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LNG Bunkering

DNV: Methane slip measurements to reduce reported GHG emissions

DNV outlines how direct methane emissions monitoring has the potential to positively impact a ship’s reported carbon footprint.
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Classification society DNV on Thursday (20 March) published a Technical and Regulatory News highlighting the benefits of direct methane emissions measurements, which has the the potential to improve a ship’s reported GHG emissions:

Methane slip, as based on standard factors, can account for up to 24% of GHG emissions from an LNG-fuelled vessel. As an alternative to using standard factors for the reporting of CO2 equivalents, direct methane emissions monitoring has the potential to positively impact a ship’s reported carbon footprint. Discover more in this news about how to improve your reported GHG emissions.

Background

LNG has become an increasingly vital fuel in the global maritime fuel mix. However, achieving complete combustion of LNG in current engines remains challenging. This incomplete combustion leads to the release of unburnt fuel, primarily methane, into the atmosphere – a phenomenon known as methane slip. Given that methane has over 25 times the global warming potential (GWP) of CO2, methane slip emissions significantly impact a vessel’s greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint.

Regulatory framework

EU regulations and IMO guidelines account for methane slip from LNG-fuelled engines by using standard factors. Table 1 shows the LNG standard correction factors as % of the mass of the fuel for three different engine types:

Considering the GWP of methane is 28 times that of CO2, these standard factors can result in methane slip contributing to up to 24% of the reported GHG emissions, which is accounted for in terms of CO2 equivalent.

Regulations allow for deviations from predefined standard factors if real figures can be certified by a direct emissions measurement.

In January 2025, a dedicated IMO Correspondence Group took a significant step towards standardizing the quantification of methane slip through direct measurement. They submitted their report for MEPC 83, which includes proposed draft guidelines for test bed and onboard measurements of methane emissions from marine diesel engines. These guidelines represent the first essential tool for reliably verifying methane slip measurements.

DNV expects that the draft guidelines will be adopted by the IMO at MEPC 83 ending on 11 April 2025.

Methane slip measurement support from DNV

DNV’s accredited emissions laboratory, Envilab, is staffed with highly qualified professionals offering to accurately identify your methane slip values. Our methane measurement service complies with the new IMO draft guidelines and can be performed on test beds or on-board ships. Results are documented in an official emissions report, certifying reduced methane slip factors for verification.

Benefits of methane slip measurements

Direct measurements of methane emissions offer significant advantages over standardized factors, especially when the standardized methane slip factor seems excessively high for a specific engine type or when methane abatement technologies are used to further treat exhaust emissions.

Although the total amount of methane slip might initially seem minor, it significantly impacts reported GHG emissions. Methane’s GWP over a 100-year timescale is 28 times higher than CO2, meaning even minor adjustments in methane emissions can substantially affect the reported CO2 equivalent. Figure 1 illustrates the potential impact of methane slip reduction for a propulsion engine, verified through direct measurements. The resulting benefits for carbon balance are comparable to other energy-saving measures.

Furthermore, the reported GHG equivalent emissions caused by methane can be almost entirely mitigated by applying methane catalysts. The reduction potential of methane catalysts can only be accurately verified through measurements of methane slip.

Recommendations

Consider methane slip measurements as part of your strategy:

It is recommended to evaluate whether the standard methane slip factors significantly differ from those of your installed engine. Collaborate with the engine designer to assess potential improvements for reducing methane slip.

Any deviations from the standard factors can be verified by measuring methane slip on board your ship. DNV provides support for these measurements.

 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 24 March, 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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Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO.
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July 21, 2026

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

20 July 2026

  • B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam
  • Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO
  • Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has narrowed by $50/mt over the past week to $64/mt, while its discount to VLSFO has widened by $83/mt to $105/mt.

B100 has become far more competitive against LSMGO in Rotterdam, with its discount widening by $180/mt over the past week to $541/mt, as a surge in conventional fuel prices left B100 broadly unchanged by comparison.

B100’s price has risen by $109/mt in Singapore, but its discount to LSMGO has still widened by $102/mt to $106/mt, as LSMGO surged by an even greater $211/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premium over VLSFO has widened by $35/mt to $201/mt for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, LNG has flipped to a $15/mt premium over VLSFO, from a $22/mt discount the prior week.

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to VLSFO in Rotterdam have narrowed by $50-52/mt to $203-396/mt over the past week. Against LSMGO, LBM discounts have widened by $45-47/mt to $639-833/mt, depending on engine type.

In Singapore, LNG is now $42/mt cheaper than LSMGO for vessels with Otto MS engines, and $134/mt cheaper for vessels with diesel SS engines.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Liquid fuels

HSFO and VLSFO prices in Rotterdam have jumped by $66/mt and $99/mt respectively over the past week, while LSMGO has surged by an even steeper $196/mt. A $9.69/bbl ($71/mt) rise in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $87.94/bbl ($645/mt), drove bunker prices sharply higher across the board.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA ports, with buyers advised to enquire about stems between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has risen by $16/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices were unchanged at €107.50/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s HSFO and VLSFO prices have risen by $130/mt and $132/mt respectively, while its LSMGO price has gained an even steeper $211/mt over the past week.

VLSFO availability in Singapore has been tight, with several suppliers reporting low stock levels. Recommended lead times have widened from 13–17 days last week to 14–19 days now.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have surged by $134-136/mt over the past week, while its LBM prices have climbed by $149-151/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have narrowed by $15/mt to $404-411/mt.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmarks have surged by $196-197/mt over the past week.

By Erik Hoffmann

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2026

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