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Bunker Fuel

Baltimore bridge collapse: FuelTrust highlights bunkering activities of Singapore-registered “Dali”

Vessel refuelled in Shanghai, followed by Korea, before heading through the Panama Canal to Baltimore; fuel was indeed taken on in Baltimore and fuel in use at time of the incident was MGO.
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MPA: Singapore-registered ship in Baltimore bridge crash passed previous foreign port state inspections

Maritime technology firm FuelTrust on Thursday (28 March) responded to questions regarding Singapore-registered container vessel Dali, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge at the Port of Baltimore, including its bunkering activities before the incident:

The recent incident involving the Dali cargo ship, which lost power and propulsion leaving port and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing its collapse, has brought to light the vital importance of insightful fuel analysis and supply chain visibility.

Over the last 24 hours, we have heard from many ship operators, fuel suppliers, and insurers – all eager that such risks can be alleviated, recognizing that “good enough” on paper doesn’t always translate to safety at sea. 

The reality is that a more robust supply chain visibility, along with ship and engine-specific pre-usage analysis is going to be needed – especially as the industry is beginning to experiment with new low-carbon fuels and bioblends.

The Dali is not a client, meaning we don’t have the direct data on the fuel mix in its tanks and engine status, but our visibility to the fuel supply chain provides us some insight into the mishap. While we anticipate sharing more information soon, here’s what we’ve found thus far:

The Dali refuelled in Shanghai, followed by Korea, before heading through the Panama Canal to Baltimore. Our checks reveal no refuelling in Panama, supported by satellite data. In Baltimore, fuel was indeed taken on, but protocols dictate a waiting period for lab test results and additional time for fuel settling before usage. 

The fuel in use at the incident was Marine Gas Oil (DMA), a standard choice worldwide for in-port or environmentally sensitive operations. It met all required specifications by international and national authorities, tested by an ISO certified fuel lab to ISO 8217:2015 standards. Despite meeting test specifications, early indications from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) point to the loss of propulsion and power caused by fuel issues.

We do not yet know if the fuel was procured by the vessel charterer (Maersk) or by the owner (Grace Ocean), or the crew/vessel operator (Synergy Marine). The vessel did have an inspection citation in June of 2023 (in San Antonio, Chile) for issues with certain thermometers and gauges, but was passed for safety at sea use. Maersk has an incredibly robust safety regime, and Synergy has ISO certified crew and safety protocols. 

It is typically the charterer (the company leasing the vessel) responsible for fuel purchases and the fuel supplier’s (seller) assurance of the fuel quality to meet specifications, which the on-board test results appear to have passed. 

Yet, standard tests and certifications do not guarantee fuel performance for every ship in every condition. With a 99% success rate, the remaining 1% harbours extreme risks.

In 2023 alone, over 120 power or propulsion losses at sea were attributed to fuel issues. These often go unnoticed by the public, masked by the swift action of crews at sea, far from the public eye. When they do become visible, unfortunately, it’s usually due to catastrophic impacts such as this, where lives were lost, and likely billions of dollars of economic impact will be felt in the area. 

We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Related: Baltimore bridge crash: Safety investigation to include contaminated bunker fuel as possible cause
Related: MPA: Singapore-registered ship in Baltimore bridge crash passed previous foreign port state inspections

 

Photo credit: Baltimore County Fire Department
Published: 1 April 2024

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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July 21, 2026

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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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