Verra, a nonprofit organisation that develops and manages the standards for climate and sustainable development, recently released a new methodology in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme, VM0053 Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels for Shipping, v1.0. 

Verra said the methodology provides the first structured, independent accounting framework for quantifying emission reductions in maritime transport, bridging a critical regulatory gap in global trade and enabling the related climate benefits to scale.

VM0053 applies to project activities that involve using low-carbon alternative fuels (e.g., hydrogen produced through water electrolysis, green ammonia, and electro fuels [e-fuels] such as e-LNG, e-LPG, e-diesel, and e-methanol) to replace fossil fuels in shipping. 

The methodology applies to new or existing ships, regardless of gross tonnage, operating in territorial or high seas.

Verra added that maritime shipping carries over 80% of global freight and remains a hard-to-abate sector where reducing greenhouse gas emissions has proven to be challenging. 

“This methodology helps unlock finance for low-carbon alternative fuels by creating a new revenue stream that can offset the high premium associated with e-fuels,” it said.

“It supports the use of drop-in alternative fuels that can be used to displace fossil fuels in the engines of existing fleets, leveraging these fleets to realise emission reductions. Additionally, this methodology provides a credible mechanism for sourcing, verifying, and scaling reductions in value chain emissions.”

VMD0053 was developed by Iino Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd., Grütter Consulting, and Verra. The methodology underwent public consultation in 2024 as part of Verra’s methodology development process.

Note: The  new methodology ‘VM0053 Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels for Shipping, v1.0’ can be viewed here. 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 22 June, 2026

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Thursday (18 July) said it has signed new supply agreements in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean region to expand the use of bio-LNG marine fuel on MOL-operated LNG-fuelled car carriers.

Titan, part of Amsterdam-based Molgas, will continue to supply bio-LNG fuel in Northwest Europe, while Axpo will take charge of supply in the Mediterranean region.

MOL said the agreement makes it possible for its company to supply bio-LNG fuel for automobile carriers in the Mediterranean region, specifically Port of Malaga and Barcelona in Spain, following the bio-LNG fuel supply agreement in Western Europe, which commenced in March last year.

The bio-LNG fuel to be supplied in this initiative has a lifecycle carbon intensity (carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy consumption) of -15 g-CO2/MJ or less, from production through consumption. Furthermore, this bio-LNG fuel has obtained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU). 

“Through this supply agreement, MOL has established a framework that ensures a continuous and stable supply of bio-LNG fuel not only in Northern Europe but also in the Mediterranean,” the company said.

As part of the group’s efforts to adopt alternative fuels and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is utilising LNG-fuelled vessels as a bridge solution to facilitate the transition to carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG (e-methane).

In 2025, MOL signed a bio LNG fuel supply agreement in Northwest Europe with Titan, part of the Molgas, and MOL has continued this bio LNG fuel supply agreement with the same company in 2026 as well.

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 19 June, 2026

Madrid-headquartered Molgas Energy Group on Tuesday (16 June) said it successfully completed its first LNG bunkering operation at Port of Palermo in Italy. 

The company said the operation is the result of months of preparation and the joint efforts of teams from Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece. 

In a 10 to 12 hour operation, three tank trucks supplied the fuel to a ferry in the Sicilian port. 

Manifold Times previously reported Molgas initiating operations in Italy with a milestone — the first-ever LNG bunkering via truck-to-ship  in Sicily.

Photo credit: Molgas Energy Group
Published: 18 June, 2026