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ABS releases latest trends and projections for future bunker fuels and decarbonisation

The second of two ‘Outlook’ documents, report applies what ABS currently knows about existing and future fuels to project which energy source could be best suited for each trade lane.

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ABS zero carbon lines

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on Thursday (16 April) published the latest trends and projections on carbon-reduction strategies for shipping as the industry looks to meet decarbonisation ambitions.

Setting the Course to Low Carbon Shipping examines new fuels, technologies and operational measures and matches that with forecasts for the world’s key trade lanes to envision what shipping may look like in 2030 and 2050, says ABS.

The second of two ‘Outlook’ documents – the first was published in June 2019 – it applies what ABS currently knows about existing and future fuels to project which energy source could be best suited for each trade lane and what that may mean for the design of the vessels working them, adds the bureau.

“Maritime’s decarbonization challenge can be regarded as a complex riddle with three elements: vessel energy efficient technologies, operational optimization and low and zero carbon or carbon neutral fuels,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

“All elements have a role to play, but we have identified that the rate of shipping’s transition to lower carbon fuels will have the single biggest impact on its global carbon footprint; more than any predictable shifts in commodity demand, enhancements to operating practices, vessel routings, or ship designs. 

“The models in our research suggest our industry will meet the targets for the reduction in carbon intensity by 2050, but it might miss the target for the total GHG emitted annually. In short, there is a gap between the industry’s present course, and its stated ambition.”

The Outlook’s approach was supported by Maersk, adds ABS.

“In Maersk, we have for more than a decade been industry leaders in CO2 efficiency, and we have set ourselves the bold target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050,” comments Palle B. Laursen, Maersk Chief Technical Officer.

“To bring this ambition to life, we need to bring the first commercially viable carbon neutral vessel into operation by 2030 already, which can only happen if we work together across the industry and supply chain, which is why the research from ABS on decarbonization pathways and what shipping may look like in the future is well timed.”

ABS says it collaborated with Maritime Strategies International (MSI) to create a global scenario for the future CO2 emissions from shipping, which takes into account the future variation of fuels used in vessels, as well as the decarbonization of different industrial sectors on which shipping depends. 

ABS adds it also worked with Herbert Engineering Corp. (HEC) to develop a series of tanker, bulk carrier and container ship design concepts to explore practical options for meeting IMO greenhouse gas goals.

The Bureau shares that research in the Outlook suggests, on the current trajectory, petroleum-based fuels will still have considerable market share by 2050, which has significant implications for meeting the emissions challenge

To hear more from ABS sustainability experts on carbon reduction strategies for shipping, register for their upcoming webinar here.

Download a copy of Setting the Course to Low Carbon Shipping here.


Photo credit: ABS
Published: 20 April, 2020

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Methanol

China: Chimbusco completes bunkering op with domestically produced green methanol

Chimbusco delivered 1,000 mt of domestically produced green methanol bunker fuel to “COSCO Shipping Yangpu”, China’s first 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship, from 11 to 12 July.

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China: Chimbusco completes bunkering op with domestically produced green methanol

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co Ltd (Chimbusco) on Monday (14 July) said it successfully completed a green methanol bunkering operation for COSCO Shipping’s first methanol-dual-fuel container vessel at Shengdong Terminal in Yangshan Port. 

Chimbusco delivered 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of domestically produced green methanol fuel to COSCO Shipping Yangpu from 11 to 12 July. 

COSCO Shipping Yangpu is the first methanol-dual-fuel container vessel invested and built by COSCO Shipping Group. The company previously deemed the vessel China’s first 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship. 

 With an overall length of 366 meters and a beam of 51 metres, it has a maximum container capacity of 16,136 TEUs. 

The vessel employs an advanced dual-fuel propulsion system that enables flexible switching between methanol and traditional fuels. When using green methanol as fuel, it significantly reduces carbon emissions and pollutant discharges during operations, injecting strong impetus into the green transformation of China’s shipping industry.

“This green methanol bunkering operation, jointly completed by COSCO Shipping Lines, CHIMBUSCO, and SIPG Energy Shanghai, represents another proactive exploration by CHIMBUSCO in the field of green methanol bunkering at Shanghai Port,” Chimbusco said.

“It also marks another significant step by COSCO Shipping Group in advancing the green and low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry and integrating the entire methanol supply chain.”

“As a leading domestic marine fuel supplier, CHIMBUSCO actively responded to shipowners’ demand for green methanol bunkering and worked closely with COSCO Shipping Lines, SIPG Energy Shanghai and other entities to develop a detailed supply plan and emergency response plan in advance, in accordance with relevant bunkering standards for marine methanol fuel.”

Manifold Times previously reported Chimbusco completing a methanol bunkering operation of the same vessel in Shanghai on 11 May. 

COSCO SHIPPING YANGPU was supplied approximately 900 mt of methanol marine fuel by Chimbusco at Pier 1 of COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry. 

Related: Chimbusco completes bunkering op of China’s first 16,000K TEU methanol DF boxship
Related: COSCO Shipping names China’s first 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Dalian
Published: 17 July 2025

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Methanol

Shanghai Electric starts producing first batch green methanol bunker fuel with new plant

New batch of green methanol will soon arrive at Shanghai Port and be delivered to CMA CGM to enter the international market as a marine fuel.

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Shanghai Electric starts producing first batch green methanol bunker fuel with new plant

Shanghai Electric on Thursday (17 July) announced its Jilin Taonan Green Methanol Project, China’s first facility to fully integrate wind-to-hydrogen with biomass gasification, is now producing its first batch of ISCC-EU certified green methanol.

This batch of green methanol will soon arrive at Shanghai Port and be delivered to CMA CGM to enter the international market as a marine fuel.

The company said the milestone event marked a major national breakthrough in the field of green hydrogen-based fuels. 

Shanghai Electric will use this project as a catalyst to build a world-leading, full-industry-chain platform for green fuels, to accelerate the development of an integrated industrial ecosystem encompassing green energy, green hydrogen, green methanol and green applications.

The company will continuously improve new energy power generation, water electrolysis for hydrogen production, biomass gasification, carbon capture, green ammonia, and to promote the large-scale application of green fuels in shipping, aviation, chemical industry and other fields.

At a ceremony, Cai Dong, member of the Standing Committee of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee and Executive Vice Governor, launched the start of production of the fuel. 

As the first large-scale commercial green methanol project in China, the Taonan project has an annual production capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes in the first phase.

“It is the first green methanol project in China to pass the EU ISCC full-process certification and to market to the international market,” the company said. 

 

Photo credit: Shanghai Electric
Published: 17 July 2025

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Ammonia

Bureau Veritas to classify world’s first 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel

‘We’re proud to support this first-of-its-kind ammonia bunkering vessel, which represents real progress toward scaling up the infrastructure for zero-carbon fuels,’ says Matthieu de Tugny of BV Marine & Offshore.

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Bureau Veritas to classify world’s first 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel

Classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) on Monday (14 July) announced that its Marine and Offshore division will classify the world’s first 5,000 cubic metre (m3) ammonia bunkering vessel.

The vessel will be built by Sasaki Shipbuilding (Sasaki) and expected to be delivered around September 2027. 

“The project marks a significant step forward in establishing the infrastructure required to support ammonia as a next-generation marine fuel,” BV said on its website. 

The vessel will be classed in accordance with Bureau Veritas’ rigorous standards for safety, sustainability, and innovation, including NR 620 – Rules for Bunkering Ships, and NR 467 – Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships. 

The vessel will also be eligible for SW-Registry and CYBER RESILIENT additional class notations, underscoring its data security protection credentials and in compliance with IACS UR E26 & UR E27.

“This groundbreaking project builds on the long-term collaboration between Bureau Veritas and Sasaki in supporting the development and adoption of new fuels, such as ammonia, as part of our shared mission to drive environmental stewardship and innovation across the maritime industry,” BV added.

Matthieu de Tugny, Executive Vice President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “Our long-standing relationship with Sasaki is built on shared ambition for safe, sustainable innovation in shipbuilding. We’re proud to support this first-of-its-kind ammonia bunkering vessel, which represents real progress toward scaling up the infrastructure for zero-carbon fuels.”

Manifold Times previously reported ITOCHU Corporation signing a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel with Sasaki Shipbuilding.

The contract was one of the agreements that were concluded to pursue the Demonstration Project for Bunkering Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan as part of the Global South Future-oriented Co-Creation Project (large-scale demonstration in ASEAN member states). 

The vessel will be flagged under the Singapore Registry.

Related: ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

 

Photo credit: Bureau Veritas
Published: 17 July 2025

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