Alternative Fuels

Argus Media: Cop 27: Green corridors target delayed by one year

Key maritime stakeholders have delayed by one year a target of at least six zero-emission maritime routes by 2025 that was agreed at the UN Cop 26 climate summit in 2021.

Published

2 years ago

November 30, 2022

Admin

17 November, 2022

Key maritime stakeholders have delayed by one year a target of at least six zero-emission maritime routes by 2025 that was agreed at the UN Cop 26 climate summit in 2021.

But the first Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors, released today, has pushed this to 2026.

The report also expands key decarbonisation targets for the maritime sector that were left undecided at Cop 26. By 2030, the partners plan for 5pc of maritime fuels in use to be scalable zero-emission fuels, and for 20 ports in three continents to provide these fuels to at least 200 vessels on major deep-sea routes.

Since the Clydebank Declaration in 2021, 21 initiatives have been announced for the establishment of zero-emission maritime routes. Most of these were from Europe, and the majority were on short-sea shipping routes in the Baltic and North Seas. Deep-sea routes have been announced, including between Rotterdam and Singapore, Los Angeles and Shanghai, Antwerp and Montreal, and between Australia and east Asia.

"I think we can say — maybe not surprisingly since we are only one year away from Cop 26 — that most of the projects are still in the early phases" said the Global Maritime Forum's head of institutional strategy and development Kasper Sogaard. While noting that some initiatives have moved to feasibility studies, he said, "we really need to see… that movement accelerating because as we all know, we don't have a lot of time".

One of the challenges to progress raised by the report is a lack of a decision on which alternative marine fuels to deploy. The largest share of initiatives do not indicate any alternative fuel, with methanol and ammonia jointly the second most referenced option. Sogaard said "the jury is still out".

Added to the question of fuel is the pressure of prices. The most recent Argus assessed prices for alternative marine fuels puts green ammonia in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) area at a $2,091/t premium to very-low sulphur fuel oil, and biomethanol at a $2,022/t premium to the same. Stakeholders involved in green corridors projects are calling on governments to create policies to fund the difference between alternative and conventional marine fuels. Like the fuels themselves, there is not yet a consensus on how this is to be done.

In June the European Parliament approved a draft legal report on the inclusion of vessels above 400 gross tonnage in its Emission Trading System (ETS). Maritime industry groups responded by calling for revenues raised to be invested back into maritime decarbonisation including support for low- or zero-carbon fuels. The draft legal report requires member states to agree before it is adopted as law.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has market-based measures for alternative fuels are on the agenda for its 79th Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 79) meeting in December.

By James Marriott

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 30 November, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

New vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

Global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther on Wednesday (19 March) said Hong Kong-based ferry operator Sun Ferry has taken delivery of Xin Ming Zhu 30, a new, 35-metre diesel-electric ferry.

The new vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, is the third vessel to join a fleet of seven new vessels designed by Incat Crowther for the mass transit operator.

The vessel will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong, connecting Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau.

The 300-seat passenger ferry boasts Veth azimuth thrusters that provide high manoeuvrability at operating speeds of 14 knots. The adoption of this technology makes the vessel suitable for berthing at piers on inter island routes.

The vessel is also fitted with 72 solar panels providing 7.5 kilowatts of on-board power.

Sam Mackay, Technical Manager at Incat Crowther, said: "This vessel reflects Sun Ferry’s commitment to future focused design solutions that not only meet operational needs, but that exceed customer expectations.”

“With diesel-electric propulsion, solar technology, and passenger-centric design, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable and efficient ferry services in Hong Kong.”

The delivery of the 35-metre hybrid vessel follows the delivery of two 45-metre conventional diesel-powered vessels to Sun Ferry. The final three vessels, all 45-metre vessels, will be delivered by the end of 2025. All vessels in the fleet have been designed by Incat Crowther and built by AFAI Southern Shipyard.

Photo credit: Incat Crowther
Published: 20 March, 2025

Biofuel

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Company supplied the bio bunker fuel, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, to “BBC Lisbon” at Port of Aveiro on 3 March and to “ANNA” at Port of Leixões on 18 March.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Biofuels producer PRIO on Wednesday (19 March) said it carried out Eco Bunkers B30 fuel deliveries to shipping company Briese Chartering in collaboration with its partner UFS Unites Fuel Services this month.

On 3 March, PRIO supplied the biofuel to cargo vessel BBC Lisbon at the Port of Aveiro and to another cargo vessel, ANNA, at the Port of Leixões on 18 March.

“With these two Eco Bunkers B30 deliveries, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, PRIO enabled Briese Chartering to reduce around 60 tons of CO2 in just two port calls in Portugal,” it said in a social media post.

“Produced at PRIO’s Aveiro plant, biodiesel has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 88% compared to fossil fuels.”

“PRIO has been demonstrating its commitment to decarbonising the maritime sector by supplying more sustainable products, ranging from 1% to 100% renewable content.”

Manifold Times previously reported PRIO launching its ECO Bunkers B30 biofuel in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and World Fuel Services.

PRIO previously launched ECO Bunkers B15, a green fuel for ships with 15% biodiesel and the company then launched a 20% biofuel blend, ECO Bunkers E20.

Photo credit: PRIO
Published: 20 March, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

Gasum’s LNG bunker vessel “Coralius” made its 920th LNG delivery to “Höegh Sunlight”, a brand new PCTC, with a capacity of 9100 CEU, at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden on 10 March.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

Energy company Gasum on Wednesday (19 March) announced its delivery of liquified natural gas (LNG) to a car carrier during a simultaneous bunkering and cargo operation (SIMOPS) at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden.

The company said it was the first ever LNG delivery to Höegh Sunlight at the Logent Car Terminal on 10 March 2025.

Gasum’s LNG bunker vessel Coralius made its 920th LNG delivery to Höegh Sunlight, a brand new Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), with a capacity of 9100 CEU, during a ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

The company did not specify the amount of LNG supplied to the vessel.

The delivery was a collaboration between Gasum, Glander International, Höegh Autoliners, the Port of Gothenburg and Sirius Agency.

Photo credit: Gasum
Published: 20 March, 2025