Alternative Fuels

Accelleron: Asia Pacific ports advance cross-sector hydrogen and e-fuel readiness

Company’s report Asia Pacific as the proving ground for overcoming shipping’s carbon-neutral fuel deadlocks, showing early green hydrogen and e-fuel projects advancing across major ports.

Published

5 months ago

May 4, 2026

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Accelleron: Asia Pacific ports advance cross-sector hydrogen and e-fuel readiness

Accelleron on Thursday (30 April) released a new report, highlighting how Asia Pacific ports are building early foundations for green hydrogen-based e-fuel markets through coordinated cross-sector action.

This momentum is being driven not only by decarbonisation, but also by a focus on long-term energy security across the region.

The ships are ready, the fuels are missing. While vessel technology has advanced rapidly and dual-fuel ships capable of running on methanol and ammonia are setting sail, fuel production remains very slow, due to fragmented demand, high upfront costs, and the scale of infrastructure required.

“Where e-fuel projects succeed, energy and multiple hard-to-abate industries move together. Combining demand creates contracts large enough to start building, shares risk so projects become insurable, and allows developers to build infrastructure once instead of duplicating it,” said President of the Medium- and Low-Speed Division at Accelleron, Christoph Rofka.

“Ports can anchor that process by planning and developing bunkering infrastructure to supply inland power generation and industrial demand first, preparing the way for future maritime uptake.”

Accelleron’s report Asia Pacific as the proving ground for overcoming shipping’s carbon-neutral fuel deadlocks, showing early green hydrogen and e-fuel projects advancing across major ports, including Singapore, Yokohama, Busan, and Shanghai. These pilots are being driven by national hydrogen and e-fuel strategies linked to industrial decarbonisation and energy security objectives, rather than shipping demand alone.

Across the region, ports are advancing ammonia and methanol projects, developing safety frameworks, strengthening fuel-handling capabilities, and building operational readiness. At the same time, early hydrogen and e-fuel production is moving forward through cross-sector offtake in land-based industries such as power generation, chemicals, and heavy industry. This broader demand base allows fuel systems, infrastructure, and standards to develop ahead of anticipated larger-scale maritime uptake.

The research shows the outline of an early e-fuel market emerging in Asia Pacific, with ports taking on complementary roles based on their resource bases, industrial structures, and geographies. A supply-demand dynamic architecture for hydrogen and e-fuels is forming, with ports leveraging their strengths to serve as either producers, connectors, receivers, or export sources.

In addition, high-volume trade corridors like the Australia-Singapore-China iron ore route, are emerging as practical pathways for early fuel deployment, aligning industrial demand (iron ore conversion with hydrogen), maritime traffic, and port readiness. The research also highlights the Singapore-Rotterdam route as a developing link between Asia Pacific’s emerging e-fuel system and European demand centres.

The Port of Yokohama illustrates how national policy, local government coordination, and industry collaboration are realising this public-private cross-sector approach in practice. As one of Japan’s designated Carbon Neutral Ports under the program led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Yokohama is aligning port development with nearby industrial demand and the national energy strategy.

The Port of Yokohama’s roadmap comprises 145 public‑private partnership projects covering fuel-handling systems, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol supply chains, as well as a robust program of port-area decarbonisation, including shore power, electrified equipment, and financing mechanisms. It is also coordinating closely with neighbouring Kawasaki City to align regional fuel supply planning and industrial energy demand.

“To achieve decarbonisation in international shipping and logistics, and in heavy industries such as power generation, steelmaking, and chemicals, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has launched the Carbon Neutral Port initiative, which aims to broadly decarbonise port areas, where all of these converge,” said Director for Carbon Neutral Port Promotion, Port and Harbor Bureau, City of Yokohama, Hitoshi Nakamura.

“Public support is critical to enabling early development, especially when we are working across multiple sectors. Through the Yokohama Port CNP Sustainable Finance Framework, we have made it easier for companies to access green loans and other financing, and in a short time have launched 145 projects spanning port decarbonisation, fuel-related infrastructure, and supply chains. We see that this structured, public-private, cross-sector approach is effective in accelerating infrastructure and market development, and we are seeing very promising progress toward the goals of the CNP initiative.”

Note: The full report titled ‘Accelerating to Net Zero: Asia Pacific as the proving ground for overcoming shipping’s carbon neutral fuel deadlocks?’ can be found here.

Photo credit: Accelleron
Published: 4 May, 2026

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Biofuel

Petrochina International blends over 30,000 mt of marine biofuel since March

Company has been developing marine biofuel blending operations at China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, leveraging storage and logistics facilities at its Aoshan base.

Published

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September 21, 2026

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Zhoushan completes China’s first batch of marine biofuel blending under pilot programme

Petrochina International Co Ltd recently said it has blended more than 30,000 metric tonnes (mt) mt of biofuel since completing the country’s first biofuel marine fuel blending operation on 13 March.

The company said the milestone demonstrates its ability to conduct continuous and large-scale biofuel marine fuel blending operations.

The company has been developing marine biofuel blending operations at China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, leveraging storage and logistics facilities at its Aoshan base.

Its latest product, B24 marine fuel containing 24% biofuel component, meets relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements and marine fuel standards, according to the company. It said the product can be supplied for bunkering vessels operating on international routes.

It has used its global trading network to secure feedstock supplies and support cost control and supply security for the blending operations, it added.

The company said the large-scale blending of its marine biofuel products marks a development in China’s marine biofuel blending market.

It plans to work with upstream and downstream businesses within its group to support the development of Zhoushan Port as a major bonded marine fuel bunkering hub and contribute to its parent group’s transition towards lower-carbon energy.

Manifold Times previously reported China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone launching the first pilot programme for marine biofuel blending in China with the completion of the first batch of B24-HSFO.

The launch was marked with the blending of 2,000 mt of biodiesel and 6,300 mt of high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) in storage tank F-02 of Sinochem-Xingzhong Oil Staging (Zhoushan), producing 8,300 mt of B24-HSFO.

Manifold Times also reported the first cross-regional bonded bunkering operation of blended biofuel in East China was successfully completed at the Meishan Port Area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

The B24-HSFO used in the bunkering operation was supplied by the Aoshan Petroleum Base in Zhoushan from the first pilot programme for marine biofuel blending in China.

Photo credit: Sinochem-Xingzhong Oil Staging (Zhoushan)
Published: 21 September, 2026

Ammonia

NYK wraps up first STS ammonia bunkering operation in Japan

Ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier “Shoei Maru” via the STS method to an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier, scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

Published

6 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Admin

NYK wraps up first STS ammonia bunkering operation in Japan

NYK Line, on Thursday (17 September) with Japan Marine United Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, and Kokuka Sangyo Co Ltd, has completed the world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering operation to an ammonia-fuelled vessel.

At a quay within Japan Marine United Corporation’s Ariake Shipyard, ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier Shoei Maru via the STS method to an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

The operation was conducted in preparation for sea trials of the AFMGC using fuel ammonia.

“This achievement represents an important initiative that has put into practice an operation essential for the future practical deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels,” the company said.

The bunkering operation was conducted following extensive discussions among the companies involved. Safe operating procedures and work processes were established prior to the operation, enabling the transfer to be completed safely. Through this initiative, we have accumulated practical insights regarding safe fuel supply operations.

This operation serves as a pioneering example of the fuel-supply framework that will be required for the widespread adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The AFMGC is currently in the final stage of construction and is scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

“The successful completion of this operation marks a significant milestone toward the broader commercial use of fuel ammonia and the practical deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels. It also represents an important step forward in establishing an ammonia supply chain,” the company added.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 21 September, 2026

Ammonia

Azane secures ammonia bunker fuel supply from Yara

Yara will supply ammonia to Azane through its established production and logistics network, and Azane will sell the ammonia to end clients in the maritime fuel market.

Published

6 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Admin

Azane secures ammonia bunker fuel supply from Yara

Azane Fuel Solutions AS (Azane) on Friday (18 September) said it has signed an ammonia supply agreement with Yara Norge AS (Yara), securing access to ammonia for Azane’s marine fuel activities.

The company said the agreement represents an important step in establishing a reliable ammonia supply chain to support the maritime sector’s transition towards lower-emission operations.

“The agreement strengthens the ammonia value chain and supports Azane’s ambition to deliver reliable and scalable ammonia solutions for the shipping industry,” it said in a statement.

Under the agreement, Yara will supply ammonia to Azane through its established production and logistics network, and Azane will sell the ammonia to end clients in the maritime fuel market – such as the recently announced agreement with Equinor.

“Securing access to ammonia from a leading global producer is a key milestone for Azane,” said Steinar Kostøl, CEO of Azane Fuel Solutions.

“As interest in ammonia as a marine fuel continues to grow, strong partnerships across the value chain are essential to ensuring a safe, reliable and commercially viable fuel supply.”

“Ammonia is recognized as a promising low-emission fuel alternative for shipping and offshore operations, and we are pleased to support Azane’s efforts to pilot ammonia supply solutions,” said Gunner Sørensen, Senior Sales Manager, Yara Industrial Solutions.

“As a leading global producer and supplier of ammonia, Yara is well positioned to provide reliable supply to customers across a range of industries, including emerging applications such as maritime fuel.”

Photo credit: Azane Fuel Solutions
Published: 21 September, 2026