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Alternative Fuels

Columbia Group CEO calls for a ‘reality check’ on alternative bunker fuels

Mark O’Neil says the reality of alternative fuels being widely adopted is a lot further away than originally anticipated and urges industry to slow down in its urgency in ensuring all crew members are fully trained.
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Columbia Group CEO calls for a ‘reality check’ on alternative bunker fuels

The CEO and President of Columbia Group called for a reality check when it comes to the widespread adoption of alternative fuels during the London International Shipping Week, according to a statement released on Friday (26 September). 

Mark O’Neil suggested that the ‘runway for widespread adoption of alternative fuels is much longer and much more narrow than anyone anticipated’ and he urged the industry to slow down in its urgency in ensuring all crew members are fully trained.

During LISW25’s inaugural series of London Talks sessions held at the Global Hub, Mr O’Neil joined the panel to discuss how Safety Management Systems must evolve to ensure safe, reliable operations in the era of alternative fuels.

While Columbia Group is wholly committed to realistic and achievable decarbonisation of marine fuels, Mr O’Neil echoed sentiments expressed earlier in the week that the reality of alternative fuels being widely adopted is a lot further away than originally anticipated. 

He said: “At an earlier event this week I was perhaps a lone voice in calling for a reality check in relation to the adoption of alternative fuels. When I got back to the hotel I saw that ABS had said the runway for the widespread adoption of alternative fuels would be much longer than anticipated, I would warrant that not only will it be a much longer runway but also a far more narrow runway than we all thought a few months or years ago.

“The reason I called for a reality check was that it was quite rightly pointed out that the number of vessels that are alternative fuel-capable in itself is quite a large number. But that doesn’t mean those vessels are ready to burn alternative fuels.”

“The other aspect of this reality check is do we believe the world is ready to invest considerable sums of money in the scalability needed to provide shipping, and other industries, with alternative fuels? There are huge geopolitical tensions at the moment and there are huge financial constraints throughout Europe. With those financial constraints come different priorities on money – there is a toss up in setting up the infrastructure surrounding alternative fuels or focusing on the social policies. Those governments must decide what is more important and I would warrant it would be social policies.”

Mr O’Neil said he believed that alternative fuels would arrive in more gradually so there was no urgency at Columbia Group to ensure all seafarers were ready for the transition in terms of training.

He added“ The question of what is Columbia Group doing to be ready? I say we are ready – but we are realistically ready. We don’t need thousands of crews in our crewing pool with alternative fuel training because the reality is that if alternative fuel ships do come in they will come more gradually – and the majority of dual fuel vessels or methanol or ammonia ready will probably never burn those alternative fuels.”

Related: IMO needs to take a ‘timeout’ and rethink Net-Zero Framework, says ABS Chairman and CEO

 

Photo credit: Columbia Group
Published: 29 September, 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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