EURO 2025 Leeds
Abstract Submission

1645. At-Sea Refueling Solution for Transitioning Deep-Sea Fishing to Green Fuels

Invited abstract in session MD-32: Low- and zero-emission solutions for maritime operations-1, stream Maritime and Port Logistics.

Monday, 14:30-16:00
Room: Maurice Keyworth 1.09

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Mohamed Kais Msakni
Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, NTNU
2. Peter Schütz
Dept. of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, NTNU
3. Johanne Dobbe Flemmen
NTNU
4. Daniel Kielland
NTNU
5. Simen Busengdal
NTNU

Abstract

The transition to low- and zero-emission fuels poses a significant challenge for deep-sea fishing vessels, which operate far from shore for extended durations. These vessels currently depend on high-energy density fuels such as Marine Gas Oil (MGO), whereas alternative green fuels like hydrogen and ammonia have significantly lower energy densities, limiting operational range. To address this challenge, this paper explores the feasibility of an innovative at-sea refueling system using a fleet of bunkering vessels to maintain uninterrupted fishing operations. The problem is modeled as a mixed-integer programming formulation using a time-space network representation. The model determines the required number of bunkering vessels, their routes, and refueling schedules, ensuring that neither bunkering nor fishing vessels run out of fuel at any time during the planning horizon. Moreover, the model ensures synchronization between bunkering and fishing vessels, allowing refueling operations to take place at the same time and location. The computational study is applied to a case study of Norwegian deep-sea fishing operations, constructed using AIS tracking data from the Barents Sea, where the longest voyages occur. The results provide valuable insights into the viability of at-sea refueling under different fuel scenarios.

Keywords

Status: accepted

Back to the list of papers