Last month we launched our ECA calculator  – a useful tool for operators trying to calculate their options. But it is interesting to monitor the perspectives of different players as we wrestle with the fuels/switchover/abatement options spectrum of possibilities. This appears to be further confirmation of our view that it’s going to be ‘horses for courses’. Choice of fuels and approaches to fuel management will vary depending on the operational profile of the company; worldwide trading tanker owners will have a different perspective to an ECA trading ferry owner.

But it is clear that the industry remains shaped by a one size fits all approach and it comes as no surprise that some might prefer a straight switch from HFO to distillates or others can’t, for example, see why LNG is not the first choice. As a classification society we see our responsibility as providing the facts to the industry, rather than advocacting solutions – particularly as, ultimately, fuel price, operability and regulations will determine choice.

As a classification society it’s not our job to try and predict what the price of fuel will be.

The cost of energy has risen. If there is an additional price on carbon emissions then the price of the energy from carbon based fuels will only rise further. So, even if overall energy prices continue to rise, as is the current expectation, relative differences will become important. But who is to say what will look attractive – and beauty will be in the eye of the beholder, as might be the case with consideration of scrubbers. What looks like a good option to a Baltic ropax trader could look crazy to the deep sea tanker owner. But that doesn’t mean that either is wrong.

We are focusing on working to understand as many options as possible, which is why you can come to us and talk about a wide range of fuels, rather than just one or two options. Take a look at a blog about methanol from my FOBAS colleague Tim Wilson where he talks about the potential for methanol as a marine fuel – but that doesn’t mean he is pushing it. He’s just trying to throw light on the options, safety and practical issues. Last week at Green Ship Technology Tim’s FOBAS colleague Andy Wright talked about the potential for changing acceptable flashpoints for marine fuels and he is just as comfortable talking about a variety of fuel types, fuel quality and fuel management issues.

Likewise, you can talk to us now (or whenever you are ready) about bio-fuels, distillates, LNG as fuel (including, but also well beyond, use in small coastal ferries), batteries, hybrid systems as well as abatement systems and nuclear. We need to know about all of these and their safety, operability and technology implications. Our Global Technology Leaders and Strategic Research Group have a broad, unrestricted agenda. www.lr.org/futurefuels

But I hope that we’re not going to tell you what the future price of fuel will be. No one has ever got that right.