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Argus Media: Japan to back ammonia bunkering infrastructure building

Number of Japanese firms are looking into developing ammonia-fuelled vessels and ammonia bunkering infrastructure in Japan and abroad.

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Rieko Suda of global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus Media on Monday (24 May) published a report highlighting the ammonia bunkering ambitions of Japan:

Japan is considering providing support for development of ammonia bunkering infrastructure as part of efforts to launch ammonia-fuelled commercial ships by 2028 under Tokyo’s roadmap to decarbonise by 2050.

The transport ministry today proposed subsidising the research and development (R&D) of hydrogen- and ammonia-fuelled vessels using part of the government’s ¥2 trillion ($18bn) green innovation fund earmarked to help achieve Japan’s 2050 decarbonisation goal. The subsidy is expected to help enhance the international competitiveness of Japanese shipbuilders and ship equipment producers and promote the use of zero-emission vessels after 2030.

The ministry is targeting to commercialise ammonia-fuelled vessels by 2028 or earlier as its first-generation zero-emission vessel. It has proposed providing finding for the development of ammonia-fuelled marine engines, ammonia storage and fuelling system for ships, as well as ammonia refuelling infrastructure, including an ammonia bunkering vessel, in efforts to meet the targeted commercial launch of the ships.

This is in line with the country’s roadmap unveiled last year to launch zero-emission vessels by 2028 to assist the global shipping industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

The ministry added that it is essential to back ammonia bunkering infrastructure building to assist Japanese shipping and shipbuilding firms in fast-tracking commercialisation of ammonia-fuelled vessels on the back of an intensifying global race for development of the carbon-neutral ship.

Growing competition with Chinese and South Korean shipbuilders has forced a wave of consolidation in the Japanese shipbuilding industry to enhance its competitiveness. Japanese shipbuilders are now accelerating development of greener and zero-emission vessels in efforts to ride out a tough market and tap potential growth in the global decarbonization movement.

A number of Japanese firms are looking into developing ammonia-fuelled vessels and ammonia bunkering infrastructure in Japan and abroad. Japanese joint venture Nihon Shipyard in March completed a concept design of an ammonia-fuelled very-large crude carrier.

The transport ministry is considering funding the development of hydrogen-fuelled marine engines and hydrogen fuelling systems, targeting to complete a demonstration project of hydrogen-fuelled vessels by 2030. It is also planning to subsidise R&D for technologies to achieve a 60pc reduction in methane slippage from LNG-fuelled marine engines by 2026, as use of LNG as a marine fuel is on the rise during the transition to carbon-neutral fuels.

A group of Japanese marine engine makers last month agreed to form a joint venture to develop hydrogen-fuelled engines for large commercial vessels operating on domestic and international routes.

 

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 25 May, 2021

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.

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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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