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European industries release urgent call for EU leaders for fast biomethane rollout

Biomethane delivers immediate emissions reductions and secure supply, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as chemicals, metals, pulp and paper, maritime, and fertilisers.
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European industries release urgent call for EU leaders for fast biomethane rollout

The signatories of the Joint Biomethane Declaration, European industry associations, called for biomethane to become a central building block of the EU’s reindustrialisation, energy security, and transition to climate neutrality, according to the European Biogas Association on Tuesday (24 March). 

The Declaration sends a clear signal of strong industrial demand for biomethane, essential to keep EU industry competitive while enabling defossilisation and more circular production processes.

European industry is under mounting pressure from high energy prices and rising carbon costs, with some sectors already facing production cuts and closures. With 22 bcm of combined biogas and biomethane produced in Europe today, sustainable biomethane offers immediate, scalable relief, integrating seamlessly into existing energy systems and gas infrastructure. 

Produced domestically, it strengthens energy independence and reduces Europe’s exposure to global gas market volatility, at a time when the EU still imports around 90% of its gas.

Biomethane is a cost-effective solution already being used for industrial defossilisation. It delivers immediate emissions reductions and secure supply, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as chemicals, metals, pulp and paper, maritime, and fertilisers. Beyond energy use, biomethane is a cornerstone of Europe’s circular economy, providing critical feedstocks and co-products, including digestate and biogenic CO₂, for industrial and agricultural applications.

Around 25 Mt of digestate per year are already produced in Europe today from biogas production and upgrading processes. Nevertheless, synthetic fertiliser imports in the EU amounted to 24.2 Mt in 2024. Likewise, the sector is already capturing 1.17 Mt of bio-CO2, equivalent to around 14% of Europe’s merchant liquid and solid CO₂ demand. This is especially relevant considering that ammonia production in Europe, which is the main source of CO₂ for current merchant markets, is expected to be disrupted due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, as fossil CO₂ plants depend on natural gas imports.

While the enabling framework is gradually taking shape, persistent gaps and delays are limiting market deployment. The declaration outlines 10 priority actions to accelerate biomethane rollout, including:

  • Recognising biomethane’s role in achieving EU climate and energy targets, such as the 35 bcm production target by 2030 included in the REPowerEU.
  • Removing administrative barriers to certification, trading, and corporate purchasing agreements.
  • Supporting economies of scale through incentives, funding mechanisms, and long-term purchasing agreements, prioritising energy-intensive and hard-to-abate sectors.
  • Harmonising national support schemes to facilitate cross-border deployment.
  • Improving infrastructure access through integrated grid planning and streamlined permitting processes.

The signatories stressed that unlocking biomethane at scale is both a shared responsibility and a major opportunity for Europe. 

With a robust enabling framework, biomethane can deliver immediate emissions reductions, strengthen energy independence, and accelerate the carbon-neutral transformation of European industry and society. 

“We stand ready to work with European and national policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders to turn this potential into reality,” the Declaration stated. 

 

Photo credit: European Biogas Association
Published: 30 March, 2026

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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.

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July 21, 2026

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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

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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.
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July 21, 2026

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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

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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.
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July 21, 2026

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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

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