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Clean Tyne Shipping Corridor project outlines port’s green methanol bunkering hub ambition

Study explores current use of alternative bunker fuels in the shipping industry, and challenges the sector faces in transitioning from conventional fuels to net zero carbon fuels.

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Dr Eleni Bougioukou

The Port of Tyne, working with Connected Places Catapult and partners Arup, Lloyds Register, EDF R&D UK, Newcastle University and the North East LEP, on Tuesday (19 September) published the results of a feasibility study looking at the decarbonisation of the maritime industry through the creation of green shipping corridors, and the adoption of scalable zero-emission energy sources.

The Clean Tyne Shipping Corridor Project – funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 2 (CMDC2) – sets out the opportunities and economic and environmental benefits of creating a new, green shipping corridor from North-East England that links the region with the European Green Corridors Network

The study also explores the current use of alternative bunker fuels in the shipping industry, and some of the challenges the sector faces in transitioning from conventional fuels to net zero carbon fuels like methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia.

It is hoped the study, and the accompanying roadmap, will create opportunities for UK ports – including the Port of Tyne – to lead shipping’s transition to net zero, which currently accounts for approximately 3% of annual CO2 emissions globally.

Dr Eleni Bougioukou, Innovation Manager at the Port of Tyne, said: “Through The Clean Tyne Shipping Corridor Project we have been investigating what technology, infrastructure investment, and interventions are needed to create a green shipping corridor from the Port of Tyne to Rotterdam using renewable methanol.

“One of the biggest challenges we have found is the current cost differential between conventional and zero emissions fuels. The cost of alternative fuels in the maritime sector is prohibiting the pace of decarbonisation. There is also a need for greater investment in research, innovation, and digital adoption to help improve technologies that increase productivity throughout green corridors, ensuring they generate a positive return on investment.

“Despite some of the challenges, green corridors provide a huge opportunity to transform the current model of shipping by investing in staff, skills, and infrastructure. Working collaboratively to develop and share facilities, aggregate demand for future fuels, and align funding strategies, we can position the UK at the forefront of green shipbuilding and maritime technology.”

The study explores the technical, strategic, and commercial barriers and enablers to creating a green shipping corridor in North-East England. It goes on to look at the economic and regulatory feasibility of the project, and the opportunities to attract inward investment.

The Clean Tyne Shipping Corridor Roadmap outlines a series of milestones and activities that the Port of Tyne, its customers, and the green methanol supply chain, will need to deliver to establish the Port as a green methanol bunkering hub.

Compiled through stakeholder engagement, literature review, and analysis of port and vessel-calling data, The Clean Tyne Shipping Corridor Project provides the roadmap to create more green shipping corridors in ports across the UK and encourage the early adoption of alternatives to petroleum-based fuels in the maritime industry.

The study shows that a holistic view of the fuel production, bunkering and vessel system is required to examine the opportunities at the Port of Tyne and regionally. There’s an opportunity for the NE to be a leader in UK maritime decarbonisation, with the right public and private actions. We’re looking forward to seeing ideas translate to action in the near term!”

The Clean Tyne Shipping Corridor project was awarded over £390k of UK Government funding from Round 2 of Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC2). It aims to establish at least one of the six green corridors pledged in the Clydebank Declaration at COP26 by 2025.

The full report is available to read at https://cp.catapult.org.uk/report/clean-tyne-shipping-corridor-roadmap/

Photo credit: Port of Tyne
Published: 26 September 2023

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

4.59 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 7.5% on year in June 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.59 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,594,700 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt (4,274,900 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 1.70 million mt (+8.6% from 1.56 million mt), 2.31 million mt (-7.2% from 2.33 million mt), 1,900 mt (from zero), 4,500 mt (-88% from 8,000 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 38,800 mt (+671.7% from 2,500 mt), 114,300 mt (+97.9% from 45,400 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,000 mt of deliveries in June.

LNG and methanol sales were respectively 55,400 mt (-7.8% from 51,700) and zero (from zero mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

Related: Singapore: Bunker sales volume raises to year record high of 4.88 million mt in May
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 8.1% on year in February 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes reported by Manifold Times tracked since 2018 can be found via the link here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 July 2025

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Business

S@S Week 2025: Singapore conducts chemical spill exercise to gear up for methanol bunkering

Exercise simulated a methanol spill from a collision involving a methanol-carrying tanker off Singapore’s southern coast, triggering a multi-agency response which included spill containment.

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RESIZED bunker tanker singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (15 July) conducted a multi-agency chemical spill exercise to strengthen Singapore’s operational readiness, as part of the International Safety@Sea (S@S) Week. 

MPA is organising the 12th edition of the S@S Week, with this year’s event being the international edition, taking place from 15 to 18 July 2025. 

Conducted off Singapore’s southern coast, the exercise involved 11 vessels and over 150 personnel from more than 10 government agencies and industry partners. Mr Murali, Mr Dominguez and Secretary-General, International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation, Mr Francis Zachariae, observed the exercise.

The exercise simulated a methanol spill from a collision involving a methanol-carrying tanker, triggering a multi-agency response. This included coordinated efforts for spill containment and the evacuation of injured crew. A range of drone-enabled technologies was trialled during the exercise, including 3D imaging to assess vessel damage and a water curtain misting system to limit the spread of chemical plumes. An Uncrewed Surface Vehicle was also deployed to monitor air quality, reducing the need for responders to enter hazardous zones to perform such monitoring. The Maritime Digital Twin and chemical plume modelling tools were used to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making throughout the exercise.

The exercise is part of MPA’s broader preparations for methanol bunkering and provided a valuable opportunity for agencies and industry partners to better understand the safety and operational challenges, and potential solutions, in handling alternative fuels. Following an open call in March 2025, MPA has received 13 applications for methanol bunker supplier licenses, reflecting strong industry interest in supplying methanol on a commercial scale in Singapore. MPA is evaluating the applications and targets to issue the licenses in Q4 2025, which will cover the period from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. 

Themed ‘The Future of Maritime Safety: Navigating the Next Frontier’, the annual event brings together local and international maritime experts, and the maritime community to promote awareness and facilitate discussions on maritime safety. 

Speaking at the opening today, Mr Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, said that the maritime sector is facing increasingly complex global challenges, including heightened geopolitical tensions, climate change, and rapid transformation in digitalisation and decarbonisation. He highlighted that we can tackle these challenges by (i) equipping our workforce for future challenges, (ii) harnessing collective expertise through close collaborations and partnerships, and (iii) drawing upon technology and innovation to augment our capabilities. 

In his keynote address, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), underscored the need for robust safety frameworks and regulations as the maritime landscape evolves. He cited Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships and new ship designs and systems using sustainable marine fuels as examples of how the maritime sector is transforming and outlined IMO’s priorities in those areas. Mr Dominguez also highlighted the importance of government-industry collaboration and initiatives like the Safety@Sea Singapore Campaign to foster a safety-first culture at sea.  

This year’s conference features 19 speakers across three plenaries. Discussions will focus on issues shaping the future of maritime safety, including lessons learned from past incidents, and the human element in ensuring safety as the industry transforms. A new Safety@Sea Community Conversations event will also bring together representatives from shipping companies, regional ferry operators, harbour craft operators and terminal operators to share their experiences and efforts in fostering a safety culture in their organisations. 

Over 1,800 participants from more than 40 countries are expected to participate in the week’s sessions. Other highlights include the Responders Plus Programme (RPP) Maritime Workshop jointly organised by MPA and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, and two safety forums organised by the MPA-Harbour Craft and MPA-Pleasure Craft Safety Work Groups to promote safety awareness and best practices within the local maritime community. 

MPA is also enhancing safety across other areas of port operations. In collaboration with Skyports Drone Services, TFG Marine and CBS Ventures, MPA and the partners will complete Singapore’s first shore-to-ship drone trials for delivery and retrieval operations from bunker tankers later this week. 

The use of drones reduces reliance on harbour craft for such operations, improving efficiency while reducing pollution and congestion. 

It also minimises safety risks by removing the need for crew to handle and transfer heavy items between the ship and shore using harbour craft. Safety considerations, including the management of electrostatic discharge risks during the drone operations, are carefully reviewed in preparation for the trials. 

Findings from these trials will inform the development of safety protocols and an operational framework to support the phased implementation of this new maritime service.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 15 July 2025

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Newbuilding

China: Steel cutting ceremony for methanol bunkering tanker “Lucia Cosulich” held

A steel cutting ceremony was held for the 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 chemical bunker tanker at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard, China.

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Lucia Cosulich

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Wednesday (9 July) announced the steel cutting ceremony of Lucia Cosulich, a 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 chemical bunker tanker – the second vessel in a series of four – at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard, China.

“This milestone marks another bold step in our Marine Energy business unit’s commitment to clean fuel readiness and operational excellence,” said the company.

The vessel will be fully methanol-ready, capable of carrying, burning, and bunkering methanol safely and efficiently, with full regulatory compliance standards.

It will feature an integrated Nitrogen Generator System, ensuring safe and inert tank operations at all times. Equipped with advanced safety systems specifically engineered for low-flashpoint fuel handling, the vessel sets a new benchmark in future fuel readiness.

A complete methanol bunkering setup will come as standard, including the Quick Connect/Disconnect Couplings (QCDC), dedicated transfer lines and comprehensive monitoring and control systems to ensure efficient and secure fuel handling.

“Built on state-of-the-art architecture, she is designed not only to meet but to exceed the evolving demands of tomorrow’s energy supply chain,” noted the firm.

Lucia Cosulich embodies our vision to lead the transition within the maritime fuel landscape.”

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 11 July 2025

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