expenditure and with significant net cost savings on offer, make SulNOx’s solutions very compelling for shipping and beyond."