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Bio-LNG is becoming a reality and its use is widespread, says SEA-LNG

Use of LBM or bio-LNG, is widespread, with bunkers being delivered to the cruise sector, container lines, ferries, OSVs, car carriers, tankers, bulkers and small-scale LNG carriers over the past 12 months.

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Bio-LNG is becoming a reality and its use is widespread, says SEA-LNG

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Monday (21 July) published a new report titled ‘The LNG Pathway: Mid-Year Market Review’ – evaluating the state of play for LNG, liquefied biomethane (LBM), and e-methane – as well as presenting initial analysis of why LNG dual-fuel engines offer the best returns under the IMO Net-Zero Framework.

Following the trajectory of 2024, demand for LNG-fuelled vessels has continued in 2025. In the first six months of 2025, 87 new LNG dual fuel vessels were ordered, up from 53 in the corresponding period in 2024. There is now a total of 1,369 LNG dual fuel vessels in operation and on order, according to data from SEA-LNG member DNV.

Most of the 2025 orders have been for large container ships, with the gross tonnage of these vessels amounting to 14.2 million GT versus 4.1 million GT in 2024. There were notable orders in the first six  months of 2025 from SEA-LNG member MSC, as well as ONE, Capital Maritime, CMA CGM, Evergreen Marine and TMS Group.

LNG bunkering volumes continue to expand as well. In Q1 2025, volumes in Rotterdam increased by 7% compared with the same period in 2024 and Singapore reported 18% growth over the first five months of 2025 versus 2024. LNG bunkering is developing rapidly in the Western Mediterranean and China too, with volumes increasing by over 60% in Shanghai in the first five months of 2025 versus that period in 2024.

Steve Esau, chief operating officer, SEA-LNG, said: “As LNG infrastructure continues to expand at pace, LBM, or bio-LNG, is also becoming a reality, with biomethane bunkering growing rapidly in Europe, driven mainly by regulations such as FuelEU Maritime. LBM is a central next step along the LNG pathway towards decarbonisation. It’s chemically identical to LNG, and fully compatible as a drop-in fuel for existing LNG engines with no blending issues, unlike biodiesel and fuel oils.

“The use of LBM is widespread, with bunkers being delivered to the cruise sector, container lines, ferries, OSVs, car carriers, tankers, bulkers and small-scale LNG carriers over the past 12 months. Bunkering operations have already taken place in key ports across Belgium, France, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK, involving at least seven major bunker suppliers.”

The Mid-Year Market Review also includes SEA-LNG’s initial analysis of the commercial implications of the IMO Net-Zero Framework using Z-Joule’s POOL.FM evaluation model. The analysis used GHG intensity and fuel price assumptions from DNV, published by the IMO, and market intelligence on CapEx.

The analysis shows that both high-pressure and low-pressure LNG dual fuel engines offer a relative payback period of about 4.5 to 5 years compared with VLSFO for a 14,000 TEU container vessel operating a trans-Pacific route, from Japan to the US West Coast. Ammonia- and methanol-fuelled vessels do not payback over the 15-year investment horizon.

The LNG pathway’s lower costs of compliance are driven by the fact that it offers immediate GHG reductions while ammonia and methanol dual fuel vessels must either buy large quantities of expensive green versions of those fuels to comply, from day one, or use VLSFO and pay for remedial units.

Peter Keller, chairman, SEA-LNG, said: “The costs of compliance analysis shows that the LNG pathway offers the best returns under the MEPC 83 IMO Net-Zero Framework. But more than that, this route offers shipowners and operators access to widespread global infrastructure, fuel optionality, local emissions reductions and a proven safety record for seafarers and port workers.”

“These are the practical points our industry must consider and prioritise to realistically achieve its climate targets.”

 

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 22 July, 2025

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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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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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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