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Alternative Fuels

eFuel Alliance: Policy barriers stall most of over 300 e-fuel projects

‘More than 300 eFuel projects exist globally. Only a fraction has reached the final investment decision. That is not a pipeline problem – it is a policy problem,’ says Ralf Diemer, CEO of eFuel Alliance.

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RESIZED Chris Pagan

eFuel Alliance on Friday (20 March) said there were more than 300 e-fuel projects that exist worldwide but only a few have reached final investment decision (FID). 

The alliance said this when announcing its published blueprint, setting out the concrete regulatory changes needed to mobilise between EUR 34.7 and EUR 46.7 billion in maritime e-fuel investment by 2035. 

According to the blueprint, the final investment decision remains a critical barrier for the e-fuel industry. 

“The coming months will be decisive for initiating operations before 2030, given that construction and commissioning can take up to four years,” it said.

The paper highlighted that regulatory uncertainty is a major factor deterring offtakers and investors from making long-term commitments. 

“A supportive regulatory framework and robust ramp-up strategies are essential to unlock e-fuel investments,” it added.

CEO of the eFuel Alliance, Ralf Diemer, said: “The shipbuilding industry has held up its end of the bargain: more than half of all vessels ordered last year can run on alternative fuels. The market has moved. 

“The regulatory framework governing the fuel supply chain has not. In its current form, it is too rigid, too fragmented, and too short-term to drive the investment decisions we need. 

“More than 300 e-fuel projects exist globally. Only a fraction has reached the final investment decision. That is not a pipeline problem – it is a policy problem. The amendments we are proposing are specific, implementable, and directly tied to investment outcomes.”

eFuel Alliance also said half of all shipping tonnage ordered in 2024 features alternative fuel-capable propulsion. 

79% of the existing orderbook’s deadweight tonnage is designed to run on alternative fuels. The fuel supply chain has not kept pace. 

According to the International Energy Agency, only 4% of announced renewable hydrogen production capacity has reached a final investment decision, and just 1% of projects specifically target fuel applications.

“The gap between vessel readiness and fuel availability is not a technical but a policy problem,” it added. 

Current commitments fall far short of the volumes required to meet anticipated demand from the rapidly growing fleet of alternative fuel-capable vessels. The shortfall is structural and it can only be closed through targeted legislative action.

The paper’s proposals target three EU regulatory frameworks: the Renewable Energy Directive, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, and the maritime extension of the EU Emissions Trading System.

Complementing these regulatory adjustments, the blueprint also outlined necessary reforms to public funding schemes to unlock large-scale investment in renewable marine fuels. 

Note: The blueprint titled ‘The Market Potential of eFuels’ can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 24 March, 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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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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