Alternative Fuels

EmissionLink on dual-fuel engines: Dual trouble or double opportunity?

Philippos Ioulianou warned that many dual-fuel vessels are not ready to meet the new era of real-time emissions compliance — risking both regulatory penalties and lost commercial opportunities.

Published

11 months ago

August 22, 2025

Admin

With FuelEU regulations set to take effect in January and the IMO’s 2050 net-zero target drawing closer, EmissionLink Managing Director Philippos Ioulianou on Thursday (21 August) warned that many dual-fuel vessels are not ready to meet the new era of real-time emissions compliance — risking both regulatory penalties and lost commercial opportunities.

“Dual-fuel engines offer enormous flexibility, LNG/VLSFO, methanol/MGO, but that flexibility brings complexity,” said Mr Ioulianou. “Without the right systems and fuel management protocols, owners risk turning a decarbonisation asset into a liability.”

While dual-fuel configurations can help operators balance regional regulations, fuel pricing, and emissions limits, they also introduce operational challenges. Fuels like VLSFO degrade quickly if not monitored, and switching between fuel types demands precise execution to avoid performance issues, non-compliance, or even engine damage.

The regulatory stakes are higher than ever. FuelEU will move compliance from an annual review to voyage-by-voyage scrutiny, requiring operators to know exactly what fuel was used, where, and how it performed. “Decarbonisation is now a daily discipline,” said Mr Ioulianou. “Anyone relying on spreadsheets or best guesses is already falling behind.”

EmissionLink’s technology helps shipowners consolidate live emissions data, align it with fuel usage, and produce an auditable trail for regulators, charterers, and commercial partners. This is becoming essential as charterparty clauses increasingly demand proof of fuel management and performance — with mismanagement already triggering disputes and costly de-bunkering.

When handled well, dual-fuel engines can provide commercial advantages, including the ability to generate FuelEU compliance credits that can be traded or banked, as well as access to green corridor projects and ESG-aligned cargo. But Mr Ioulianou warns that the industry has just months to close the gap between potential and reality.

“The next 12 months will reveal who’s serious about decarbonisation and who’s hoping cleaner fuel alone will be enough,” he said. “Burning cleaner fuel badly is still a failure — and in the current regulatory climate, it’s a risk no one can afford to take.”

Photo credit: EmissionLink
Published: 22 August, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Published

9 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.

Published

9 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

Published

9 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said.

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels.

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026