Alternative Fuels

Algae-based biofuel project in Oman targets bunker fuel demand

Collaboration between HutanBio and Utopia seeks to develop and scale next-generation sustainable biofuel production to produce sustainable aviation and maritime fuel at commercial scale.

Published

3 months ago

May 22, 2026

Admin

Algae-based biofuel project in Oman targets bunker fuel demand

UK Asian biotechnology company HutanBio recently entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Oman’s Utopia World Investment (UWI) to support the growth of a sustainable fuels sector, including bunkering, in Oman.

Utopia is a majority shareholder in Wakud International which owns and operates Oman’s first dedicated biodiesel refinery. The collaboration seeks to develop and scale next-generation sustainable biofuel production to address one of the most difficult challenges in the fight against climate change: producing sustainable aviation and maritime fuel at commercial scale.

John Jones, COO of Utopia World BioEnergy, said: “By partnering with HutanBio, Utopia World is proactively building a pipeline of ultra-low carbon feedstocks for 2027 and beyond, ensuring continuity, scalability, and integrity in future fuel production.”

The partnership centers on the commercialisation of HutanBio’s proprietary algae-based oil technology, regarded as a scientific breakthrough for its proven ability to harness a newly discovered genus of algae identified by Dr John Archer, whose distinguished career includes leadership roles at Cambridge, MIT, and as one of the founders of KAUST’s biology department.

HutanBio’s novel microalgae strain demonstrates significantly higher productivity than conventional varieties, offering a potential path to producing sustainable crude alternatives at cost parity with traditional fossil fuels. Significantly, the technology has already proven successful in external pilot operations in Malaysia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Wakud will act as an offtaker as both entities scale their operations. Simultaneously, creating a robust framework for the domestic production and deployment of low-carbon fuels. This initiative arrives at a critical juncture for the aviation industry, which currently utilises less than 0.5% sustainable aviation fuel despite aggressive long-term decarbonisation targets of 25%.

Beyond its environmental impact, the project is expected to stimulate the growth of a specialised biotechnology industry, generating skilled employment opportunities and fostering local research and development capabilities. In addition to producing a green crude oil, the biotechnology has the potential to simultaneously enhance food security with the protein rich biomass byproduct.

Following successful discussions with government representatives and industry leaders, Manshu Agarwal, CEO of HutanBio, said the partnership reflects a shared ambition to position Oman at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.

“Oman is perhaps the single best place on Earth to build and scale this project, particularly because of its geopolitical stability, excellent human capital and refinery infrastructure in oil and gas, and of course the ideal climate for growing this algae,” he stated.

The first site is set to deploy in late 2027, before massive scale expansion in Oman, followed on by deployment through licensing in Asia, Northern Africa, Australia and parts of the US – supporting the needs of the entire aviation and maritime industry.

By utilising arid coastlines and existing refinery infrastructure, HutanBio’s technology, supported by Wakud’s refinery expertise will transform Oman’s non-arable land into a high-tech biofuel hub to drive decarbonisation in the aviation and maritime sectors.

Photo credit: HutanBio
Published: 22 May, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE starts construction of two LNG bunkering vessels for GSX Energy

The two 20,000-cubic-metre vessels are the third and fourth in a series of four 20,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessels that CIMC Pacific Offshore is constructing for GSX Energy.

Published

12 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Admin

CIMC SOE starts construction of two LNG bunkering vessels for GSX Energy

Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) on Friday (21 August) held a groundbreaking ceremony for two 20,000-cubic-metre LNG bunkering vessels being built for GSX Energy.

The two vessels are the third and fourth in a series of four 20,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessels that CIMC Pacific Offshore is constructing for GSX Energy.

Construction of the first vessel began in May, while the second vessel commenced construction on 10 August.

The vessels are 159 metres long, with a beam of 25 metres and a design speed of 13 knots. Each will be equipped with a Wärtsilä dual-fuel main engine and a 1,300 kW shaft generator to meet power requirements during normal operations. A high-voltage shore power system can also be installed at a later stage.

“The simultaneous commencement of construction on both vessels marks a new phase of accelerated construction for this series of projects, fully demonstrating CIMC SOE’s construction capabilities and project management expertise,” CIMC SOE said.

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 26 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

EC clears LNG bunkering joint venture by CMA CGM and TotalEnergies

In July 2025, both firms entered into a deal to develop a 50/50 logistics joint venture dedicated to the implementation and operation of a LNG bunker supply solution at port of Rotterdam.

Published

12 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Admin

The European Commission (EC) has recently approved the creation of a joint venture by French companies CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, dedicated to providing LNG bunkering services.

The EC concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture will have negligible activities in the European Economic Area and given the companies’ limited combined market positions resulting from the proposed transaction.

“The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure,” it said.

Manifold Times previously reported TotalEnergies and CMA CGM entering into an agreement to develop a 50/50 logistics joint venture dedicated to the implementation and operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker supply solution at the port of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

As part of this new logistics joint venture, a new 20,000 cubic-meter LNG bunker vessel will be positioned in Rotterdam by the end of 2028 and jointly operated.

The CMA CGM-TotalEnergies JV will offer a complete logistics service, from reload access at Gate terminal facilities to LNG bunker delivery to a wide range of vessels operating in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region, including those of CMA CGM as well as other shipping operators.

The joint venture will capitalise on TotalEnergies’ established logistics infrastructure in the ARA region, where the 18,600 m³ LNG bunker vessel Gas Agility has been in operation since 2020.

Photo credit: CMG CGM
Published: 26 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

GAIL, DPA and DNV to explore LNG bunkering facility at Kandla Port

Initiative will explore the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure, supply chain, safety framework and operational ecosystem at Kandla.

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2026

Admin

India’s natural gas company GAIL on Sunday (23 August) said it has signed a Tripartite Cooperation Agreement with Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and classification society DNV to explore the establishment of a LNG bunkering facility at Kandla Port.

The partnership brings together GAIL’s LNG expertise, DPA’s strategic port infrastructure and DNV’s global technical expertise in maritime safety and LNG bunkering.

“The initiative will explore the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure, supply chain, safety framework and operational ecosystem at Kandla, supporting the adoption of cleaner marine fuels and India’s vision for greener and more sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post.

The agreement was signed by Shri Sushil Kumar, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority; Shri Anant Khobragade, ZCGM, Gujarat Zonal Office; and Ajay Kumar Singh, Business Lead, Marine Advisory, DNV India.

Photo credit: GAIL
Published: 25 August, 2026