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Egil Ulvan Rederi hydrogen-powered zero-emission bulk carrier project awarded LR AiP

Significant part of energy required to operate the 88 m/5,500 tonne vessel will be harvested directly from the wind through two large rotor sails.

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Egil Ulvan Rederi hydrogen powered vessel

Classification society LR on Tuesday (1 March) said it has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to Norwegian ship owner Egil Ulvan Rederi AS for its zero-emission self-discharging hydrogen-fuelled bulk carrier, With Orca. The vessel is planned to enter into a long-term transport contract with cargo owners Felleskjøpet Agri and Heidelberg Cement.

With Orca will be fully zero-emission in all operations. It will be powered by hydrogen, stored onboard in compressed form, and the hydrogen combustion engine will be optimised for increased efficiency. The vessel will also have a fuel cell system for energy production in low load conditions. A significant part of the energy required to operate the 88 m/5,500 tonne vessel will be harvested directly from the wind through two large rotor sails. The vessel also has the ability to store excess energy in batteries.

LR awarded the AiP after completion of a risk-based HAZID certification. LR was selected as the class society for this complex project because of its experience and expertise with hydrogen-fuelled vessels and projects using novel fuels. The project marks a milestone in the journey towards a zero-emission future for the shipping industry. The vessel is designed by Norwegian Ship Design and the hydrogen will be supplied by Statkraft. It is scheduled to enter operation in early 2024.

The vessel’s sailing route will mostly be in open waters in the North Sea, where weather conditions are ideal for wind-assisted propulsion. With Orca will combine the cargoes of Heidelberg Cement and Felleskjøpet, carrying aggregates from western to eastern Norway and grain in the opposite direction.

Mark Darley, LR Marine and Offshore Director, said: “LR is delighted to have been selected for this world first project that utilises several alternative propulsion technologies. Through our thorough risk-based analysis we are happy to award approval in principle for the use of hydrogen as a sustainable and safe solution for vessel propulsion. LR is a pioneer in maritime decarbonisation and is supporting our clients to assess the technological, commercial and societal viability of multiple transition pathways.”

Ivar Ulvan, Owner and Project Manager of Egil Ulvan Rederi, said: “Receiving the AiP from Lloyd’s Register is an important milestone for us. We have been working with the project for more than 1.5 years, and the AiP confirms that we have made good design choices in our effort to create a safe, efficient and feasible concept. We have learned a lot in the process towards the AiP, and LR has been very professional. We want to highlight their facilitation of the HAZID, which was skilfully carried out to an impressive level of detail. We look forward to continue working towards realising this groundbreaking project.”

Gjermund Johannessen, Norwegian Ship Design CEO, said: “We would like to commend both LR and the Norwegian Maritime Authority for their professional and positive involvement in this project. We have been working hard evaluating different solutions for the hydrogen system onboard. We have developed a unique and safe hydrogen concept, and we used hydrogen’s special properties as one of the means to achieve this.”

Per-Kenneth Øye, Chief Transport Officer at Felleskjøpet Agri SA, said: “Our aim is to achieve sustainable fleet renewal, phasing out old tonnage. The project was initiated to set the standard for others to follow, and we are pleased that we now have accomplished this important step.”

Lars-Erik Marcussen, Project Manager Logistics, Heidelberg Cement, said: “We are pleased to have reached this milestone on the road to using hydrogen at sea. Sustainable shipping is needed in all industries, and we hope this sets a standard for swift implementation of new, green technology.”

 

Photo credit: LR
Published: 2 March, 2022

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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Following the successful deployment of “ONE Singapore” and its sister vessels, “ONE Solidarity” will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Singapore-based container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Thursday (3 July) said it celebrated the maiden voyage of containership ONE Solidarity as the ship made its first-ever arrival in Shekou, China. 

“As one of our S-series methanol and ammonia ready container vessels, ONE Solidarity is another demonstration of ONE’s commitment to sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post. 

Following the successful deployment of ONE Singapore and its sister vessels, ONE Solidarity will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service. 

“Her deployment will boost our service capacity, ensuring faster, more reliable, and highly efficient shipping offerings across key global trade lanes,” the company added.

 

Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 3 July, 2026

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“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Following delivery of the ship in China, it will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, strengthening Fratelli Cosulich’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

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“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Thursday (2 July) celebrated the delivery of Lucia Cosulich at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel is the second of four sister methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within the Group’s fleet expansion programme and follows the launching ceremony held on 2 May 2026.

Designed to support the Group’s bunkering operations and future fuel requirements, Lucia Cosulich is part of the new generation of vessels developed by Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy to combine operational reliability, safety and fuel flexibility.

Lucia Cosulich will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, further strengthening the Group’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

“We wish Lucia Cosulich and her crew fair winds on the next stage of her journey,” the company said. 

Related: Fratelli Cosulich launches second methanol-ready bunker tanker in China

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 3 July, 2026

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DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026 compared to 155 in the same period in 2025.

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DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025. 

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026

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