Port & Regulatory

Argus Media: US signals support for LNG in IMO net-zero rules

US could support an IMO NZF that recognises LNG and bio-LNG as qualifying fuels, Federal Maritime Commission chairman Laura DiBella said, signalling Washington’s possible position for IMO’s MEPC.

Published

38 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Admin

The US could support an International Maritime Organization (IMO) net-zero framework (NZF) that recognises LNG and bio-LNG as qualifying fuels, Federal Maritime Commission chairman Laura DiBella said, signalling Washington’s possible position for the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) extraordinary session in December 2026.

22 August 2026

The statement suggests the US could work with a revised NZF rather than oppose any global framework for cutting shipping emissions. This could ease market concerns that Washington might reject all versions of the framework and obstruct the IMO’s attempt to advance maritime decarbonization. Any viable version of the IMO’s NZF must allow the “maximum range” of alternative fuels, including LNG and bio-LNG, DiBella said in a statement.

“Efforts toward emissions reductions must be linked explicitly to demonstrated viability and realistic availability of alternative fuels, not a pre-determined, rigid implementation date or limited fuel options,” she said. Alternative fuels must meet agreed criteria for affordability, global availability and scalability, while conventional and transitional fuels should remain in use, she added.

The US has opposed the NZF in its current form, arguing that it could impose high costs on shipping, energy producers and consumers, while favoring expensive fuels that have not shown sufficient availability or commercial viability.

A US submission ahead of the IMO’s MEPC 84th session in late April in London called for an approach without carbon taxes, fuel-type restrictions or penalties against existing propulsion technologies. But DiBella’s comments show conditions under which US concerns could be addressed, with LNG and bio-LNG at the core of that position.

Discussions on emissions cuts must include both fuels, which could “realistically supply over 60pc of global maritime fuel by 2050”, DiBella said. Bio-LNG can use existing LNG infrastructure and serve the expanding fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels, avoiding some costs of building a new fuel supply chain, she added.

A global fuel standard could also provide long-term demand certainty to support investment and expand bio-LNG supply, particularly in the US, DiBella said. The policy challenge, therefore, is not to abandon alternative fuels because future demand may increase their price, but rather it is to design a framework that allows supply and infrastructure investment to grow alongside demand, she said.

The US is the world’s largest natural gas producer and LNG exporter. US dry gas output rose by more than 4pc to a record 39 trillion ft³ in 2025, while LNG exports increased from around 500mn ft³/d in 2016 to 15bn ft³/d last year

The US Energy Information Administration expects exports to exceed 18.1bn ft³/d in 2027, supported by new liquefaction capacity.

The IMO approved the NZF at MEPC 83 in April 2025, including a global marine fuel standard and a greenhouse gas emissions pricing mechanism. But members adjourned the extraordinary MEPC session on formal adoption in October 2025 and agreed to reconvene after 12 months to allow more time to build consensus.

By Gabriel Tassi Lara

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 24 August, 2026

Up Next

Sunoil Biodiesel inland barge “Birjo II” successfully runs on B100 bio bunker fuel

Don't Miss

Maran Tankers Management takes delivery of fourth LNG dual-fuel tanker

Ammonia

Mitsui E&S commercialises ammonia dual-fuel engines and fuel supply systems

Company says it has established a supply framework for marine propulsion systems aimed at the practical implementation of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Published

20 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Admin

Mitsui E&S commercialises ammonia dual-fuel engines and fuel supply systems

Mitsui E&S on Thursday (20 August) said it has completed the commercialisation of large ammonia dual-fuel marine engines and ammonia fuel supply systems (AFSS).

As the only company in Japan manufacturing both ammonia dual fuel engines and AFSS, the company said it has established a supply framework for marine propulsion systems aimed at the practical implementation of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

“While ammonia holds promise as a next-generation fuel that emits no carbon dioxide during combustion, it is difficult to ignite and poses risks related to toxicity and corrosiveness; therefore, ensuring safety, reliability, and environmental performance is crucial for its practical implementation in society,” it said.

In February, Mitsui E&S conducted land-based tests involving the integrated operation of the Ammonia dual fuel engine MITSUI-Everllence B&W 7S60ME-C10.5-LGIA-HPSCR and the AFSS, witnessed by ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai), and verified their performance.

Following the completion of the tests and the subsequent review, Mitsui E&S confirmed the completion of onshore testing in accordance with classification society rules and verified compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) NOx regulations through NOx certification.

“Consequently, we have finalised the commercialisation of the ammonia dual fuel engines and the AFSS and are now able to supply it for actual vessels,” it added.

Mitsui E&S said it has already decided to expand its land-based testing facilities for AFSS compatible with both Everllence and WinGD licensed engines.

“In conjunction with this, we will establish a mass-production system for both the engines and the AFSS to meet the anticipated rise in demand,” it said.

Mitsui E&S added the company is expanding its engine lineup to accommodate a diverse range of next-generation marine fuels, including ammonia, by offering ammonia-fuelled engines and AFSS as an integrated package.

Photo credit: Mitsui E&S
Published: 24 August, 2026

Biofuel

Sunoil Biodiesel inland barge “Birjo II” successfully runs on B100 bio bunker fuel

The barge is now successfully running on Dutch-produced Sunoil B100 while transporting biodiesel between Sunoil’s locations and customers, says Jeroen Hovius, CCO at Sunoil.

Published

36 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Admin

Dutch inland barge “Birjo II” to fully operate on B100 bio bunker fuel

Biofuel producer Sunoil Biodiesel on Friday (21 August) said its inland barge, Birjo II, has been running successfully on B100, since the conversion of the barge.

The conversion of the barge to run on B100 was done in collaboration with BFT Tanker Logistics.

The Birjo II, owned by DK Shipping, is a large barge used for transporting biofuels on Dutch inland waterways. It is primarily used for transporting biodiesel from Sunoil’s production facility in Kampen to its storage locations, while also carrying out direct deliveries to customers.

By transitioning from fossil fuel to B100, the barge can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% while continuing normal operations without replacing the engine itself.

“Following its conversion from fossil fuel operation, the Birjo II has since started operating on 100% biodiesel (B100), and the experience in day-to-day operations is looking positive,” the company said in a social media post.

Johann de Koning, General Manager at BFT Tanker Logistics, said: “So far, everything is running quite well. The filter system is being monitored closely and, at this stage, the results are better than we had anticipated.”

Jeroen Hovius, CCO at Sunoil, said: “This milestone marks an important next step for Sunoil and BFT. The barge is now successfully running on our own Dutch-produced Sunoil B100 while transporting biodiesel between our locations and customers, putting renewable fuel into practice in day-to-day inland shipping operations.”

Photo credit: Sunoil Biodiesel
Published: 24 August, 2026

Newbuilding

Maran Tankers Management takes delivery of fourth LNG dual-fuel tanker

Company announced the delivery of “MARAN MYRSINI”, the fourth LNG dual-fuel Suezmax oil tanker in its series, which was built by New Times Shipbuilding Co Ltd and sails under the Greek Flag.

Published

40 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Admin

Maran Tankers Management takes delivery of fourth LNG dual-fuel tanker

Maran Tankers Management, part of Greek shipping company Angelicoussis Group, on Thursday (20 August) announced the delivery of MARAN MYRSINI, the fourth LNG dual-fuel Suezmax oil tanker in its series.

The 155,500 DWT vessel was built by New Times Shipbuilding Co Ltd and sails under the Greek Flag.

The vessel’s delivery marked another important step in the continued expansion of Maran Tankers’ modern and energy-efficient fleet.

“MARAN MYRSINI incorporates an optimised hull form, advanced energy-saving devices, efficient BOG management, and a shaft generator arrangement, contributing to lower fuel consumption and improved operational performance,” the company said in a social media post.

“We sincerely thank everyone involved in her successful construction and delivery, wishing MARAN MYRSINI and her crew fair winds and calm seas.”

Photo credit: Angelicoussis Group
Published: 24 August, 2026