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Alternative Fuels

FUJCON 2021: Shipowners face ‘really challenging’ future fuel choices, says IBIA Director

LNG is definitely one of the options but of course people are looking at all the options and wondering if they are betting on the right horse, says Unni Einemo.
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Shipowners are currently facing a predicament over the choices of the correct future marine fuel to help them meet IMO 2030/2050 targets, says the Director of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s initial GHG strategy envisages to reduce CO2 emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030 pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050 compared to 2008; and that total annual GHG emissions from international shipping should be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008.

“There is interest in terms of the uptake of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and I think there’s a very interesting parallel actually between the implementation of IMO 2020 and what we’re thinking about in terms of the IMO greenhouse gas reduction targets,” Unni Einemo told delegates at the 12th Fujairah International Bunkering and Fuel Oil Virtual Forum (FUJCON 2021).

“In both parallels we have uncertainty about which fuel is going to be the best and most financially viable solution; where you’re also going to have availability of these fuels.

“Am I betting on the right horse, so to speak, and so with LNG you see the same question coming up and LNG does have a couple of advantages.”

Einemo notes LNG is widely available as a commodity, with the supply infrastructure for the product growing steadily.

“There is genuine interest in LNG and you’ll see it growing quite fast because of newbuilds coming into the market. LNG really is a solution for newbuilds because retrofitting LNG engines is quite expensive and not the most economical solution,” she explains.

“However, LNG has the trouble of having very high entry level costs but once you’ve done it this is seen as a good alternative. But when you’re looking at the long term, unless you can get current fossil-based LNG replaced with renewable LNG it is going to be only a very expensive bridging fuel.

“So I think it is definitely one of the options but of course people are looking at all the horses out there and thinking; which of these horses is the right one for me.”

In addition to costs, shipowners will have to consider the longevity of the vessel when making their fuel choices.

“Marine fuels don’t exist in a vacuum. Future marine fuels need to be part of the overall global energy picture,” notes Einemo.

“For example, many people think the hydrogen economy is where the future is at and so they think that’s where they need to invest as well.

“So, it’s really quite difficult right now for anybody to make the right investment decisions. It is really challenging.”

A series of interviews conducted by Manifold Times as part of pre-event coverage for FUJCON 2021 can be found below:

Related: INTERVIEW: Price risk management for future marine fuels more complex, forecasts ElbOil
Related: INTERVIEW: Bunkering sector undergoing through exciting technological transformation, observes Teekay Tankers
Related: INTERVIEW: National Bank of Fujairah discusses challenges, risk management in oil and bunkering sectors
Related: INTERVIEW: IMO 2030/2050 marine fuels to be decided by most cost efficient, effective well-to-propeller solution
Related: INTERVIEW: Bunker buying is more than a relationship-based activity; it’s a science, says marine fuels broker
Related: INTERVIEW: 80-90 times YOY growth for Singapore LNG bunkering volumes in 2021, says FueLNG
Related: INTERVIEW: Major ports, including Singapore, to prepare for alternative marine fuels future, says IMO
Related: INTERVIEW: VLSFO bunker contamination could resurface on USD 80 to 90 bbl oil, warns consultant


Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 24 March, 2021

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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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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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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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