Marine fuels testing company VPS on Tuesday (1 July) announced the opening of its brand new testing laboratory in Shanghai, China.

The company said this strategic investment strengthens VPS’ global laboratory network and reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering faster, locally-based testing services to customers operating in one of the world’s most important maritime markets. 

“Shanghai has emerged as one of the fastest growing marine bunkering hubs and is expected to play a major role in the future supply of both traditional fossil fuels and emerging low-to-zero carbon fuels,” it said in a statement. 

“The new Shanghai laboratory will provide comprehensive marine fuel testing services, enabling customers to benefit from further improved turnaround times and enhanced operational decision making.”

The facility will support vessel owners, operators, charterers and fuel suppliers, with rapid, independent analysis and technical expertise, helping stakeholders to manage fuel quality risks, protect assets and maintain regulatory compliance.

Dr. Malcolm Cooper, CEO at VPS, said: “VPS is pleased to announce the opening of our new Shanghai Laboratory, which will provide fuel quality testing for bunker fuels including methanol. China is central to the global shipping industry being the world’s largest shipbuilder, producer of shipping containers and operator of the biggest commercial fleet. Shanghai is therefore the perfect home for our latest laboratory, as VPS is the world’s leading fuel testing company”.

The investment comes as marine fuel volumes in Chinese ports continue to grow and customers increasingly demand faster testing and advisory services. The new facility further enhances the VPS global footprint, which already includes laboratories in Rotterdam, Singapore, Fujairah, Houston and Manchester, supported by an international team of technical experts, sales professionals and customer service specialists.

In addition to supporting conventional marine fuels, the Shanghai laboratory will provide testing and advisory services relevant to the industry’s growing adoption of low-to-zero carbon fuels, assisting customers to navigate emerging fuel quality performance and compliance challenges.

Andrew Morton, VPS MD-AMEA, stated: “The opening of our new laboratory in Shanghai’s Lingang New Area, positions VPS at the heart of one of China’s most important maritime and industrial growth hubs. This investment reflects our confidence in the Chinese maritime market, our commitment to supporting customers closer to where they operate and our belief that Asia will remain at the forefront of shipping’s energy transition.”

The Shanghai laboratory will serve both domestic and international customers operating throughout China and across the wider Asia-Pacific region, supporting ongoing growth in marine fuel testing demand and providing a platform for future expansion of VPS services within the Chinese maritime sector.

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 1 July, 2026

AD Ports Group on Tuesday (30 June) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IRH Global Trading Ltd. to explore strategic cooperation in bunkering services and alternative marine fuels at Khalifa Port.

The MoU outlines potential collaboration across a range of areas, including the provision of bunkering services to vessels calling at Khalifa Port, the development of alternative fuel solutions such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), biofuels, and methanol, and the exploration of opportunities related to fuel storage infrastructure, terminal facilities, and fuel sampling and testing capabilities.

Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO, Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group, said: “This collaboration reflects our commitment to forging strategic alliances that create long-term, sustainable value. 

“By working alongside trusted partners such as IRH, we are enhancing our capabilities and supporting the development of future-ready infrastructure and services that reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading global trade and logistics hub, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”

Ali Rashed Alrashdi, Group CEO – International Resources Holding, said: “This collaboration with AD Ports Group reflects IRH’s commitment to build strategic partnerships that drive real economic impact. 

“As we continue to develop our global energy trading platform, bunkering and alternative marine fuels represent a high-potential area of growth. We see Khalifa Port as an ideal base from which to explore these opportunities, and we look forward to working closely with AD Ports Group to bring them to life.”

Through this collaboration, AD Ports Group and IRH Global Trading aim to further enhance Khalifa Port’s value proposition as a multi-purpose, deep-water port that supports efficient, sustainable, and future-oriented maritime operations.

IRH Global Trading is a global commodities trading firm with interests across the mining and energy value chain and plans to build a diversified global minerals and energy trading platform, including LNG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), crude oil, and petroleum products. 

Photo credit: AD Ports Group
Published: 1 July, 2026

Turkey-based marine fuel supplier Arkas Bunker on Tuesday (30 June) said it has completed 60 biofuel bunkering operations across 32 different vessel types over the past two years in the country. 

Seçkin Gül, General Manager of Arkas Bunker said during that period, the company supplied more than 15,000 metric tonnes (mt) of biofuel and achieved an emissions reduction of 14,500 mt.

He said this during the Biofuels in Shipping seminar held in Istanbul, where the company and DB Tarımsal Enerji addressed the use of biofuels in shipping through the lenses of sustainability, technical compatibility, regulations, and field experience.

“The transition to low-carbon fuels in shipping is no longer a long-term goal—it is today’s priority. At Arkas Bunker, we view biofuel not merely as an environmental alternative, but as a solution that is compatible with existing vessel infrastructure, proven in real-world operations, and supportive of the sector’s compliance with regulations, Gül said. 

Drawing attention to the growing role of carbon intensity in vessel operations, Gül stated: “Carbon cost will increasingly influence a wide range of areas—from fuel selection to route planning, and from customer preferences to financing conditions. 

“For this reason, access to low-carbon fuels will not only be an environmental responsibility for the maritime sector, but also a key component of commercial competitiveness. Strengthening Türkiye’s capabilities in production, supply, and bunkering, as well as strengthening collaboration among producers, suppliers, and end-users, is of great importance for regional competitiveness.”

The seminar also highlighted Turkey’s potential to become a regional supply hub for low-carbon marine fuels.

“With its strategic geographic location, strong port infrastructure, advanced logistics network, maritime expertise, and domestic biofuel production capacity, Türkiye is well positioned to play a significant role across Mediterranean, Black Sea, and European trade routes,” the companies said. 

Photo credit: Arkas Bunker
Published: 1 July, 2026