ITOPF awards 2025 R&D funding to Arctic alternative fuels PhD project

ITOPF has announced the recipient of its 2025 Research and Development (R&D) Award as the PhD doctoral research project ALIVE (Arctic Life Impact Vulnerability Evaluation). This marked the first time since the award’s inception in 2012 that funding has been granted to support a PhD project.

The ALIVE project will examine the fate, behaviour and toxicity of alternative marine fuels under Arctic conditions. The research aims to improve understanding of how these fuels interact with sensitive Arctic marine environments, with a focus on developing biomarker tools for species of ecological and cultural importance in the region.

Particular attention will be given to water-accommodated fractions from low- and very low-sulphur fuel oils, marine diesel and biodiesel. The project will also establish species-specific toxicity thresholds and assess how vulnerability profiles vary seasonally in Arctic conditions.

This work is expected to provide valuable insights to inform spill response planning, environmental impact assessment and decision-making in high-latitude and cold environments, where operational challenges and ecological sensitivities are often heightened.

ITOPF highlighted the importance of advancing scientific understanding in this area, particularly as the maritime sector continues to explore alternative fuels and operations in polar regions.