Bunker Fuel
DNV: Addressing methane slip in LNG-burning four-stroke Otto-cycle engines
DNV discusses LNG and methane slip in a Maritime Impact report and elaborates on its role in several projects aiming to minimize methane slip.
Classification society DNV on Monday (27 November) released a Maritime Impact report discussing LNG and methane slip and DNV’s role in several initiatives to minimize it. The following is an excerpt from the article:
LNG offers many benefits as a transitional ship fuel. However, certain engine types have been found to release significant amounts of unburnt methane, a powerful climate gas. DNV is involved in various projects aiming to minimize methane slip.
Methane, the main component of natural gas and LNG, has a global warming potential (GWP) 29.8 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 100-year timeframe, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2021). Preventing methane from escaping anywhere along its supply chain is therefore crucial as the world tries to contain the causes of climate change.
New EU regulations increase pressure to reduce methane slip
LNG-fuelled four-stroke Otto-cycle engines, which are often used for gensets on board passenger ships, have been found to release significant amounts of unburnt methane, leading to CO2-equivalent emission values that compromise what is achieved through other carbon reduction efforts.
The shipping sector will be incorporated into the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) from 2024. This expansion will encompass methane and nitrous oxide emissions starting in 2026. Additionally, the FuelEU Maritime requirements for the GHG intensity of energy utilized on board will come into effect in 2025. Consequently, the shipping industry is keenly interested in addressing methane slip issues.
LNG’s long-term zero emissions potential hinges on methane slip reduction
“Many think of LNG as a transitional fuel only, but it can also be much more than this,” says Hans Eivind Siewers, Segment Director Passenger Ships and RoRo at DNV. “But in order for this fuel to take passenger ships all the way to zero emissions with bio LNG and e-LNG, it is of major importance that we succeed in reducing methane slip.”
Fabian Kock, Head of Section Environmental Technologies Air at DNV, agrees: “Methane slip is indeed a critical issue for addressing climate change. DNV is actively working with many stakeholders and regulators to find pragmatic solutions to overcome this challenge. In particular we are happy to work closely together with the engine designers to find technical solutions which are safe and feasible to be installed on board of ships.”
GREEN RAY industry initiative addresses methane slip
One major initiative dedicated to reducing methane slip from LNG ship engines is the EU HORIZON project GREEN RAY (new GeneRation marinE ENgines and Retrofit solutions to Achieve methane abatement flexibilitY). Launched in June 2022 under the leadership of the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, it aims to establish sound scientific data about methane slip from four-stroke LNG-fuelled engines by conducting on-board exhaust gas measurements, and to promote the development of methane abatement technologies.
The project consortium includes the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Shell Global Solutions, Wärtsilä, MSC, CMA Ships, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, DNV and a number of other stakeholders. A report will summarize the findings after the project ends in 2027.
Focus on engine optimization and exhaust gas aftertreatment
The engine manufacturer Wärtsilä has been conducting research and development on engine modifications to radically reduce methane slip, including efforts to optimize engine design and control. VTT researchers studied methane emissions from two Wärtsilä 31DF engines on the AURORA BOTNIA. One used standard configuration, the other tested new combustion. Results show reduced methane emissions and potential for overall emission cuts for the modified engine.
Shell is developing methane absorption and catalytic conversion technologies for exhaust gas aftertreatment. The role of DNV in the GREEN RAY project will be to witness exhaust gas measurements, verify piping and materials as well as installation, and develop and update its class rules related to emission reduction with the option to introduce a dedicated class notation. Furthermore, DNV will provide know-how and review solution proposals.
MAN takes a two-pronged approach
There are similar initiatives beyond the GREEN RAY project, as well. MAN Energy Solutions SE has been exploring ways to optimize its own engine technology to minimize methane slip. The company’s R&D into engine optimization is well advanced and integrated into every new four-stroke ship engine MAN delivers, says Dr Mathias Moser, Head of Technology and Exhaust Aftertreatment at MAN Energy Solutions SE.
“We optimize the mechanical components to minimize crevice volumes in the cylinder and we adapt the compression ratio towards improved combustion,” he explains. “Furthermore, we fine-tune engine control parameters such as injection timing, pilot-fuel amount, supercharge pressure, ignition timing, valve timing and combustion temperature. Most of these improvements can be implemented as retrofits to existing engines, as well. These engine-based measures alone can reduce methane emissions significantly so the updated engines will comply with future, tighter restrictions.”
Note: DNV’s full Maritime Impact report on ‘Addressing methane slip in LNG-burning four-stroke Otto-cycle engines’ can be found here.
Photo credit: MAN Energy Solutions, Avenir LNG
Published: 6 December, 2023
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Bunker Fuel Availability
JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (June 2025)
Country sold about 1.74 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in June, with the daily sales at 57,910 mt, a dip of 0.26% month on month, JLC’s data shows.
Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for June 2025 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:
Bunker Fuel Demand
China’s bonded bunker fuel sales inch lower in June
China’s bonded bunker fuel sales inched lower in June, due to the negative impact from geopolitical tensions and seasonally tepid shipping demand.
The country sold about 1.74 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in June, with the daily sales at 57,910 mt, a dip of 0.26% month on month, JLC’s data shows.
Bonded bunker fuel sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 460,000 mt, 560,000 mt, 45,000 mt and 25,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses stood at 647,300 mt.
The efficiency of global trade declined amid trade war, leading to a slip in the world’s bunkering demand.
China’s LSFO output rallies in June
China’s LSFO output rallied in June amid unit restarts, but the rally was limited to some degree by some refineries’ maintenance and bad production margins.
Chinese refiners produced about 1.02 million mt of LSFO in the month, with the daily output rising by 10.58% month on month to 34,067 mt, JLC’s data shows.
Specifically, Sinopec maintained basically stable LSFO production in June. The company’s Shengli Oilfield and Jinling Petrochemical slashed their production after launching maintenance in the middle of the month, while Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical, Hunan Petrochemical and Tianjin Petrochemical wrapped up turnarounds and boosted their output.
PetroChina recorded a modest rise in its production in June as Jinxi Petrochemical restarted its units. However, Jinzhou Petrochemical and Liaohe Petrochemical slightly cut their production. The output of other refineries did not change much in the month.
CNOOC saw a significant boost in its output in the month, as Huizhou Refinery resumed production while Zhoushan Petrochemical and Taizhou Petrochemical ramped up production.
ZPC and Sinochem did not produce any LSFO in June, but the latter exported 10,000 mt of MGO.
On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s LSFO output fell by 22.75% in June.
Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand weakens in June
Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand further weakened in June, with most shipowners still holding a wait-and-see attitude.
Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand slipped to 340,000 mt in the month, down 20,000 mt or 5.56% from the previous month, JLC’s data shows. Most purchases were still based on rigid demand, though market sentiment became slightly bullish.
Meanwhile, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand declined to 140,000 mt, down 10,000 mt or 6.67% month on month. Diesel demand remained lackluster amid the fishing moratorium.
Bunker Fuel Supply
China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rebound in May
China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rebounded in May, as domestic refiners increased purchases of imported LSFO when domestic supply tightened.
Chinese bunker suppliers imported 610,500 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, a boost of 16.17% month on month and 97.06% year on year, JLC’s calculation shows, based on data from the GACC.
Domestic LSFO output extended declines amid more unit maintenance, forcing bonded distributors to place more orders for imported LSFO. Meanwhile, HSFO imports increased amid growing demand, while MGO arrivals dropped amid larger domestic production and tepid demand.
Russia became the largest bonded bunker fuel supplier to China in May, up from the fourth place in April. The country exported 377,700 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China in the month, accounting for 61.88% of the latter’s total imports. At the same time, Singapore came second with 144,500 mt, accounting for 23.67%, while South Korea ranked third with 50,300 mt, accounting for 8.23%. In addition, Malaysia ranked fourth with 38,000 mt, occupying 6.22%.
China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled 2.66 million mt in January-May, surging by 64.54% year on year, the calculation shows.
Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply continues to tighten in June
Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply continued to tighten in June, as the availability of blendstock declined and most blending in northeast and east China was still at a halt.
Blenders supplied about 360,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, down by 10,000 mt or 2.70% month on month, JLC’s data shows.
Domestic supply of low-sulfur residual oil tightened as China Offshore Bitumen (Binzhou) came under maintenance, while that of shale oil also declined. Meanwhile, most blenders in northeast and eastern China were yet to resume their blending, as the impact of tax inspections persisted.
Domestic-trade light bunker fuel supply dropped to 150,000 mt in June, down by 10,000 mt or 6.25% month on month, the data shows. Diesel supply tightened as some refineries lowered their operating rates amid unit maintenance.
Bunker Prices, Profits
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JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report is published by JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd every month on China bunker market, demand, supply, margin, freight index, forecast and so on. The report provides full-scale & concise insight into China bunker oil market.
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Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2025)
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Note: China-based commodity market information provider JLC Technology has been providing Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times China bunker volume data since 2020. Data from earlier periods are available here.
Photo credit: JLC Network Technology
Published: 10 July 2025
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