Alternative Fuels

Study shows green ammonia could achieve cost parity with VLSFO and LNG bunker fuels

WinGD and Envision study reveal that under moderate global regulations, green ammonia could achieve cost parity with VLSFO and LNG at current prices, even before additional subsidies or rewards.

Published

3 months ago

March 23, 2026

Admin

Study shows green ammonia could achieve cost parity with VLSFO and LNG

Swiss marine engine developer WinGD and green technology company Envision on Thursday (19 March) have released a study analysing the operational costs of ships powered by renewable fuels.

The findings reveal that under moderate global regulations, green ammonia could achieve cost parity with VLSFO and LNG at current prices, even before additional subsidies or rewards associated with zero-emission fuels.

The study, an operating expenses illustration of green-fuelled vessels on the container and bulk trades between China and Australia, uses verified lifecycle emissions factors and current estimated bunkering pricing along the coast of China. By 2050, green ammonia is projected to outperform LNG on a cost basis, with a predicted 5-6% lower lifecycle operating cost.

Envision Energy Senior Vice President Frank Yu, said: “Through this joint study with WinGD, we have mapped a clear economic pathway for renewable fuels. By leveraging AI-driven optimisation at our Chifeng facility to harmonise renewable energy harvesting with fuel production, we have already reached a tipping point where green ammonia competes with VLSFO and LNG.

“Green ammonia can be fully electrified and using green ammonia as bunkering fuel creates more certainty. As we further scale and refine these intelligent technologies, green ammonia will become the most practical and cost-effective choice for the next generation of shipping. This is the certainty we bring to an uncertain market.”

Fuel consumption, use of consumables for emissions abatement and tank-to-wake emissions are based on real-life performance of engines in WinGD’s existing portfolio: ammonia-fuelled X‑DF‑A, methanol-fuelled X‑DF‑M and LNG-fuelled X‑DF engines. For the vessel cases studied, the illustrations show how VLSFO and LNG are currently the most cost-competitive fuel options, with green ammonia reaching a similar and eventually lower net costs under a global regulatory regime.

“This shows what it means to lead with innovation and collaboration. Using real fuel pricing, engine performance and emissions data, we show how green fuels can become commercially viable options for ship operators. With global policy on pause, now is the time for the industry to show how it can overcome the obstacles to decarbonisation using the fuels and technologies that already exist today,” said Dominik Schneiter, CEO, WinGD.

The study finds that e-LNG and green methanol may have a longer path to viability, requiring the addition of higher rewards under a global regime—although the price evolution will depend on the speed at which producers can increase volumes. Further fuel candidates and power configurations will be modelled by WinGD in future studies.

With the first opex study based on real lifecycle emissions and real engine performance, WinGD and Envision hope to advance industry discussion of the role of ZNZ fuels in shipping’s decarbonisation efforts.

Note: The whitepaper can be read here.

Photo credit: WinGD
Published: 23 March, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Following the successful deployment of “ONE Singapore” and its sister vessels, “ONE Solidarity” will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Singapore-based container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Thursday (3 July) said it celebrated the maiden voyage of containership ONE Solidarity as the ship made its first-ever arrival in Shekou, China.

“As one of our S-series methanol and ammonia ready container vessels, ONE Solidarity is another demonstration of ONE’s commitment to sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post.

Following the successful deployment of ONE Singapore and its sister vessels, ONE Solidarity will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

“Her deployment will boost our service capacity, ensuring faster, more reliable, and highly efficient shipping offerings across key global trade lanes,” the company added.

Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 3 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Following delivery of the ship in China, it will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, strengthening Fratelli Cosulich’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Thursday (2 July) celebrated the delivery of Lucia Cosulich at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel is the second of four sister methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within the Group’s fleet expansion programme and follows the launching ceremony held on 2 May 2026.

Designed to support the Group’s bunkering operations and future fuel requirements, Lucia Cosulich is part of the new generation of vessels developed by Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy to combine operational reliability, safety and fuel flexibility.

Lucia Cosulich will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, further strengthening the Group’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

“We wish Lucia Cosulich and her crew fair winds on the next stage of her journey,” the company said.

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 3 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026 compared to 155 in the same period in 2025.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025.

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026