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Alternative Fuels

Trafigura: Global South has huge potential to produce hydrogen-based bunker fuels

Whitepaper estimates Global South could produce almost 4,000 exajoules per year of competitively priced green hydrogen, against projected annual shipping demand of 20 to 40 exajoules.
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Commodity trading firm Trafigura Pte Ltd on Tuesday (23 May) published new research highlighting the vital role that hydrogen-based fuels will play in decarbonising shipping – and the enormous potential for countries in the ‘Global South’ to produce green ammonia and green methanol to satisfy growing global demand for these low-emission fuels.

The whitepaper titled ‘Charting a course to a greener future for shipping: Low-emission fuel supply and the opportunity for the Global South’ highlighted fuels of the future including hydrogen as a feedstock, methanol, ammonia and biofuels as well as Trafigura’s analysis on low-emission fuel supply production. 

“Our research estimates the ‘Global South’ could produce almost 4,000 exajoules per year of competitively priced green hydrogen, against projected annual shipping demand of 20 to 40 exajoules. This could provide developing countries with the chance to develop new export industries and create thousands of skilled jobs,” said Margaux Moore, co-author and Head of Energy Transition Research and Venture Investments at Trafigura. 

“It will, however, only be realised if the shipping industry can agree on ambitious decarbonisation targets and, crucially, implement a global price on carbon for marine fuels.”

According to the whitepaper, eletrofuels produced in the Global South could be two times more competitive than those produced in Europe. 

“At USD2.00 per kilogramme of green hydrogen, the estimated production costs of electrofuels in the Global South is approximately USD750 per tonne, whereas in Europe, with higher electricity prices, it would be closer to USD1,200 to USD1,500 per tonne,” it said. 

“Even at USD4.00 per kilogramme of green hydrogen, electrofuels produced in the Global South would still be 20 percent cheaper than electrofuels produced in Europe, where we assume a cost of USD5-6 per kilogramme for green hydrogen,” it said. 

The whitepaper used the term electrofuels to describe shipping fuels derived from green hydrogen, which is produced from electrolysis of water using renewable power. 

The paper also found that Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Oceania have the potential to produce up to 3,852 exajoules of renewable hydrogen, almost 100 times the amount required to decarbonise the shipping industry.

According to Trafigura’s internal research experts, the global demand for bunker fuel is expected to reach 290 million a year or around 5 million barrels of high sulphur fuel oil per day by 2030. 

The firm also expects methanol bunker demand to reach at least 3 to 4 million mt per year by 2027 taking into consideration the current order book for methanol dual-fuelled vessels according to its research. 

Trafigura said the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is in the process of revising its initial GHG strategy and 2023 presents an important window of opportunity to set a zero, or at minimum net zero, GHG emissions target by 2050, together with ambitious goals for 2030 and 2040. 

By agreeing and implementing demanding science-based decarbonisation targets in its revised GHG Strategy, the IMO can accelerate the development of low- and zero-emission fuels and establish global fuel standards, which together will attract the investment needed to overhaul the infrastructure of the global shipping industry and retrofit, or build, new ships at scale, the firm added. 

“Delaying action will only add to the eventual cost of decarbonisation. The IMO needs to decisively move forward to tackle the shipping industry’s emissions and start the journey to a sustainable and resilient future,” added Rasmus Bach Nielsen, Global Head of Fuel Decarbonisation at Trafigura and co-author of the whitepaper.

Note: The white paper titled ‘Charting a course to a greener future for shipping: Low-emission fuel supply and the opportunity for the Global South’ can be downloaded here.

 

Photo credit: Trafigura
Published: 24 May, 2023

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LNG Bunkering

Osaka Gas conducts Osaka Bay’s first STS LNG bunkering operation

Acting through Singapore-based marine fuel trading firm Integr8 Fuels, Osaka Gas supplied LNG bunker fuel to an LNG-fuelled PCTC operated by an overseas shipping company calling at the Port of Kobe.
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Osaka Gas conducts Osaka Bay’s first STS LNG bunkering operation

Japanese energy company Osaka Gas on Friday (4 September) said it has successfully completed the first-ever ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation in Osaka Bay, supplying LNG fuel to an LNG-fuelled PCTC.

The operation was conducted using SETO AZURE, an LNG bunkering vessel owned by Osaka Bay LNG Shipping Co Ltd, an affiliated company of Osaka Gas. 

Acting through Integr8 Fuels Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based marine fuel trading company, Osaka Gas supplied LNG fuel to an LNG-fuelled PCTC operated by an overseas shipping company calling at the Port of Kobe.

Ship-to-ship bunkering will help ensure a stable supply of LNG fuel in the Osaka Bay area and support the development of the Port of Kobe as a Carbon Neutral Port.

In addition to ship-to-ship bunkering, Osaka Gas provides LNG fuel through truck-to-ship bunkering and port-to-ship bunkering. With capability covering all three major LNG bunkering methods, Osaka Gas provides flexible and reliable LNG fuel supply services to meet customers’ diverse needs.

The company said LNG bunkering infrastructure in Japan remains insufficient, highlighting the need to establish a stable fuel supply network to support the wider adoption of LNG-fuelled vessels.

 

Photo credit: Osaka Gas
Published: 8 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

DNV at SMM: Yanmar Maritime awarded type approval for fuel cell system

Certification marked an important step in moving Yanmar’s maritime hydrogen fuel cell technology from successful domestic deployment toward broader commercial adoption in international markets.
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DNV at SMM: Yanmar Maritime awarded type approval for fuel cell system

Classification society DNV on Monday (7 September) said it awarded Yanmar Power Solutions Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings, type approval (TA) for its Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell System at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg last week. 

DNV said the certification marked an important step in moving Yanmar’s maritime hydrogen fuel cell technology from successful domestic deployment toward broader commercial adoption in international markets.

“This certification represents a significant milestone in the commercialization and global deployment of hydrogen fuel cell technology for marine applications,” the classification society said in a statement. 

The approval confirms that the GH-FC series complies with DNV’s industry leading rules and guidelines, enabling shipbuilders, system integrators, and vessel operators to adopt the technology with greater confidence and reduced certification burden for future projects.

Masaru Hirose, President and Representative Director of Yanmar Power Solutions Co Ltd, said: “Achieving DNV Type Approval represents a major milestone in our journey to bring hydrogen-powered solutions to the marine market. Building on our operational experience in Japan, we aim to support customers around the world in their transition to zero-emission operations and realize sustainable maritime transportation.”

Eric Tigelaar, Department Manager of Commercial Marine Department at Yanmar Europe, stated: “This certification strengthens our ability to support customers throughout Europe and beyond who are seeking practical pathways toward decarbonization. The GH-FC series combines easy installation, operational flexibility, modularity and environmental performance, making it an attractive solution for a wide range of vessel applications.”

Olaf Drews, Head of Engines & Pressurized Equipment, DNV Maritime, said: “We are very pleased to continue our cooperation with Yanmar and award them this latest Type Approval Award for their GH-FC series. Every step demonstrates the growing maturity of hydrogen fuel cell technology and continues to build confidence in the market and showcase its readiness for broader commercial applications. DNV is pleased to continue supporting innovative solutions that can help accelerate the transition toward zero-emission shipping.”

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 8 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

ORLEN and Port of Gdynia to explore LNG and bio-LNG bunkering in Poland

Cooperation will examine market demand, the potential scale of LNG and bioLNG bunkering, required infrastructure, operating conditions and the regulatory framework needed to support future services.
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ORLEN and Port of Gdynia to explore LNG and bio-LNG bunkering in Poland

Polish energy company ORLEN on Friday (4 September) said it has signed an agreement with Port of Gdynia Authority to assess the development of LNG and bioLNG bunkering services for marine vessels, as both organisations explore infrastructure and market solutions that could expand access to alternative fuels along the Polish coast.

The cooperation will examine market demand, the potential scale of LNG and bioLNG bunkering, required infrastructure, operating conditions and the regulatory framework needed to support future services.

One of the main areas under consideration will be waterside bunkering, including ship-to-ship operations, where fuel is transferred directly from a bunker vessel to another ship while in port.

Robert Soszyński, Vice President of the ORLEN Management Board for Operations, said the cooperation with the Port of Gdynia forms part of the Group’s broader fuel portfolio transformation through 2035.

Under ORLEN’s strategy, natural gas, including LNG, is expected to retain an important role as a transitional fuel supporting energy security and transport decarbonisation.

The company is seeking to strengthen capabilities across the full value chain, including fuel sourcing, logistics and final use.

At the same time, ORLEN is developing renewable fuel capabilities, including bioLNG, which the company sees as a potential route for reducing emissions in heavy-duty road transport and shipping.

Soszyński said ORLEN’s ambition is to work with ports not only as a fuel supplier but also as a partner in developing infrastructure and market conditions for alternative marine fuels in Poland and the wider region.

Piotr Gorzeński, CEO of the Port of Gdynia Authority, said the shipping industry’s energy transition is already changing the fuel and technology requirements faced by ports.

“Shipowners are increasingly examining ways to reduce emissions, while ports need to be capable of serving vessels using a wider range of propulsion technologies and fuels,” he said. 

The cooperation will include knowledge sharing and an assessment of requirements among shipowners and port users, particularly operators of scheduled ferry, container and ro-ro services.

ORLEN and the Port of Gdynia will also analyse bunkering models used at other European ports.

Among the options under review will be the suitability of ship-to-ship bunkering for larger vessels and the possibility of supplying fuel while ships are alongside the berth.

The partners will also examine whether bunkering could take place in parallel with cargo-handling operations.

 

Photo credit: ORLEN
Published: 8 September, 2026

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