Connect with us

Business

Geospock: Mapping maritime’s journey to zero-carbon with big data

‘Maritime has the opportunity to tackle sustainability by embracing data and developing a hub for maritime intelligence,’ says Maritime Business Development Manager.
Admin

Published

6 years ago

on

Mark Porter

Spatial big data platform company Geospock on Tuesday (3 March) published an article analysing the relevance of geospatial data in providing the shipping industry with clarity to curb emissions; it was written by Mark Porter, Maritime Business Development Manager:

More than any other sector, transport is under pressure to boost efficiency and cut emissions. In Singapore, the main sources of air pollution are emissions from the industries and motor vehicles 1.While attention has focused on the automotive and aviation industries, the maritime sector is gaining attention for contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore is urging the shipping industry to use cleaner fuels in a bid to reduce the city state’s carbon emissions.

Shipping is one of the world’s most polluting industries and Singapore is the busiest port in the world in terms of shipping tonnage, with more than 130,000 vessel calls annually. Globally, more than 90,000 ships journeyed across oceans last year, burning nearly two billion barrels of heavy fuels. If left unchecked, maritime pollution could produce 17 per cent of all emissions by 2050.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has already introduced IMO 2020, a new regulation aimed at reducing sulphur emissions and introducing cleaner fuels. Now, with Singapore aiming to become more resilient and sustainable, efforts are made to decarbonise the maritime sector – something which will take unparalleled collaboration and innovation to achieve.

A Race Against Time

Unfortunately, technology that allows vessels to run entirely off renewable energy does not yet exist and is unlikely to be developed and implemented by 2050. Ships are hugely capital-intensive with a typical life span of 25-30 years. To deliver on ambitious climate targets, zero-emission vessels will need to enter the fleet by 2030. That means there is just ten years to develop the fuels, technologies and infrastructures to meet the 2050 target.

With the maritime industry in a race against time, the focus needs to be on how to reduce emission levels through innovative action that can have a transformative impact on the image of the industry. There are highly progressive pioneers in the maritime industry who are already investing in the fuels and digital technologies of tomorrow. For example, when ships go under the Rotterdam bridge in the Netherlands, sensors detect and report emissions. GeoSpock, in partnership with the Baltic Exchange, is developing the world’s most advanced maritime database, aiming to centralise information and revolutionise the industry. Others are simply dipping a toe in the water while keeping a close eye on profits.

However, the introduction of the Poseidon Principle will provide an incentive for shipping firms that are relying on finance from banks to demonstrate their eco commitment.

A change in Maritime Financing: The Poseidon Principle

Driven by public and employee sentiment, financial markets are changing, with banks assessing their clients’ environmental, social impact.

Announced at this year’s Global Maritime Forum, the Poseidon Principle aims to link finance availability with emissions, limiting lending to high or inefficient emitters and making funding more readily available to those that can prove they have a low emissions footprint. It’s currently made up of European banks and represents 20 per cent of the maritime funding market.

Clearly there is no overnight fix, but Poseidon forces the industry to take the environmental challenge seriously and consider its consequences. Money will, theoretically at least, start to flow more freely to those making environmentally friendly decisions. For the first time, banks will be able to measure the sustainability of their maritime stock. They will be able to track sustainability changes over time and end associations with those that aren’t acting.

Technological Innovation: Geospatial Data

To continue accessing finance, it’s time for shipping builders and managers to ask themselves: What are the most proactive steps we can take to improve efficiency? What are the implications if we do Nothing?

Demonstrating compliance with the Poseidon Principle will mandate shipping companies to use the vast hordes of data being created to provide transparency into current emission levels and use this insight to demonstrate how they will continue to reduce their carbon footprint. Gathering and monitoring maritime data is the most effective first step in curbing emissions. The next step is finding the means to ingest, analyse, report and optimise journey and fuel usage based on the information available.

Maritime has the opportunity to tackle sustainability by embracing data and developing a hub for maritime intelligence. Only then can it understand emissions and tackle them as effectively as possible. By combining location, fuel and emissions data from ships, companies, ports and governments then it’s possible to deliver real-time visibility into operations and decide what works and plan accordingly. For the first time, these often conflicting entities, all have the ability to conclusively prove and improve efficiency, cutting emissions and saving money.

The Future

Above the obvious, Poseidon has a number of equally important benefits. Firstly, it aims to create a standardised metric for emissions – measuring intensity, design and use to generate an overall picture of emissions over time.

Secondly, the principle understands the fundamental flaw of the industry – notably, that the journey to zero-emission must be based around driving efficiency and optimisation. An overnight fix in shipping simply does not exist, and even if it did, it would take 30 years to implement. The industry must seek to create incentives and technologies that can improve efficiency today, as well as tomorrow.

The only way to overhaul the industry and meet the challenge ahead is to move as a collective. All agencies must invest in innovation and look to incentivise change. The next step is a centralised big data platform that creates a picture of shipping movements, optimises routes, identifies pollutant activities and areas, and crucially proves the effectiveness of changes. Ultimately, maritime needs facts to act and it needs to be focused on a singular goal.


Photo credit: Geospock
Published: 5 March, 2020

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.
Admin

Published

23 hours ago

on

July 22, 2026

By

RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
Admin

Published

23 hours ago

on

July 22, 2026

By

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
Admin

Published

23 hours ago

on

July 22, 2026

By

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending