Alternative Fuels

ABS and partners launch hydrogen fuel cell harbour craft pilot study in Singapore

ABS, Marinteknik Shipbuilders, SeaTech Solutions International, and VINSSEN signed a research collaboration agreement to advance the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered harbour craft.

Published

2 months ago

April 29, 2026

Admin

ABS and partners launch hydrogen fuel cell harbour craft pilot study in Singapore

Classification society ABS recently said it signed a research collaboration agreement with Marinteknik Shipbuilders (S) Pte Ltd, SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd, and VINSSEN to advance the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered harbour craft in Singapore.

The agreement brings together complementary expertise across vessel ownership, ship design, fuel cell propulsion and marine technology to advance hydrogen as a viable marine fuel for harbour operations.

Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, said: “ABS is uniquely positioned to support this promising pilot. Our Singapore office is one of our largest, reflecting years of investment to deliver advanced technology and engineering services and survey operations in the Pacific.

“This concentration of capability in Singapore makes ABS a true innovation teammate for a project of this ambition. We look forward to working with Marinteknik, SeaTech, VINSSEN and the MPA to help prove out hydrogen fuel cell technology as a viable pathway for harbour craft and the broader maritime industry,” said

Ng Yi Han, Senior Director, Innovation, Technology and Talent Development/Chief Transformation Officer, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said: “The Port of Singapore is home to about 1,600 harbour craft. Decarbonising the fleet requires solutions that can meet different vessel types and operating profiles. MPA is working with ABS and industry partners to develop and pilot new technologies under this project.

“These efforts will build capabilities and support the adoption of practical, lower-emission solutions across the sector.”

In phase one, the consortium will conduct desktop studies covering the feasibility of implementing hydrogen-powered harbour craft in Singapore, including vessel concept design, design evaluation and optimization, techno-economic analysis, risk assessment and mitigation and commercial viability for broader adoption. Depending on the outcomes from phase one, a second phase could include construction and sea trials of the vessel.

“Having delivered two fully electric harbour crafts, Marinteknik is thrilled to embark on this milestone project: the first hydrogen-powered vessel for the Singapore maritime sector. We are conducting in-depth studies with local harbour craft operators, analysing their specific operating profiles and requirements so that we can tailor our vessel’s design to meet the practical, real-world demands of the industry,” said Alex Wong, General Manager of Marinteknik.

ABS’ Singapore office is home to the global ABS Electrification Center to support and explore battery and hybrid sources of energy, as well as the ABS Singapore Innovation and Research Center.

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 29 April, 2026

Up Next

Hengli shifts ownership of Singapore trading arm in wake of US sanctions

Don't Miss

Osaka Gas debuts ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in Japan

Alternative Fuels

Ports of Barcelona and Shanghai team up to develop green ports, alternative bunker fuels

Agreement officially establishes the ‘sister ports’ relationship between Shanghai and Barcelona and aims to boost cooperation in areas such as developing green ports and alternative fuels.

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

Admin

Ports of Barcelona and Shanghai team up to develop green ports, alternative bunker fuels

The Port of Barcelona on Thursday (11 June) said it signed a new strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission (SMTC) and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG).

The agreement officially establishes the “sister ports” relationship between Shanghai and Barcelona and aims to boost cooperation in areas such as the digitalisation and security of port operations; developing green ports and alternative fuels; intermodality and fostering sustainable maritime corridors between the Far East and the Mediterranean.

The agreement was signed by José Alberto Carbonell, president of the Port of Barcelona; Xiao Hui, general director of the SMTC, and Yang ZhiYong, vice president of SIPG, in the presence of Jaume Duch, Regional Minister for European Union and Foreign Action.

The relationship between the Port of Barcelona and the Port of Shanghai has intensified in recent years. In late July 2025, a preliminary agreement was signed between both port authorities, which led to a technical visit in September 2025 by a delegation from Shanghai led by Wang Haijian, Vice President and Director of Operations of SIPG, to advance the development of the Green Shipping and Digital Corridor between both ports.

“This new institutional visit and the signing of the new agreement consolidates the Port of Barcelona’s position as a Euro-Mediterranean logistics hub and strengthens its links with one of the main ports and economic centres in the world,” the port said.

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 12 June, 2026

Biofuel

NYK Line subsidiary Kinkai Yusen to trial B24 bio bunker fuel on RoRo vessel

Kinkai Yusen says it will conduct a demonstration operation using biofuel refuelled at Hakata Port on 16 June on the RoRo vessel “Nanotsu”.

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

Admin

NYK Line subsidiary Kinkai Yusen to trial B24 bio bunker fuel on RoRo vessel

NYK Line subsidiary Kinkai Yusen on Tuesday (9 June) said it will conduct a demonstration operation using biofuel refuelled at Hakata Port on 16 June on the RoRo vessel Nanotsu, which operates between Hakata Port and Tsuruga Port.

The company said it will be the first instance of a domestic RoRo vessel operating using biofuel at Hakata Port.

The biofuel (B24) which will be used will comprise 24% biofuel and conventional marine fuel, and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without requiring major modifications to existing ship equipment.

“The procurement of biofuel will be carried out in cooperation with Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd and Itochu Enex Co Ltd,” it said in a statement.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Tetsuya
Published: 12 June, 2026

Alternative Fuels

Mureloil deploys hybrid chemical tanker for bunkering and terminal transport

After its delivery, the ship carried out its first commercial operations in the ports of Bilbao and Mugardos before being deployed to Barcelona where it will operate over the coming months.

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

Admin

Mureloil deploys hybrid chemical tanker for bunkering and terminal transport

Spanish bunker service provider Mureloil on Saturday (28 February) said it has deployed Bahía Candela, a next-generation hybrid chemical tanker, for operations.

The vessel is specifically designed for bunkering operations and terminal-to-terminal fuel transport.

After its delivery, the ship carried out its first commercial operations in the ports of Bilbao and Mugardos. The tanker then stopped in Algeciras before starting its journey to Barcelona, where it will operate over the coming months.

The Bahía Candela is the first of two sister vessels, with the second named Bahía Beatriz, both of which will be operated by Repsol as part of its maritime decarbonisation strategy to develop low-carbon fuel logistics including methanol and biofuels.

Building on the success of Bahía Levante, the new vessel features a diesel-electric propulsion system combined with 4.2 MW of lithium-ion batteries, enabling fully electric port operations for up to 72 hours—including cargo handling and manoeuvring—with zero direct GHG emissions.

Photo credit: Mureloil
Published: 12 June, 2026