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Alternative Fuels

DNV: Alternative bunker fuels and new technologies among highlights of IMO MSC 110

A review of regulatory safety barriers to alternative fuels and new technologies was concluded and measures to address those barriers were initiated at the 110th session.

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IMO

Classification society DNV on Saturday (28 June) shared highlights of the 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110). 

The following is an excerpt from the news update which are bunker-related: 

The 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) was held from 18 to 27 June 2025. The session adopted SOLAS amendments to improve the safety of transfer arrangements for pilots and other personnel embarking and disembarking ships, and made significant progress on a new non-mandatory code of safety for autonomous ships (MASS Code). A re- view of regulatory safety barriers to alternative fuels and new technologies was concluded and measures to address those barriers were initiated, aiming to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships from a safety perspective.

Meeting highlights

  • Adopted amendments to SOLAS Chapter V and the associated new Performance Standards to improve pilot transfer safety
  • Approved draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to include remote inspection techniques (RITs) for close-up surveys
  • Approved a 2025 Code on Alerts and Indicators
  • Approved a revision of Resolution A.1050(27) “Revised Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships”
  • Approved guidelines to support the introduction of emergency towing requirements on ships other than tankers
  • Approved generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies
  • Agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 to clarify the IGF Code application to all gaseous fuels, regardless of flashpoint
  • Initiated measures to address identified regulatory barriers that may prevent the use of alternative fuels and new tech- nologies, including updating the Code of Safety of Nuclear Merchant Ships
  • Progressed the non-mandatory Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code)
  • Invited PSC authorities to adopt a pragmatic approach to the inspection of escape arrangements from machinery spaces while the Committee reviews the clarity of the current regulations

IGF Code – ships using gaseous fuels

MSC 110 agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 to clarify that the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) applies to ships using gaseous fuels, whether they are low-flashpoint or not. A new definition of “gaseous fuels” was introduced accordingly.

Consequential draft amendments to the IGF Code were agreed accordingly, including draft amendments to the definition of “low-flashpoint fuels”.

The draft amendments to SOLAS and the IGF Code are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2028, subject to approval by MSC 111 (May 2026) and adoption by MSC 112 (December 2026).

The “one ship, one code” policy

The “one ship, one code” policy is a principle that a ship should be subject to only one safety code for gases or low- flashpoint liquids: either the IGC Code or the IGF Code. The intention is to apply one consistent safety philosophy and to avoid unintentional consequences that could arise from selecting requirements from various codes.

MSC 110 agreed that the policy should continue to apply for IGC Code ships using cargo included in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code as fuel, and that application guidelines should be developed for low-flashpoint fuels, other than the products listed in Chapter 19 of the IGC Code, used on gas carriers.

Draft amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-1/56 to capture the agreed principles, and the related application guidelines, will be considered at MSC 111 (May 2026).

New technologies and alternative fuels

MSC 110 concluded its consideration of potential alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships from a safety perspective. The intention is to identify safety obstacles, barriers and gaps in the current IMO instruments that may impede the use of the various alternative fuels and new technologies.

Recommendations to address the identified barriers and gaps for alternative fuels and new technologies were assigned to the relevant Sub-Committees. The extensive list of fuels and technologies to be considered include:

  • Updating the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships to account for advances in technology that have occurred since the code initially came into force (SDC)
  • On-board carbon capture and storage (CCC)
  • Battery energy storage systems (SSE)

Human element, training and watchkeeping

Training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels MSC 110 approved generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping (STCW.7/Circ.25).

 

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 30 June, 2025

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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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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