To live up to our vision and mission, we continue to deliver the energy the world needs today while working on solutions for the future. We are doing this through a dual focus on reducing the environmental impact of our current business, and investing in renewable technologies that support a circular and sustainable economy.
We have decreased average emissions per vessel across our businesses. We are on track to meet the IMO’s environmental goal of a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 and a 50% reduction in total annual GHG emissions by 2050, compared to 2008 levels.
Our fleet has improved on the industry’s two most prominent measures of carbon intensity: Annual Efficiency Ratio (AER) and Energy Efficiency Operational Index (EEOI). From 2023 to 2024, as an average across our businesses, AER and EEOI improved by 3.2% and 4.9%, respectively.
Retrofitting Existing Assets
In 2024, BW LNG identified retrofit solutions to further enhance competitiveness and future-proof its fleet while reducing the overall carbon footprint. Working closely with charterer and joint-venture partner Pavilion Energy, BW LNG will install subcoolers on three vessels, BW Pavilion Vanda, BW Pavilion Leeara, and BW Pavilion Aranda. This initiative is aligned with BW’s commitment to technical and operational excellence.
In 2025, the three vessels will be retrofitted with subcoolers from Air Liquide, supported by EPC contractors Hanwha Power Systems and Hyundai Marine Solutions. The installations will be carried out at the Yiu Lian Shipyard in Shenzhen, China, over an estimated 45-day period.
The subcoolers enhance cargo handling efficiency by drawing LNG from the tanks, cooling it further, and reintroducing it to the cargo. This process reduces boiloff gas by around 2.1 tonnes of LNG per hour, contributing to lower fuel consumption and emissions. This retrofit represents a key milestone in BW LNG’s drive to improve energy efficiency across its operations, while delivering more commercial value for charterers.
By investing in advanced retrofit solutions, BW LNG reaffirms its commitment to sustainable growth — enhancing value for customers while proactively preparing for a more complex regulatory and emissions landscape.
Investing in technological innovations for operational efficiency
In the eightieth session of the International Maritime Organization (‘IMO’) Marine Environment Protection Committee (‘MEPC’ 80) held in July 2023, a revised GHG Reduction Strategy with more ambitious targets was adopted. BW Epic Kosan is committed to meeting these targets as early as possible by investing in technology to enhance vessel energy efficiency, digitalisation, and improved newbuild designs to lower GHG emissions at sea and in port.
BW Epic Kosan continues to drive decarbonisation efforts in close collaboration with clients and industry partners. Over the past year, opportunities in the LCO₂ and green ammonia segments have advanced further, leveraging our in-house technological expertise built on decades of experience in managing complex LPG and petrochemical operations — always with safety at the core.
A major milestone in 2024 was the signing of an MoU with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, reinforcing our commitment to developing handy-sized ammonia carriers ranging from 9,000 cbm to 35,000 cbm. These vessels will be equipped with dual-fuel ammonia engines and bunkering capabilities.
Similarly, significant progress has been made in the LCO₂ segment, with discussions advancing steadily, as evidenced by our shortlisting for projects across Europe and Asia. These projects will continue to be developed in collaboration with trusted partners throughout the coming year.
Looking ahead to 2025, BW Epic Kosan sees it as a pivotal year to solidify commitments and drive the delivery of transportation solutions in the LCO₂ and green ammonia segments — many of which align with key milestones leading up to 2030.
Ultrasonic transducers
Eight vessels are equipped with HASYTEC’s Dynamic Biofilm Protection Intelligent ultrasonic transducers to keep their propellers and sea water cooling system free of marine growth and biofouling. This also helps to reduce bunker fuel consumption. BW Epic Kosan plans to fit these on 10 more vessels in 2025.
Each single transducer measures the impact of its installation environment. This includes factors such as the temperature, the material composition and thickness, and the viscosity and temperature of the medium. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the transducer dynamically adjusts the ultrasonic sound waves it generates to adapt to the ever-changing environmental conditions.
These transducers produce ultrasonic sound waves which create resonance vibrations in the propeller blades, protecting the blade surface from biofouling. Ultrasonic transducers are also being used to keep sea chests clean. Annual bunker savings of approximately 1% are expected.
XGIT-Prop coating for propeller
The propellers of our vessels are coated with a graphene-based hard fouling release biocide-free coating that will improve the propulsive efficiency and protect the propellers from biofouling. This coating eliminates chances of discharging any biotoxins, silicon oils or microplastics into the sea, and helps in reducing underwater radiated noise. Annual bunker savings of around 2% per vessel are expected. BW Epic Kosan plans to coat the propeller of eight more vessels in 2025.
XGIT-Fuel coating for hull
Two vessels have zero-biocide hard foul-release coating applied on the vertical side of the hull and flat bottom. This coating decreases the friction experienced by the hull, reducing the drag through water. These coatings are highly durable, and do not leach any biocides or silicone oils into sea. The coatings also reduce underwater radiated noise by the vessel. Annual bunker savings of more than 5% per vessel are expected.
Emerson Frugal SmartPropulsion
One CPP propeller-fitted vessel has been retrofitted with the Emerson Frugal SmartPropulsion system. This system integrates with the propulsion control to regulate the pitch and RPM of the propeller, ensuring constant power and speed over ground, while optimising specific fuel consumption. Powered by artificial intelligence, the dynamic adjustment of pitch and RPM of the propeller enables continuous real-time optimisation. The SmartPropulsion system is expected to deliver annual savings of 7–8%. Plans are in place to install this system on two more vessels in 2025.
Hull grooming robot
Two vessels are equipped with hull grooming robots from Aliciabots. Both vessels have zero-biocide, hard foul-release coatings that require regular maintenance to manage biofouling. The robots can be operated either by the ship’s crew or remotely by the Aliciabots team. This innovative solution helps prevent increased fuel consumption caused by biofouling and reduces the harmful impact on ocean biodiversity.
Frese FUELSAVE
One vessel has been retrofitted with the Frese FUELSAVE system for its engine cooling water system. This solution uses a combination of variable frequency drive motors for sea water cooling pumps and Low Temperature Fresh Water-Cooling pumps, with flow control valves. The superior flow management system uses well-proven differential pressure control and balancing, creating a simple yet highly energy-efficient cooling water system. The system is expected to deliver annual bunker savings of 4–5%. Plans are underway to fit this system on three more vessels in 2025.
Contracted loaded tip (‘CLT’) propellers with advanced propeller boss cap fins (‘PBCF’)
Two vessels are retrofitted with contracted loaded tip propellers and advanced propeller boss cap fins to improve their propulsive efficiency. The CLT propeller reduces the tip vortex, and the advanced PBCF reduces the hub vortex downstream of the propeller. Moreover, the under pressure on the suction side caused by a CLT propeller is lower than an equivalent conventional propeller, while the overpressure on the downstream side is much higher. The expected bunker savings is 6–7% per annum per vessel. There are plans to fit them on two more vessels in 2025.
Silicone paints
BW Epic Kosan uses ultra-premium soft-fouling release silicone paints from Hempel for the hull coating of most of their vessels. As a result, their vessels experience reduced frictional resistance at sea, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5–6%. Furthermore, silicone paints prevent marine organisms from growing on vessel surfaces due to their smooth foul-release surface properties — unlike the toxic chemicals from biocidal paints, which could have adverse impacts on marine life.
High-frequency data
IoT sensors fitted on BW Epic Kosan ships provide high-frequency data for optimised hull performance management, engine fuel consumption optimisation and for emissions management.
Weather routing and voyage prognoses
In addition to the retrofits mentioned thus far, weather routing and voyage optimisation are performed for all our vessels to optimise vessel efficiency. Third-party software is also used by operators and ship staff.
Future plans
BW Epic Kosan will continue with their strategy of using ultra-premium hull coatings, and retrofitting more energy saving and propulsion improvement devices to make their vessels more energy-efficient.
- Ultra-premium coatings.
- Propulsion improvement devices like CLT propeller with PBCF and Mewis ducts.
- ‘Hull grooming’ robots.
- Ultrasonic transducer for prevention of biofouling of sea water cooling system and propeller.
- ‘Frese FUELSAVE’ system.
- ‘Emerson Frugal SmartPropulsion’ system.
- Wind Assisted Propulsion System — BW Epic Kosan plans to retrofit a suction sail on one of their vessels. The system is estimated to help the vessel in saving 5–10% of sailing fuel consumption, depending upon expected route.
- Biofuel — BW Epic Kosan also plans to start using biofuel blends for some vessels.