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SEA-LNG: LNG, biomethane bunkering continue to grow despite geopolitical uncertainty

The industry coalition says LNG-fuelled vessels, LNG bunker vessels, and LNG bunkering volumes, as well as biomethane bunkering and production, all continue to grow in 2026.
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SEA-LNG: LNG, biomethane bunkering continue to grow despite geopolitical uncertainty

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (16 July) published its 2026 Mid-Year Market Review. 

It provides a snapshot of the current market conditions facing the methane pathway, with particular focus on the growth of liquefied biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG). This report comes as SEA-LNG celebrates its tenth anniversary and gains provisional consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

According to analysis of vessel orders from January to June 2026 from SEA-LNG member DNV, LNG dual-fuel orders remain robust at 73 vessels, accounting for almost 90% of the alternatively fuelled order book, when compared with ammonia, hydrogen and methanol. Additionally, there are now 67 LNG bunker vessels in operation, plus 42 more on order.

The LNG order book continues to be dominated by vessels serving liner trades especially container vessels and pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This is consistent with recent analysis by the World Shipping Council which shows that LNG remains the preferred fuel for container ship owners, accounting for 58% of total tonnage ordered versus conventional fuels at 36%.

There was also an increase in bunkering volumes and infrastructure. According to analysis by Kpler, global LNG bunker volumes were around 770,000 cubic meters (m3) per month in the period January to May 2026. This represents an increase of about 13% on the same period in 2025 as more LNG fuelled vessels have entered into operation together with favourable LNG and conventional fuel prices.

Liquefied biomethane is bunkered routinely today, and liquefied e-methane is in development. Since the introduction of regulations like FuelEU Maritime, LBM supply and demand have grown significantly. Data from the European Biogas Association show biomethane production capacity reached 8.2 bcm a year by the end of Q2 2026. This represents an additional 1 bcm in a single year, or growth of 17%. The number of operational biogas plants rose from 1,678 to 1,975 plants with €36 billion of allocated capital investment driving the sector.

Steve Esau, SEA-LNG COO, said: “Despite geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties in 2026, the industry is maintaining momentum on the methane decarbonisation pathway. This year’s mid-year review confirms that methane is the practical and realistic solution for shipping decarbonisation. 

“This is reflected in the growing numbers of LNG-fuelled vessels, LNG bunker vessels, and LNG bunkering volumes, as well as biomethane bunkering and production growth. As we look ahead, with e-methane also materialising, we are confident in the trajectory of the methane pathway to decarbonisation.”

SEA-LNG is active at the IMO and EU to underline the importance of goal-based and technology-neutral decarbonisation regulations, and ensure a global market for low and net zero fuels. As the methane pathway continues to mature, efforts have shifted from raising awareness to sharing members’ collective expertise on important technical details that will, for example, further reduce global well-to-wake emissions and scale up bio- and e-methane development and deployment.

As part of these efforts, last week SEA-LNG was granted provisional consultative status at the IMO. This status will enable SEA-LNG to engage directly with Members States as it advocates for practical and realistic regulations to help move the maritime industry forward.

Peter Keller, SEA-LNG Chairman, said: “I have been with SEA-LNG since we founded it 10 years ago, and what strikes me is how methane has ramped up from a pathway to a clear runway for shipping decarbonisation. When building the first LNG-powered containership, I didn’t imagine that within ten years over 10% of the global fleet by deadweight could be powered by methane. 

“What started as a solution to reduce harmful local emissions has cemented itself as the practical and realistic option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions today and into the future. As I look ahead, the fundamentals are strong, the orderbook is growing, the bunkering infrastructure is expanding at a record pace, and biomethane and e-methane are building on LNG’s foundation. Just as we expected.”

Note: SEA-LNG’s Methane Pathway – 2026 mid-year market review can be viewed here.

 

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 17 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore strengthens LNG bunkering framework with new SS 727 standard

Launch of SS 727 represents a significant achievement for Singapore’s maritime industry, providing a comprehensive framework to enhance safety and reliability of LNG bunkering operations, says FueLNG.

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September 2, 2026

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Singapore strengthens LNG bunkering framework with new SS 727 standard

Singapore-licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (28 August) announced a seminar to mark the elevation of the LNG bunkering Technical Reference (TR 56) to the newly published Singapore Standard SS 727 – LNG Bunkering.

FueLNG said the launch of SS 727 represents a significant achievement for Singapore’s maritime industry, providing a comprehensive and robust framework to enhance the safety, consistency, and reliability of LNG bunkering operations. 

“The standard captures years of industry experience, technological advancements and operational learnings, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a leading global LNG bunkering hub,” the company said.

Manifold Times previously reported MPA announcing that the existing TR56 would be upgraded into a Singapore Standard in August 2026 to further strengthen safe and reliable LNG bunkering operations. 

MPA said this in conjunction with announcing the issuance of eight new licences to supply LNG as a marine fuel in Singapore from 1 September.

The licences were awarded to Aramco Trading Singapore, Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific, PetroChina International (Singapore), Shell Eastern Trading, Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore), TotalEnergies Gas & Power Asia (TEGPA)-Sembcorp Fuels (Singapore) Joint Venture, and Vitol Bunkers (S).

Singapore strengthens LNG bunkering framework with new SS 727 standard

A highlight of the seminar was the presentation by Dr. Saunak Rai, Chairman of the Technical Committee for Bunkering (Cryogenic & Gaseous Fuels) and General Manager of FueLNG, who led the industry effort to develop the standard. 

In his address, Dr Rai shared the evolution of LNG bunkering standards in Singapore, tracing the journey from the early development of TR 56 to its elevation as Singapore Standard SS 727. 

He also provided insights into the collaboration between industry stakeholders, regulators and technical experts that shaped the standard, while recognising and thanking the Technical Committee and Working Group members whose dedication and expertise made this milestone possible.

The seminar also featured practical operational perspectives from Siah Poh Chiang, Operations Manager, FueLNG, who shared valuable lessons from FueLNG’s experience in conducting safe and efficient truck-to-ship LNG bunkering operations using the standards, further demonstrating how industry best practices have contributed to the development of the new standard.

The seminar concluded with a panel discussion on the Future of LNG Bunkering, moderated by Dr Saunak Rai. The session brought together a distinguished panel comprising Mark Nicdao of Shell, Zhanming Yang of Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services, Michael Newman of Fearnleys Asia (Singapore and Richard Tan of TotalEnergies Gas & Power Asia. 

The panellists shared perspectives on the evolving LNG bunkering landscape, market outlook, regulatory developments, operational challenges, and the role of LNG in supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-carbon fuels. 

“The exchange of views and audience engagement underscored the importance of collaboration across the maritime value chain to accelerate the adoption of safe, reliable and sustainable bunkering solutions,” the company added. 

“As one of Singapore’s leading LNG bunkering providers, FueLNG is honored to have contributed to this important industry milestone through both operational experience and technical leadership.”

Note: SS 727 is now available through the Singapore Standards e-shop here.

Related: Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel among eight selected for new LNG bunkering licences

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 2 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

NYK and Stolt-Nielsen target LNG, bio-LNG bunkering growth through Avenir LNG JV

NYK says joint venture will pursue opportunities in LNG and bio-LNG bunkering, supporting the maritime industry’s transition to lower-emission fuels.

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NYK and Stolt-Nielsen target LNG, bio-LNG bunkering growth through Avenir LNG JV

Avenir LNG on Tuesday (1 September) announced the completion of the transaction first announced in March, establishing Avenir LNG as a 50/50 joint venture between NYK Line and Stolt-Nielsen.

The partnership brings together the global reach, expertise and capabilities of two leading maritime groups, providing an even stronger platform from which Avenir can continue to grow.

“For Avenir, our focus remains clear: expanding our global LNG bunkering and small-scale LNG activities, accelerating the adoption of Bio-LNG, and helping our customers navigate the transition towards lower-carbon shipping,” the company said. 

“We are incredibly proud of what the Avenir team has built to date and excited about what this new partnership makes possible.”

With the completion of the transaction, NYK said it has established a joint ownership and operating structure with Stolt-Nielsen for Avenir LNG, an operator in the LNG bunkering sector with one of the world’s largest fleets of LNG bunker vessels.

“The joint venture will pursue opportunities in LNG and bio-LNG bunkering, supporting the maritime industry’s transition to lower-emission fuels,” NYK said in a separate statement. 

 

Photo credit: Avenir LNG
Published: 2 September, 2026

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Methanol

MB Energy and TUI Cruises wrap up methanol bunkering trial of “Mein Schiff 7”

While methanol supplied during the operation is used for boiler operations rather than propulsion, operation provides TUI Cruises with practical experience in assessing its potential for emissions reduction.
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September 2, 2026

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MB Energy and TUI Cruises wrap up methanol bunkering trial of “Mein Schiff 7”

Integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (1 September) said it has successfully completed a methanol bunkering trial for TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 at the Ostseekai Cruise Terminal in the Port of Kiel.

As part of this delivery, approximately 25 cubic metres of methanol from renewable feedstocks were supplied to the vessel. The fuel will be used primarily for boiler operations on board. 

The logistic company Johs. Martens, acting on behalf of MB Energy, handled the trucking and physical delivery of the methanol to the vessel at the terminal. 

By safely and reliably supplying methanol to a large passenger vessel with around 2,900 guests on board and multiple simultaneous operations at the pier, MB Energy and TUI Cruises have jointly demonstrated system readiness for this mode of delivery. 

“The operation shows that lower carbon fuels like methanol from renewable feedstocks can already be integrated into cruise operations in a safe and reliable way,” said Jonathan Perkins, CEO from MB Energy. 

“Together with TUI Cruises and our logistics partner Johs. Martens, we are proving that the infrastructure and expertise are in place to support carbon reduced ways of shipping.” 

The company said the methanol bunkering highlighted the company’s growing capabilities in handling methanol for major clients in northern Europe.

MB Energy is currently developing its storage infrastructure in Hamburg-Blumensand to be “methanol-ready”, enabling the supply of larger volumes of lower carbon ammonia and methanol to maritime customers in the future. 

Hamburg and Kiel will serve as the company’s primary operational hubs in northern Germany, with the flexibility and ambition to also supply other European ports. 

“By combining our own storage infrastructure with integrated logistics, we can offer customers a reliable and uninterrupted methanol supply,” adds Jonathan Perkins. 

“Our first bunkering with ‘Mein Schiff 7’ is a strong signal of what is possible when shipowners, ports and energy providers work together.” 

Jörg Umann, Director Strategic Planning, Treasury, IR and Fuel at TUI Cruises, said: “For TUI Cruises, this project provided valuable operational experience with the supply and handling of certified renewable methanol under real operating conditions. 

“While the methanol from renewable feedstocks supplied during this operation is used for boiler operations rather than propulsion, projects like this help us better understand how alternative fuels can contribute to reducing emissions as part of a broader carbon reduction strategy.”

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: MB Energy
Published: 2 September, 2026

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