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Alternatives to Fuel: Exploring the Possibilities

For centuries, the maritime industry has played a crucial role in global trade and the economy. Ships are the lifeline of international trade routes, but they also come with challenges, especially concerning fuels and environmental impacts. Nowadays, sustainability is almost a gi…

Published
28 January 2025

For centuries, the maritime industry has played a crucial role in global trade and the economy. Ships are the lifeline of international trade routes, but they also come with challenges, especially concerning fuels and environmental impacts. Nowadays, sustainability is almost a given factor in ship design.

Fossil fuels

For a long time, fossil fuels such as heavy fuel oil and diesel were the preferred choice for shipping. They were cheap and reasonably efficient, but they also brought significant drawbacks, including high CO2 emissions, air pollution, and the risks of oil spills. In the long term, these fuels are not sustainable, and something had to change to reduce the maritime industry’s impact on the environment.

Combustion engine or electric motor?

At DEKC Maritime, we always strive for the most economical solution, and sustainability is an intrinsic concern for us. However, the future of maritime fuel is highly dynamic, with continuous work on new and sustainable solutions. How these fuels will power future ships is also a big question: can we continue to use combustion engines coupled directly to a propeller (the most efficient option), or will we need to shift to an electric propulsion system (the most flexible option)?

Green hydrogen

When considering truly green fuels, everything starts with hydrogen. Hydrogen can be made directly from water and electricity: this means that if the electricity is generated from renewable sources (such as wind, solar, hydro, or geothermal), green hydrogen is carbon zero. However, hydrogen is very difficult to store for longer periods of time and it is highly flammable. Therefore, it is not ideal as a fuel for cargo ships.

Methane and methanol

Two alternatives to hydrogen are methane and methanol. In essence, methane is the same thing as LNG (liquid natural gas), which is a fossil fuel already in use in many ships. It is possible to produce methane using hydrogen and CO2, so if green hydrogen and renewable electricity is used in its production it is a carbon neutral fuel. Storage is still tricky with methane, as it must be stored in cooled and pressurized tanks. Methanol is a further step down the line, which can be made from hydrogen or methane. It is much easier to store in a ship but is toxic to humans. Furthermore, like hydrogen, both methane and methanol are still highly flammable.

The role of regulation

In the pursuit of sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels, the role of regulation and collaboration cannot be underestimated. Governments worldwide are recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change and are implementing stricter regulations on emissions and fuel consumption for the maritime industry. These regulations are spurring innovation and encouraging shipbuilders and operators to explore greener options.

Inherently more efficient

At DEKC Maritime, we have developed various concepts related to alternatives to fossil fuels. However, we have not applied them yet, as the market direction is still uncertain. This made us think: how can we design a vessel to be as flexible as possible, capable of sailing regardless of the fuel choice? Thus, we focus on making the design inherently more efficient. We concentrate on the fundamentals, something that benefits everyone involved, such as streamlined ships and steel sails.

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DEKC Maritime · October 2026

Some milestones are simply too special to let go unnoticed. And this is definitely one of them! Our colleague Gerhard Venema is celebrating an incredible 40 years at DEKC Maritime! 🥳 Four decades of shaping ships, perfecting lines and making sure every curve is just right. As a Fairing Engineer, Gerhard knows his craft inside out. And that's an understatement! He works with dedication, precision and above all: pure craftsmanship! Gerhard, congratulations on this fantastic milestone! We're incredibly proud to have you on board! 👏 Cheers to 40 years! 🥂

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DEKC Maritime · October 2026

We’re lucky to get along just as well outside working hours as we do in the office. 😉 Some colleagues head to the pub together, while others prefer to challenge each other through sports. With a team running event coming up soon, we thought our running skills could use a little extra attention. So we organised a running clinic with Wout Schaart from Loophart. On a sunny evening in Groningen’s Stadspark, we worked on our technique, pace and, of course, put in a few kilometres together. The interval tag game at the end was especially fun. Our jobs may require plenty of focus and concentration, but luckily, we haven’t lost our playful side. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

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DEKC Maritime · October 2026

This week, we welcomed student association Studievereniging Navigo Ergo Sum "Sv NES". No fewer than 40 first- and second-year Maritime Engineering students from NHL Stenden Hogeschool joined us: our future maritime colleagues, business partners and clients.   Rick Brinkman kicked off with the strength of series shipbuilding at Shipyard Ferus Smit - Improvement as tradition: building efficiently through continuous optimisation, followed by an introduction to Groot Ship Design and their expertise in designing efficient and well-considered cargo vessels. Theodoor de Jonge then explained how DEKC Maritime translates complex maritime challenges into smart, practical engineering solutions.   After a tasty lunch, we headed out to the shipyard together. There is nothing quite like seeing the shipbuilding process up close and getting a tour on board the Arklow Dale.   Martin de Roosz then shared the craftsmanship behind the hatch covers and cranes of Coops & Nieborg. We ended the afternoon with an interactive session. Menno Beenes and Arthur Schout from FerroIT B.V. showed how the latest digital developments in shipbuilding can be made instantly visible and immersive in 3D and VR. With a well-written prompt, the students could immediately start experimenting themselves. And what did they come up with? A beer bar on board, of course. 🍻😉

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DEKC Maritime · September 2026

We recently became a sponsor of Waterskiclub Paterswoldsemeer WSCP in Groningen. Our connection with the club comes through our IT Manager Jan Willem de Vries, who has been involved with WSCP for many years.   We like to support local clubs and associations that are connected to the interests of our colleagues. In this case, that means a contribution to a club where sport, fun and time on the water come together. We are already looking forward to getting our own colleagues on waterskis during one of our next company outings. Jan Willem will probably enjoy that just as much from behind the wheel of the boat, making sure his colleagues do not get too easy a ride 😉 For now, we wish everyone at WSCP a great season and plenty of enjoyable days on the water.

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Alternatives to Fuel: Exploring the Possibilities | DEKC Maritime