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DNV ‘Live from Singapore’ webinar discusses operational efficiency and biofuel bunkers

GCMD study needs to show how maritime industry can cope with expected “lower energy density” of biofuel and how it impacts accessibility of biofuels for bunkering worldwide, says Sanjay Kuttan.
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“Do what we can now, with what we have!” This was the clear message on maritime decarbonization in a recent ‘Live from Singapore’ webinar organized by classification society DNV.

The panel explored strategies and practical solutions to decarbonize existing fleets, and how the industry can work together to solve this common challenge.

While fleet owners and operators are facing immense pressure, webinar panellists admitted that things will take time, and time is not on the side of shipping – and all other industries – to make the monumental changes to reach Net Zero goals, or at least halve emissions from international shipping by 50 percent until 2050.

Optimizing energy efficiency of existing fleets

Despite the huge challenges, panellists agreed there is a lot we can do right now that can make a big difference.

Ship operators can cut emissions immediately by introducing smart energy efficiency measures and it is possible to bunker low-carbon biofuels without having to make any changes to fuel tanks or engines. 

Anglo American’s Global Head of Shipping Peter Lye told the audience that his company was already working on a number of ways to reduce carbon intensity in its ocean freight operations. For example, it had successfully trialled (in mid-2021) a biodiesel blend, produced in Singapore from waste cooking oil, to power one of their charter vessels during a voyage to South Africa. 

Fellow panellist François-Xavier Accard, Managing Director of CMA CGM International Shipping, didn’t disagree, but made it clear that there was “not one solution”. Alternative fuels must be an important part of the mix, but we must not lose sight of the need for greater operational efficiency, including managing ship routing. He also called for more to be done to harmonize regulations for all in the maritime industry. 

DNV’s representative on the panel – Girish Sreeraman, Area Business Development Manager for Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent –could not go past the word “collaboration” to sum up the importance of addressing decarbonization for the maritime sector. 

On alternative fuels, he made it clear that much more investment was needed, while optimization of vessels’ performance was a move in the right direction by IMO. With its Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), ship operators needed more time to meet the reporting requirements.

More transparency needed

Sanjay Kuttan, Chief Technology Officer at the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization (GCMD), explained that it was vital to share data and lessons learned from the CII implementation. Without transparency, the wider industry was not going to be able to collectively apply what’s needed or adapt technology to make a meaningful difference.

Mr Accard from CMA CGM did caution to say that some of the data collected is “sensitive” and not all of it can be freely shared. Admittedly, it is important to collect all relevant data from the vessels, he said, regarding speed, fuel use, energy efficiency measures taken. But he insisted that the regulations must be clear and must be applied to all.  

Mr Lye of Anglo American pointed out that transparency and sharing of relevant data is important to customers and the whole supply chain. “They need to know that what we’re doing works for them. And they have a right to demand information if they are expected to be paying more.”

Biofuels to bridge the gap

Biofuels certainly received a lot attention from panellists and the virtual webinar attendees, whose questions were ably moderated by host Yvonne Chan.

It fell to Mr Kuttan to tackle many of the biofuel questions because his organisation GCMD is in the middle of a study which aims to establish an assurance framework that ensures supply chain transparency of drop-in biofuels, whose applicability can be extended to future drop-in fuels. 

He explained that it covers bio-LNG, bio-methanol, and green ammonia, when they become available in meaningful quantities, but also focuses on currently available biofuels, like biodiesel from used cooking oil and agricultural wastes.  

It was important to understand all aspects of biofuels, including availability, accessibility, supply and demand, as well as the potential to scale up production. 

Mr Kuttan said he is “very encouraged” by the results of the survey with webinar participants which showed that by far the majority were either already using biofuels, committed to, or planning to commit to biofuels in the near future.  

Verifying the supply chain of biofuels

The industry and its customers needed to be reassured that the use of biofuels can be measured for the genuine reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Mr Sreeraman said. 

If the source and the supply chain can be reliably verified, biofuels could become 100% carbon neutral fuel for vessels. There must be clear guidelines, though, and acceptable international standards.

Mr Kuttan was asked if he considered that the International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) was the best means to verify the source and supply chain of approved biofuels.

He told the audience that GCMD was fully evaluating all certification standards, including ISCC – which was designed in Europe to provide sustainability solutions for fully traceable and deforestation free supply chains – and has already been applied to biofuel supply in Europe and Asia. 

He also made the point that the GCMD study needs to show how the maritime industry can cope with the expected ”lower energy density” of biofuels, and how this impacts the accessibility of biofuels for bunkering in different parts of the world.

Ambition, collaboration, harmonization, action

Moderator Yvonne Chan concluded the very fruitful discussion by asking each panellist for a buzzword or two as a key take-away for all participants:

For CMA CGM’s François-Xavier Accard, it was the need for “harmonized regulations for all.”

Peter Lye, for Anglo American, summed it up in one word: “ambition’.

DNV’s Girish Sreeraman reinforced the need of “collaboration”. 

It was left to Sanjay Kuttan to elaborate – and take us back to the beginning – with his summary: “Bend the curve. Do what we can now, with what we have!” 

If you missed the webinar episode, you may access it here.

Related: DNV ‘Live from Singapore’ webinar: Panel explores challenges and opportunities in maritime digitalization
Related: Future-proofing shipping: The decarbonization game-changer

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 17 February, 2023

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Methanol

CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering

Companies signed a long term supply cooperation deal to develop a fully integrated green methanol value chain, which is expected to propel Shanghai into a regional green methanol bunkering hub.

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CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Friday (21 March) said it has signed a green methanol long term supply cooperation agreement with SIPG Energy and Shanghai Electric Group on 20 March to develop a fully integrated green methanol value chain. 

The agreement is expected to accelerate Shanghai Port's development into a regional green methanol bunkering hub, securing its first-mover advantage in the low-carbon transformation of shipping and further consolidating Shanghai's leadership in global maritime trade.

“This collaboration underscores CMA CGM's leadership in maritime decarbonisation and strengthens our partnership with major Chinese partners,” the company said. 

Under the agreement, Shanghai Electric Group will provide mid-to-long-term green methanol fuel supply for CMA CGM. In partnership with SIPG, green methanol will be transported via land-sea combined logistics from Shanghai Electric’s production base in Taonan to Shanghai Port, the world's largest container port. 

Shanghai Electric said the agreement will form a complete “production-transportation-bunkering” chain. The company further elaborated that its Taonan project is an important foundation for it in the field of hydrogen-based green fuels. 

CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering

Firmly committed to the energy transition in shipping and  its use of alternative marine fuels, CMA CGM said it has set a Net Zero-Carbon target for 2050.

Last month, CMA CGM IRON, the group's first dual-fuel methanol made its maiden call in Singapore. With a container capacity of 13,000 TEUs, it is the first in a series of 12 new dual-fuel methanol vessels for CMA CGM.

“At CMA CGM, we address the challenges related to the availability of clean fuels. Our partnership strategy drives us to implement innovative and sustainable solutions to achieve our energy transition objectives,” said Farid Trad, Vice President of Bunkering & Energy Transition of CMA CGM Group. 

“Our landmark collaboration with SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group marks a new milestone and shows our commitment to Net Zero-Carbon by 2050.”

 

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 21 March, 2025

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Events

China: Speaker lineup revealed for Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025

Key issues that will be discussed at event include low-carbon ship construction and transformation, latest green technology equipment, alternative marine fuel selections and supply status.
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Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025 to be held in Shanghai on 16 May

Shine Consultant, the organiser of Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025, on Thursday (20 March) announced the line-up of speakers for the event to explore the new trends in the shipping industry. 

With over 300 attendees expected to attend, the Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025 will be held in Shanghai, China, on 16 May. 

Themed Diversified Innovation for Sustainable Green Transformation, the summit will host a main forum called Green Development Strategies and Pioneer Practices Towards Zero Carbon Goals and two sub-forums, Green Shipbuilding and Retrofitting Forum and Green Shipping Ecosystem Cooperation Forum. 

It will focus on key issues such as low-carbon ship construction and transformation, the latest green technology equipment, alternative marine fuel selections and supply status and digital ship management technology. 

Speakers for the summit include:

  • Li Zhengjian, Chief Expert/Senior Engineer, the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
  • Karim Fahssis, Decarbonization China Head, Maersk
  • Lu Yanhui, Vice President, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd
  • Liu Jianfeng, Chief Technologist, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., LTD.
  • Li Zhonggang, Vice President, China Ship Design & Research Center Com.,Ltd.(CSDC)
  • Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
  • Keiichiro Nakanishi, Managing Executive Officer, MOL(Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.)
  • Sun Haihua, Deputy Director of Shanghai Arbitration Commission, Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General of Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization
  • Yan Wei, Vice President, Shanghai Maritime University
  • Ye Mao, Deputy President of the Design Research Institute, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., LTD.
  • Wee Meng Tan, Chief Projects Officer, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
  • Yuan Chao, General Manager of Equipment, CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Company Limited
  • Zhang Yunxing, Head of the Ballast Water Convention Research Office, Hebei Maritime Safety Administration
  • Zhang Yong, Vice President, Shanghai Academy of Development & Reform
  • Gou Yingdi, Director of Sustainable Development and General Manager of the Technology and Development (Innovation) Center, Seacon Shipping Group
  • Zhao Cuiyun, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Construction of the Shipping Center and Director of the Green Shipping Research Office, Shanghai International Shipping Institute
  • Cao Xianfeng, Deputy Chief Digital Planner, COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore Co., Ltd

Conference Framework

May 16 (am) 

Plenary Session: Green Development Strategies and Pioneer Practices Towards Zero Carbon Goals

May 16 (pm)

Sub-Forum I: Green Shipbuilding and Retrofitting Forum
Sub-Forum II: Green Shipping Ecosystem Cooperation Forum

Key Topics

  • Maritime regulatory focus under policy guidance towards zero-carbon goals
  • Global green ship type product key technologies and applications
  • Analysis of paths to improve the efficiency of existing ships
  • How shipping companies can achieve sustainable green transformation
  • Innovative design methods for green ship types
  • Development and design of methanol dual-fuel ship types
  • Innovation and application of ship engines and propulsion systems
  • Technological application and outlook of wind energy as auxiliary power for ships
  • Prospects and challenges of ammonia fuel application
  • Innovation in new marine fuels and supply systems
  • Upgrading of ship battery systems to meet shipping emission reduction
  • Fluid power energy-saving technology and practice to promote the green and low-carbon development of the shipping industry
  • Green ship repair, intelligent painting and VOCs management in ship and marine engineering
  • Exploration and practice in digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of the ship repair and modification industry
  • Practice of ship energy consumption data analysis and carbon intensity management
  • SCR technology innovation for NOx reduction in ship diesel engines
  • The latest technological applications of "carbon capture" in the shipping industry
  • Ballast water management systems in line with international standards
  • Shore power systems combined with green electricity to assist shipping decarbonization
  • Supply status and choice analysis of the marine green fuel market

Host:

  • Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization

Co-organisers:

  • Shanghai Maritime University 
  • Shanghai Institute of Navigation
  • Jiangsu Association of Shipbuilding Industry
  • Jiangsu Society of Naval Architects And Marine Engineers

Supporting Organisations:

  • Shanghai Port Association
  • Hubei Association of Shipbuilding Industry
  • Shanghai International Shipping institute

Interested parties may contact:

Yulia Zhang
T: (+8621) 6095 7179
M:(+86) 158 3615 6079 (Also on WeChat）
E-mail: [email protected] 

Note: More information on the summit, including registration, can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: Shine Consultant
Published: 21 March, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Molgas commences bio-LNG bunkering operations in Port of Zeebrugge

First deliveries of bio-LNG started in January, with multiple operations running smoothly through its logistics network and more deliveries are expected in the coming weeks, says Molgas.

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March 21, 2025

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Molgas commences bio-LNG bunkering operations in Port of Zeebrugge

Madrid-headquartered Molgas Energy Group on Thursday (20 March) said it has started the supply of bio-LNG at the Port of Zeebrugge. 

The first deliveries of bio-LNG started in January, with multiple operations running smoothly through its logistics network. 

“More deliveries are already scheduled in the coming weeks,” it said in a social media post. 

The company said the expansion marked a significant step forward in its commitment to delivering sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions across Europe. 

“The Port of Zeebrugge as a key hub for bio-LNG fuelled vessels dealing with FuelEU Maritime, enabling us to serve the marine customers efficiently,” it said. 

“Through our Multi Truck to Ship (MTTS) process, we successfully manage deliveries of 200-300 tonnes simultaneous to the vessels operation (SIMOPS), demonstrating our operational excellence and flexibility.”

 

Photo credit: Molgas Energy
Published: 21 March, 2025

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