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Alternative Fuels

Maersk adds ethanol to methanol in trial onboard dual-fuel containership

“Laura Maersk”, which became the world’s first container vessel to sail on methanol, is now testing a new mix of e-methanol and 10% ethanol, called the E10.

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Maersk adds ethanol to methanol in trial onboard dual-fuel containership

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) on Thursday (9 October) is testing a new fuel blend aboard its dual-fuel containership Laura Maersk, its vessel that has been running on methanol for the last three years. 

The vessel, which became the world’s first container vessel to sail on methanol, is now testing a new mix of e-methanol and 10% ethanol, called the E10. 

“The goal is to understand how ethanol performs in our dual-fuel engines and whether it can become part of our future fuel mix. We’re testing key parameters like ignition, combustion, lubricity, and emissions,” Maersk said in a social media post. 

Maersk said it is aware that reaching its climate targets requires exploring multiple technological and fuel pathways.

“The reason for blending it is to enlarge the availability and the sourcing pool for these dual-fuel vessels. But we have a number of things we would like to test out,” Peter Normark Sorensen, Senior Fuel Transition Manager at Maersk, explained.

“For instance, are there any differences between the standard methanol and the E10 in, say, the ignition quality? In the way the fuels are burning? Are there any differences or similarities of the corrosion on the lubricity? And, not the least, are the emissions different between the two fuels?”

The E10 delivered to Laura Maersk is expected to be consumed during the next 1 to 1.5 months. From there, Maersk will be able to decide how it can proceed to its next stage of these testings. 

Chris Chatterton, Maritime Advisor of Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF), praised Maersk on the initiative and said expanding the bunker fuel pool to include ethanol alongside methanol is a powerful step forward.

“Methanol dual-fuel vessels that can run on methanol and now optionally on ethanol, which is widely available and competitively priced, help de-risk the energy transition, improve flexibility, and accelerate the adoption of lower-carbon fuels,” he said. 

“Thank you for pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks for sustainable shipping and bunkering.”

In an exclusive interview with Manifold Times, Chatterton made his case on why ethanol should have a seat at the alternative bunker fuel table. 

Related: GCGF: Why ethanol deserves a seat at the alternative bunker fuels table

 

Photo credit: A.P. Moller – Maersk
Published: 13 October, 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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