Singapore-based Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Friday (24 February) announced a significant milestone in its corporate history with the naming of ONE Sparkle, the company's first owned and operated newbuilding container vessel.

Jeremy Nixon, CEO, said: "The naming of ONE Sparkle represents another important milestone for ONE. This vessel is our first owned newbuilding, and it also showcases our commitment to sustainable shipping with its innovative design and alternative fuel capabilities.”

“As we expand our owned fleet, these advanced vessels will play a crucial role in meeting our environmental targets while enhancing our service reliability.”

The ship showcases advanced environmental features including:

• Methanol and ammonia-ready fuel capability, enabling future conversion to these alternative fuels;
• Advanced hull design optimized for improved energy efficiency;
• Latest generation energy-saving devices;
• Smart technology integration for optimal vessel performance; and
• Shore power connection capabilities for zero-emission port stays

Once delivered, the vessel will strengthen ONE's competitive position in the service it is deployed to, and showcase the company’s commitment to sustainable shipping practices.

ONE Sparkle was built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, and she can carry about 13,800 twenty feet equivalent (TEU) containers. 

ONE Sparkle is classed ABS, flagged Singapore, and is managed by OneSea Solutions Pte. Ltd, a ship management company jointly owned by ONE and Seaspan Corporation. 

The vessel is part of a series of 20 large ammonia/ methanol ready vessels that will be built in Korea and Japan and scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026. 

Photo credit: Hyundai Heavy Industries
Published: 17 February, 2025

Recent developments in propulsion technologies and bunkering infrastructure suggest that ammonia could be included in the commercial bunker fuel mix before the decade is over.

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (Mitsui E&S) has started prototype testing of German engine maker MAN Energy Solutions’ (MAN ES) two-stroke ammonia dual-fuel engine at its Tamano Factory in Japan. Theoretically, prototype testing bridges the gap between concept and real-world application and shows whether an engine is commercially viable before large-scale deployment.

MAN ES and Mitsui E&S have not yet specified a timeline for project completion, but successful prototype testing could suggest that commercial deployment may be expected soon.

Swiss engine-maker Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) also confirmed that it will launch its ammonia dual-fuel engine by June 2025, while Finland’s Wärtsilä already introduced its ammonia dual-fuel internal combustion engine (ICE) last year.

WinGD has already secured 30 orders for its ammonia-capable engines across bulk carriers, container ships, tankers and LPG/ammonia carriers. Interestingly, classification society DNV reports that 30 ammonia-capable newbuilds are currently on order for delivery towards 2027, but it remains unclear whether all of them will be equipped with WinGD’s engines.

While ammonia ICEs mark a significant step toward its potential adoption as a commercial marine fuel, they come with one caveat – the need for pilot fuel, typically diesel, to ignite ammonia due to its high auto-ignition temperature. Diesel pilot introduces a carbon footprint, which undermines green ammonia’s zero-emission potential.

To address this issue, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean is developing an ammonia gas turbine that could eliminate the need for pilot fuel altogether. The company aims to debut an ammonia gas turbine-powered LNG carrier by 2028, potentially opening the door to 100% ammonia-based propulsion.

Bunkering infrastructure is also a critical factor in enabling ammonia’s commercial adoption.

South Korea has committed $410 million to establish LNG, methanol and ammonia storage facilities at its major ports by 2030. In addition, the country has allocated $270 million to construct four bunkering-only vessels, designed specifically for LNG and ammonia refueling.

Bunker supplier China Shipping & Sinopec successfully bunkered an ammonia-powered tugboat at the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry dockyard in China, demonstrating that safe and efficient ammonia bunkering can be carried out with the right infrastructure and handling procedures.

“The successful bunkering has effectively tested the integrity and efficiency of the company’s bunkering equipment system, gathered valuable knowledge and experience for the deployment of ammonia fuel in large vessels,” COSCO Shipping said.

Meanwhile, Norwegian ammonia producer Yara Clean Ammonia has signed the world’s first time-charter agreement for an ammonia-capable medium gas carrier with Japanese firm NYK. The vessel is set for delivery this November.

Despite these advancements, ammonia's high toxicity presents significant safety challenges during bunkering operations and storage. Stringent safety protocols must be followed to mitigate the risk of exposure, especially given ammonia’s potential hazards to human health.

Ammonia bunkering and transfer pilots can help identify the key steps involved in safe fuel handling, Lynn Loo, chief executive of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), told ENGINE. Both operations require specialised equipment, robust containment measures, and strict handling procedures to minimise the risk of ammonia leaks during fuel transfers between vessels.

In other news this week, Swedish e-fuel company Liquid Wind plans to develop another 100,000 mt/year e-methanol production plant in Sweden. Liquid Wind has partnered with Swedish power utility company Övik Energi to set up renewable electricity input to power e-methanol and green hydrogen production.

South Korean shipping firm H-Line Shipping has placed an order with shipbuilding company HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) for an LNG dual-fuel bunkering vessel. The 18,000-cbm capacity vessel will feature a dual-fuel propulsion system, allowing it to run on both LNG and conventional fuel oil. 

Danish pump manufacturer Svanehøj will supply deepwell CO2 cargo pumps for both the onshore storage facility and the first liquefied CO2 carrier in the UK-based energy company INEOS Energy-led Project Greensand. The deepwell CO2 cargo pumps for both the LCO2 carrier and the onshore facility at Port Esbjerg are set for delivery in the third quarter of 2025.

Related: South Korea’s HJSC scores LNG bunkering vessel order from H-Line Shipping

Photo credit: Yara
Source: ENGINE
Published: 17 February, 2025

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) Tuesday (11 February) announced that it has prepared the 2025 Implementation Plan for Environment-Friendly Ship Distribution in accordance with the first Master Plan for Environment-Friendly Ship Development and Distribution (2021-2030).

The government enacted the Act on the Promotion of Development and Distribution of Environment-Friendly Ships in December 2018 to mandate the public sector to build environment-friendly ships and provide the private sector with a legal basis to reduce acquisition taxes and provide subsidies when converting into environment-friendly ships. 

As a result, 199 ships were converted into environment-friendly ships as of last year.

This year, the government, local governments, and public institutions plan to invest approximately KRW 222.3 billion (USD 154 million) to support the building or conversion of 81 environment-friendly ships.

The public sector plans to build a total of 34 environment-friendly vessels, including electric-powered or hybrid ships, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, 15 operating ships will be equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPF) to reduce fine dust emissions.

In the private sector, support will be provided for building 20 ships in keeping with the demand for transitioning to environment-friendly vessels. Financial assistance such as secondary financing will continue to be offered as well for 12 vessels for installing environment-friendly equipment.

Meanwhile, applications for the 2025 First Phase of the Certified Environment-Friendly Vessel Supply Support Project will be accepted from 31  January 31 to 27 March to support the construction of environment-friendly vessels by small and medium-sized coastal shipping companies operating in domestic ports.

Eligible applicants include coastal shipping companies that order certified environment-friendly vessels such as electric-powered or liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled ships. Selected applicants can receive subsidies of up to 30% of the ship's construction cost depending on the certification grade and vessel construction expenses.

“We will make generous investments in small and medium-sized shipping companies to convert into environment-friendly ships, drastically reduce greenhouse gases in the shipping industry, and proactively respond to strengthening international decarbonization regulations,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.

Photo credit: Lauren Seo on Unsplash
Published: 14 February, 2025