James Fisher is still revealing no new details of its proposed plan to add two dual-fuelled tankers to its fleet.

The London-listed shipowner and marine services group indicated back in March that it would seek to cut emissions by introducing the LNG-fuelled vessels to its coastal product carrier portfolio.

The vessels, built to IMO type 2 chemical handling standards, will arrive in 2022.

This indicates the owner is either designing and ordering its own vessels, or chartering in someone else's newbuildings.

But the company has not responded to TradeWinds' calls and emails seeking further details on the plan and its progress.

Pioneering move

What is known is that the vessels will be traded by tanker unit James Fisher Everard (JFE) alongside the existing fleet.

The company said the ships will be the "first clean product tankers of this size" to be dual-fuelled.

However, the size has not been disclosed.

JFE operates 16 tankers ranging from 3,000 dwt to 35,000 dwt. Two of these were built in the 1990s, while the newest were delivered in 2013.

The new ships are being specifically designed for ports with restricted access around the coastline of northern Europe.

The company has said this will enable JFE to better service existing long-term contracts, while the IMO 2 notation will provide greater flexibility to respond to market demand.

Fisher has promised that the tankers will incorporate innovations in construction technology to further enhance hydrodynamic performance.

Emissions-saving

Fisher pointed to a study on the impact on the use of LNG by The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel.

This predicts that a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 21% is possible over the entire vessel lifecycle, compared with existing marine bunkers.

The company has a long history, spanning more than 170 years, of being early adopters of new technology.

This goes as far back as switching from sail to steam in 1833, and then motor propulsion early in the last century.

"The first adoption of LNG as a cleaner alternative to conventional-oil based propulsion fuels in this class of vessel continues the entrepreneurial spirit of James Fisher, and demonstrates the company’s commitment to its stakeholders and the environment," the company said.

Chief executive Eoghan O'Lionaird has previously said he is proud that JFE is taking action now to support customers, the maritime industry and the wider Fisher group in achieving collective sustainability goals.

"James Fisher is committed to protecting the environment, both in terms of our operational footprint and the nature of the activities we undertake," he said.