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ABS joins Korean initiative to develop standards for hydrogen-fuelled ships

ABS has signed a MoU with three Korean maritime organisations, targeting ISO standards for hydrogen ships, smart shipyards and future maritime technologies.

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ABS joins Korean initiative to develop standards for hydrogen-fuelled ships

Classification society ABS on Sunday (13 September) said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three Korean maritime organisations to advance the development of international standards for the next generation of smart ships and shipyards.

The MOU targets ISO standards for hydrogen ships, smart shipyards and future maritime technologies. 

The Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI), the Korean Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA) and the Research Institute of Medium & Small Shipbuilding (RIMS) have joined ABS in a five-year framework to develop global benchmarks for vessels and shipyards that take advantage of digital technology, smart manufacturing and advanced maritime systems. 

As part of a related agreement, ABS is already supporting the development of preliminary standards in two areas: digital production and traceability requirements for additively manufactured shipboard components and vent mast design for hydrogen-fuelled ships.

“Next-generation shipbuilding is advancing rapidly, and the international standards that govern smart ships, smart shipyards and advanced manufacturing are still taking shape. ABS has deep, long-running relationships with Korea’s shipbuilding sector, and this agreement puts that experience to work in developing the standards the industry needs. It is a further reflection of why Korean yards look to ABS to help advance these technologies safely,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

The MOU builds on an earlier agreement between ABS and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) to advance international standardisation of smart ship and shipyard technologies, part of Korea’s national strategy to lead in high-value-added vessel development. 

The agreement also reflects the growing engagement of ABS with Korea’s maritime sector, including recent cooperation with Korean and U.S. institutions through the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center.

“International standards are more than technical criteria — they are the gateway to market entry and a core element of global competitiveness. Working with ABS allows us to combine Korea’s standardization capabilities with ABS’ classification experience, and we expect this to produce practical results that lower the barriers for Korean equipment manufacturers entering overseas markets,” said Joo-Hyoung Choi, Managing Director of KOMERI.

 

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 15 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 4% on year in August 2026

4.77 million metric tonnes of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in August, up from 4.97 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025, according to MPA.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 4% on year in August 2026

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port fell by 4% on year in August 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.77 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,772,700 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in August, up from 4.97 million mt (4,965,300 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in August (against on year) recorded respectively 2.1 million mt (11.1% from 1.89 million mt), 2.19 million mt (-12.4% from 2.50 million mt), zero (from zero), zero (-100% from 1,800 mt) and zero (from zero).

Bunker Sales

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in August, (against on year) recorded respectively 8,700 mt (-74.9% from 34,700 mt), 47,900 mt (-48.9% from 93,800 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 800 mt (-83.3% from 4,800 mt). 

LNG and methanol sales were 58,600 mt (-12.5% from 67,000 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 September, 2026

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Ammonia

World’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel enters service following conversion

Vessel is now the world’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel and has received the first ammonia bunkering class certificate.

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World’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel enters service following conversion

The world’s first operational ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering vessel has entered service following the conversion of a 5,500-cubic-metre liquefied gas carrier, Swedish ship designer FKAB Marine Design said on Thursday (10 September). 

The vessel is now the world’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel and has received the first ammonia bunkering class certificate.

FKAB said the achievement represents an important step in the development of the infrastructure needed to support ammonia as a marine fuel. 

While several ammonia bunker vessel projects have reached the design, feasibility or construction stage, the Shenghang Yongle has now progressed into operational readiness.

Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development led the conversion and certification process in close cooperation with China Classification Society, while FKAB together with cargo handling supplier Gloryholder prepared the technical drawing documentation required for the conversion.

The vessel can transport liquid ammonia and deliver it as a marine fuel through ship-to-ship bunkering. 

Originally designed as a flexible liquefied gas carrier, the vessel has been upgraded from a conventional ammonia carrier into a dual-purpose vessel capable of both transporting liquid ammonia and delivering it as fuel through ship-to-ship bunkering.

The overall work included modifications to the bunkering system, development of operating procedures, risk assessments, and the establishment of safety and emergency-response arrangements.

Particular attention was given to the challenges associated with ammonia, including toxicity, material compatibility, low-temperature operation, leak detection and risk control during bunkering.

 

Photo credit: FKAB Marine Design
Published: 15 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: Gas supply risks lift Rotterdam’s LNG and LBM

B30-LSMGO swings to $37/mt discount to LNG (Otto MS); Singapore LNG (diesel SS) discount to LSMGO widens; ZRE A tickets surge on aggressive compliance buying.

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: Gas supply risks lift Rotterdam's LNG and LBM

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

14 September 2026

  • B30-LSMGO swings to $37/mt discount to LNG (Otto MS)
  • Singapore LNG (diesel SS) discount to LSMGO widens
  • ZRE A tickets surge on aggressive compliance buying

Rotterdam’s B30-LSMGO has swung from a $90/mt premium over LNG burnt in Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines to a $37/mt discount, as LNG has gained $150/mt over the past week against the blend’s $24/mt.

Liquefied biomethane’s (LBM) premiums over HSFO in Rotterdam have widened by $105-107/mt to $348-487/mt depending on engine type, and over VLSFO by $90-92/mt to $233-372/mt.

LBM’s discounts to LSMGO have narrowed by $6-8/mt to $261-400/mt. Its premiums over B100 have widened by $84-86/mt to $271-411/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premiums over VLSFO have widened by $95-97/mt to $356-492/mt depending on engine type, and LNG’s discounts to LSMGO have narrowed by $11-13/mt to $141-277/mt.

In Singapore, LNG’s premiums over VLSFO have narrowed by $1-2/mt to $255-323/mt, and its discounts to LSMGO have widened by $85-86/mt to $88-155/mt. The wider discount is for vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines.

Fuel Switch Snapshot: Gas supply risks lift Rotterdam's LNG and LBM

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has widened by $21/mt to $76/mt while its discount to VLSFO has narrowed by $6/mt to $39/mt. Its discount to LSMGO has widened by $78/mt to $672/mt.

Singapore’s B100 has widened its premium over VLSFO by $14/mt to $280/mt and its discount to LSMGO by $70/mt to $130/mt.

ENGINE-assessed FuelEU Maritime pooling values have eased by $1/mt for both B100 and LBM, the smaller credits adding to each fuel’s gains, while the OceanScore FuelEU pooling index has held at €118.90/mtCO2e ($138/mtCO2e).

Liquid fuels

Rotterdam’s conventional fuel prices have gained $38-137/mt over the past week, with LSMGO up the most and its benchmark at the highest level in at least four years.

B100 has gained $59/mt and B30-VLSFO $64/mt.

Dutch ZRE A tickets have moved up by €21/mtCO2e ($24/mtCO2e) to €200/mtCO2e ($232/mtCO2e) over the past week. Compliance buyers rather than speculators have driven the increase, Prima Markets analyst Ulrich Arnheiter said.

Conventional bunker fuel availability in the ARA is tight for prompt deliveries, with lead times of 5-7 days advised for most grades, a trader said.

Singapore’s conventional fuel prices have gained $49-133/mt, again with LSMGO up the most, and B100 has gained $63/mt.

Supply in Singapore has remained constrained despite subdued demand, with VLSFO lead times of 12-15 days against 9-16 days a week earlier.

Front-month ICE Brent futures have rallied $10.53/bbl ($77/mt) higher to $108.72/bbl ($797/mt), lifted by vessel attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia halting flows through its East-West Pipeline. Dec26 EUA prices have risen by $2.99/mtCO2e to $102.47/mtCO2e.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have gained $148-150/mt depending on engine type over the past week, and the port’s LBM prices $143-145/mt, tracking a sharp rise in the front-month Dutch TTF gas contract.

How long the Strait of Hormuz stays closed remains the single most important supply-side uncertainty, IEA gas analyst Greg Molnár said.

Rotterdam’s LBM discounts to LNG have widened by $5/mt to $119-124/mt depending on engine type.

Singapore’s LNG prices have gained $46-47/mt depending on engine type, tracking the front-month NYMEX Japan/Korea Marker.

LNG importers continue to seek cargoes with no resolution of the Middle East conflict in sight, ANZ Bank senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes said.

By Erik Hoffmann

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 15 September, 2026

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