Decarbonisation

DNV on decarbonizing maritime: Overcoming challenges with innovation and ingenuity

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen says shipping must invest in development of technological solutions that improve energy efficiency to reduce GHG emissions until carbon-neutral bunker fuels become available.

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2024

Admin

Classification society DNV on recently published a Maritime Impact article on Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, DNV Maritime’s CEO, sharing his reflections on the latest findings of the new Maritime Forecast to 2050 report and how maritime can get closer to achieving upcoming decarbonization goals:

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV Maritime, says shipping must invest in the exploration and development of technological solutions that improve energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions until carbon-neutral fuels become available.

Decarbonization is one of the greatest challenges facing shipping. Following a slow start, decarbonization aspirations have been embraced by the maritime industry. IMO goals have been set, notably full-scale decarbonization by or around 2050, a 20% emissions reduction by 2030, and a 70% reduction by 2040.

While these moves have been widely welcomed, it’s time to get real. Setting goals is the easy part. Achieving them is extremely difficult, bordering on the impossible. Indeed, a pragmatic assessment of the shipping industry today indicates that decarbonization is slowing down, not accelerating.

Let’s look at the facts.

The costly transition to carbon-neutral fuels

Full decarbonization will require a large-scale transition to carbon-neutral fuels. This is a huge challenge requiring the construction of new vessels and the retrofitting of existing vessels to enable them to operate on, likely very expensive, green versions of fuels. In a global economy already heavily burdened by inflation and high interest rates, the extra costs associated with this transformation are about as appealing to shipowners as a leaky hull.

Indeed, in an era of higher freight rates, shipowners are understandably seeking to harvest profits and have little incentive to join the queue for limited yard space. While around 50% of new orders today are for ships with dual-fuel capability, constructing them comes at a premium which is difficult to pass along the supply chain. The happy hour for methanol appears to be over already, and the reality is that 93% of the global fleet is still running on conventional fuels.

Even if this technological shift on board the vessels is eventually successful, global supplies of carbon-neutral fuels remain miniscule and shipping needs to compete with other industries for its share. Fuel suppliers are reluctant to invest billions of dollars in projects for which demand is uncertain and, so far, the exponential growth in supply that we need is nowhere to be seen.

But all is not lost yet.

Harnessing technology and cultural changes to drive energy efficiency

Using simulations, this year’s Maritime Forecast to 2050 report by DNV estimates that fuel consumption can be reduced by between 4% and 16% by 2030 using energy efficiency measures.

The first few percentage points can be achieved quite easily. Many maritime companies have already shown that by instilling cultural changes throughout an organization, and by encouraging crew members to seek efficiencies through their day-to-day operations, fuel consumption can be reduced, and emissions reductions of around 5% can be achieved.

However, going to the next level and reaching double-digit energy efficiency requires technological solutions. Technologies like wind-assisted propulsion and waste-heat recovery systems, to name just a few, have already been proven to deliver tangible emissions reductions.

But technology can do even more.

Note: DNV’s full article titled ‘Decarbonizing maritime: Overcoming challenges with innovation and ingenuity’ can be read here.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 16 September, 2024

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Methanol

VTTI Dalian completes first large-scale green methanol loading for bunkering

VTTI said its Dalian terminal has successfully completed its first commercial vessel loading of large-scale green methanol, which will be supplied as marine fuel upon arrival in Shanghai.

Published

21 hours ago

July 10, 2026

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VTTI Dalian completes first large-scale green methanol loading for bunkering

Rotterdam-based storage terminal owner VTTI, co-owned by Vitol, IFM, and Adnoc, on Thursday (9 July) said its Dalian terminal has successfully completed its first commercial vessel loading of large-scale green methanol, marking an important milestone under its long-term green methanol storage and handling contract.

This milestone represents an important step in establishing Northeast China as a key logistics hub for sustainable marine fuels.

The cargo will be supplied as marine fuel upon arrival in Shanghai, supporting the development of low-carbon shipping.

Janice Kuan, Senior Vice President Commercial at VTTI, said: “This milestone reflects our continued commitment to enabling the energy transition. By supporting long-term green methanol storage and handling at VTTI Dalian, we are helping our partners build reliable supply chains for cleaner marine fuels while advancing VTTI’s strategy to lead in sustainable infrastructure.”

Strategically located at Dalian Port – the only main port for Northeast China – VTTI Dalian is an independent public terminal serving chemical producers and traders inland.

With four jetties for vessels up to 50,000 DWT, dedicated chemical storage, and multimodal access, the terminal is a critical logistics hub for sustainable fuel distribution.

Photo credit: VTTI
Published: 10 July, 2026

Ammonia

Peninsula and ITOCHU establish ammonia bunkering joint venture for European ports

I&P Marine Ammonia has been created to promote the supply of ammonia as a next-generation zero carbon bunker fuel, with an initial focus on major strategic European and Mediterranean hubs.

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2026

Admin

Peninsula and ITOCHU establish ammonia bunkering joint venture for European ports

Global marine energy supplier Peninsula on Wednesday (8 July) announced the establishment of I&P Marine Ammonia Ltd. (IPMA), a joint venture with ITOCHU Corporation, to accelerate the development of ammonia marine fuel bunkering across key European ports.

IPMA has been created to promote the supply of ammonia as a next-generation zero carbon marine fuel, with an initial focus on major strategic European and Mediterranean hubs. These locations represent critical regions in global maritime logistics and will play a central role in enabling the adoption of alternative fuels at scale.

The formation of IPMA builds directly on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Peninsula and ITOCHU in September 2023, which established a framework for the joint development of ammonia bunkering infrastructure and supply chains.

Manifold Times previously reported the European Commission (EC) approving the creation of a joint venture by ITOCHU and Peninsula under the EU Merger Regulation.

“Ammonia is widely seen as the most reasonable option among zero‑carbon marine fuel alternatives, supporting the shipping industry’s transition in line with increasingly stringent regulatory and environmental requirements,” Peninsula said.

“The creation of IPMA marks a significant step towards the commercialisation of ammonia as a marine fuel.”

Peninsula has been advancing the alternative fuels landscape, with established capabilities across LNG, Bio LNG, biofuels and other alternative solutions such as methanol and ammonia. This joint venture represents a natural progression of the company’s strategy to provide customers with practical, scalable decarbonisation pathways.

The partnership combines Peninsula’s global bunkering expertise, an established global supply network and deep customer relationships covering over 500 ports across all major bunkering hubs with ITOCHU’s integrated approach, spanning fuel production and supply chain development.

“Together, Itochu and Peninsula will combine these strengths to develop a robust ammonia bunkering framework, pairing upstream supply and infrastructure with the customer-facing expertise required to deliver ammonia as bunker fuel reliably at scale,” the company added.

With an initial focus on Europe, IPMA is well positioned to accelerate the emergence of an operational ammonia marine fuel supply chain, complementing and reinforcing the broader industry initiatives already underway across the region.

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 9 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

Evos and HyFive ink LOI to explore e-methanol storage in Port of Rotterdam

LOI follows Evos’ recently announced expansion project for methanol and ethanol storage in the port, which will give Evos capacity to handle the developing market in low-carbon marine fuels and bunkering.

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2026

Admin

Evos Rotterdam starts construction on methanol and ethanol expansion project

Evos and HyFive on Wednesday (8 July) said they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore the storage and handling of e-methanol in the Port of Rotterdam, which is expected to be produced by HyFive’s HyMet Musel project in northern Spain.

Under this non-binding agreement, Evos and HyFive will assess potential technical and commercial parameters, including logistics interfaces and operational requirements.

The LOI follows Evos’ recently announced expansion project for low-carbon methanol and ethanol storage in the port. The project includes the construction of five new storage tanks with a combined gross capacity of 67,500 cubic metres, a new pump station and a new jetty to be built by the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

Once operational in early 2028, the expansion will give Evos Rotterdam greater capacity to handle methanol and ethanol for industrial customers, as well as for the developing market in cleaner, low-carbon marine fuels and bunkering.

HyFive’s HyMet Musel project on Spain’s Atlantic coast is planned with a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year, with start-up targeted from 2029. HyFive has signed a comprehensive term sheet for a significant portion of the initial production volumes and continues commercial discussions with potential offtakers, including shipping companies active in the ARA region.

Alberto Sanchez de Rojas, General Manager, HyFive, said: “We are pleased to sign this LOI with Evos to explore a potential supply route for e‑methanol from our HyMet Musel project. While this is an initial step, it is an important milestone in assessing downstream infrastructure options that could help meet growing demand for cleaner marine fuels in the ARA region.”

Christiaan Kop, Evos Rotterdam Managing Director, said: “We welcome the opportunity to explore, through this potential partnership with HyFive, how our Rotterdam terminal could support future e‑methanol flows into the ARA region. We see strong long‑term momentum behind low‑carbon fuels, and we continue to invest in infrastructure that can help our customers and partners navigate the energy transition.”

Photo credit: Evos Rotterdam
Published: 9 July, 2026