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Alternative Fuels

SEA-LNG analysis shows LNG extending CII compliance far ahead of oil-based bunker fuels

Analysis compared emissions for two identical 180k dwt Capesize vessels, one using conventional, oil-based marine fuels the other using LNG as a marine fuel.
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LNG pathway a long term response to CII game changer says SEA LNG

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) is set to shake up the vessel efficiency and emissions clauses in the charter party agreements from 2022 onwards, according to multi-sector marine fuel coalition SEA-LNG.

However, analysis has found LNG-fuelled vessels will be able to continue operating as normal under the system until after 2030, while fossil LNG blended with bioLNG and renewable synthetic LNG will further extend compliance to 2050 and beyond, said SEA-LNG on Friday (11 February).

The analysis compared emissions for two identical 180k DWT Capesize vessels, one using conventional, oil-based marine fuels the other using LNG as a marine fuel. The results showed that the LNG-fuelled vessel immediately rated two grades higher than the conventionally fuelled vessel. LNG can be the difference between having a ‘moderate’ C-rated ship and having a ‘major superior’ A-rated ship on the IMO’s CII scale.

The IMO are encouraging port authorities, governments and other stakeholders to offer incentives for ships with major superior A or superior B ratings. Meanwhile, leading cargo owners and charterers have recently strongly advocated the use of A or B rated vessels in their supply chains. The superior ratings that LNG can offer, provide a powerful competitive advantage to ship owners.

LNG-fuelled vessels can also gain improved carbon intensity ratings by adopting drop-in carbon-neutral bioLNG in the short to medium term, or zero-carbon renewable synthetic LNG in the longer term. For example, the analysis showed that for every 10% increase in the content of these fuels in a blend with traditional LNG, the vessel gains two-years of additional compliance.

By using bioLNG and renewable synthetic LNG, a vessel commissioned yesterday, today and in the future can retain a favourable CII rating as major superior A or superior B throughout its lifetime.

“Clearly, LNG will offer a competitive advantage to ship owners and operators as charterers prefer engaging the higher-performing A and B rated vessels necessary to meet their own GHG emission reduction commitments,” commented John Hatley, SEA-LNG Investment Committee Chairman.

“Adding bio-LNG or renewable synthetic LNG, both fully interchangeable with fossil LNG in LNG-fuelled vessels and bunkering infrastructure, will enable maintenance of this advantageous rating level over the life of the vessel and ensure that owners are not left with stranded assets.”

CII is a gauge of how efficiently all ships transport cargo measured in grams of CO2 emitted per deadweight ton capacity and nautical mile. Coming into effect in 2023, vessel operators will be required to provide a baseline performance and receive initial ratings in 2024.

CII thresholds will tighten annually, requiring operators to document vessel performance and demonstrate it has achieved the required threshold for the year. A ship’s carbon intensity rating, on an A-E scale will be officially recorded in the vessel’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).

In calculating the impact on CII grades of a change of fuel from HFO to LNG, SEA-LNG used a figure of 20% to represent likely emissions reductions across the broad range of vessel performance. This saving figure is derived from the 2nd Lifecycle GHG Emissions study by Sphera, which indicates that LNG-fuelled vessels are capable of achieving a reduction in their carbon footprint of as much as 30% on a tank-to-wake basis, when compared with an otherwise identical conventionally fuelled ship.

  • The IMO’s CII definition is available here.
  • Sphera’s 2nd Lifecycle GHG Emissions study is available here.

 

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 11 February, 2022

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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July 20, 2026

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.
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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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