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Argus Media: Korea unveils roadmap for net zero in shipping by 2050

Third area of focus under the roadmap is for South Korea to develop eco-friendly technology and expand infrastructure for future bunker fuels, according to Tng Yong Li.

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South Korea’s maritime ministry (Mof) has announced its strategy to decarbonise the shipping sector by 2050, with a focus on hastening the transition to what it terms as “eco-friendly” vessels.

The roadmap is a pre-emptive response to stricter decarbonisation regulations by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the international community, including Europe, Mof said on 14 February.

Mof expects the IMO in July to raise its international maritime carbon emission reduction target from 50pc to 100pc by 2050, in addition to more economic regulatory measures such as a carbon levy system. The 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee will be held over 3-7 July, and is expected to adopt the revised IMO Strategy for Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, according to the IMO.

Mof sees “significant ripple effects” stemming from the tighter regulations on the shipping industry, since charging a certain amount for each tonne of carbon emitted will directly raise transportation costs for shipping firms. This will consequently make it “inevitable” for firms to switch to carbon-neutral fuels in order to stay competitive.

The Mof has consequently laid out its four-point strategy to achieve carbon neutrality in the shipping sector by 2050, in what it describes as a first in Asia.

Going green with support

The country will first convert ships owned by national shipping companies into ships that use eco-friendly fuels.

The roadmap has earmarked 867 outward-bound domestic vessels weighing 5,000 gross tonnes or more, which are subject to international regulations such as those set by the IMO, for conversion to eco-friendly ships. South Korea also aims to convert 118 eco-friendly ships by 2030, including the preferential conversion of 60pc of its liner service in Europe and the Americas, in response to the EU’s regional regulations and introduction of its own carbon levy system.

South Korea aims to eventually replace all outward-bound domestic vessels with 100pc eco-friendly ships by 2050.

When building new ships, South Korea is planning to have dual-fuel engines that can utilise eco-friendly fuels such as e-methanol and LNG by 2030, and also aims to promote ammonia and hydrogen vessels.

These goals are in line with the previous “2030 Green Ship-K Promotion Strategy” that South Korea outlined in December 2020. The 2030 plan aimed to convert 15pc of South Korean-flagged ships, or 528 vessels out of 3,542, into greener ones. The government and public corporations are also required to build green vessels when replacing their old vessels.

Upon the successful implementation of the 2030 strategy, Mof forecasts that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2050 will be at 5.93mn t or half of the 11.81mn t in 2017. In the nearer term, Mof sees its strategy reducing particulate matter by 3,314t and GHG emissions by 4mn t by around 2030.

Secondly, the government will also provide support to encourage timely investment in the transition to eco-friendly fleets. The cost increase for domestic shipping lines is estimated at about 1.8 trillion South Korean won ($1.38bn) by 2030, as construction expenses rise because of the installation of expensive engines and fuel tanks for conversion to eco-friendly fuel ships. 

This is up by about 31pc compared to the cost of constructing conventional ships. Support from the government, public institutions, and the financial sector will be expanded so shipping firms “do not hesitate” to invest in building or converting eco-friendly ships, Mof said.

Public funds worth up to W4.5 trillion will be raised to provide loans through the financial sector, in addition to interest rate cuts for loans when building and operating eco-friendly ships. Measures to stimulate private ship investment will be prepared by the end of this year, such as issuing green bonds to support financing for shipbuilding.

A new fund worth up to W1 trillion will also be established to support eco-friendly vessel conversion in small- and medium-sized shipping companies.

Making way for future fuels

The third area of focus under the roadmap is for South Korea to develop eco-friendly technology and expand infrastructure for future fuels.

South Korea’s trade and industry ministry (Motie) and Mof will jointly promote the development of technologies for eco-friendly vessels in a project over 2022-31, with an investment of W254bn. The two ministries will also study integrated biofuel technology over 2023-24 to secure future fuel production technologies for ships, and will also consider the expansion of floating carbon-free fuel infrastructure.

The country will also expand port facilities to prepare for fuels such as e-methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. Legislation through the entire supply chain from production to storage to the sale and supply of bunker fuel will also be reviewed and improved.

Lastly, South Korea will establish carbon-free shipping routes and foster international co-operation. The country and the US launched a feasibility study in January to build a green shipping corridor between South Korea’s Busan and the US, according to Mof. Domestic shipowner Hyundai Merchant Marine recently ordered nine methanol-fuelled vessels, with potential plans to use the aforementioned shipping corridor.

Public and private sector investment in eco-friendly shipbuilding is expected to hit W8 trillion by 2030 and W71 trillion by 2050, according to Mof.

South Korea expects this transition to be “a new national growth engine in the era of carbon neutrality”, generating an economic value of W17 trillion by 2030, and W158 trillion by 2050.

By Tng Yong Li

 

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 23 February, 2023

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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”.

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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

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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.

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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

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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