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US DOE releases Request for Information on defining sustainable bunker fuels

RFI will help establish a consistent and reliable definition for sustainable maritime fuel that informs and aligns community, industry, governments, and other maritime stakeholders.

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently released a Request for Information (RFI) to establish a consistent and reliable definition for sustainable maritime fuel (SMF) that informs and aligns community, industry, governments, and other maritime stakeholders. 

The RFI will also seek specific feedback on other topics that could affect what qualifies as a SMF including; minimum carbon intensity reductions, sustainability factors, criteria air pollutant inclusion, acceptable feedstocks, global requirements, and emission reduction technologies.

The Action Plan for Maritime Energy and Emissions Innovation (Action Plan), a summary of which was released in December 2024, builds on the 2023 U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonisation to define actions that aim to achieve a clean, safe, accessible and affordable U.S. maritime transportation system. 

The Action Plan calls for the federal government to define “Sustainable Maritime Fuel,” which is critical to evaluating and determining future SMF production volume goals in the Action Plan and alternative fuels that align with the U.S. 2050 net emission goals.

“The global maritime sector is pursuing sustainable maritime fuels. The United States is well positioned to be a global leader in producing, distributing, and selling these sustainable fuels that can provide more affordable options to the market,” said Michael Berube, deputy assistant secretary for sustainable transportation and fuels, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

“This Request for Information will help align the industry around common definitions, enabling broader adoption across the economy.”

The US maritime sector connects virtually every aspect of American life—from our clothes and food, to our cars, and the oil and natural gas used to heat and cool homes. About 99% of U.S. overseas trade enters or leaves the United States by ship. This waterborne cargo and associated activity contribute more than USD 500 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product and sustain over 10 million U.S. jobs. However, the Action Plan estimates the total amount of greenhouse (GHG) emissions from fuel sold in the United States for use in maritime applications accounts for 4% of the U.S. transportation sector’s GHG emissions.

Replacing traditional fuels with SMFs is the quickest strategy to reduce GHG emissions from the maritime sector. Depending on the primary feedstock of sustainable fuels, GHG emissions can be reduced by at least 50% (e.g. using biomass) and up to over 100% (e.g. using waste). 

While drop-in fuel replacement solutions are currently being developed, the maritime industry cannot rely solely on these replacements. Vessels must look towards alternative energy sources such as clean methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, electrification, and efficiency improvements as the industry moves towards zero- and near zero-emission fuels.

Note: Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word (.docx) attachment, to [email protected], no later than 5pm Eastern Time on 28 February, 2025. Learn more about how to respond to this important RFI. 

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 3 January, 2025

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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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July 21, 2026

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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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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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July 21, 2026

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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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