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FUJCON 2021: VPS experts offer insight on biofuel bunker properties at virtual roundtable

Volume of biofuel bunker samples tested by VPS in Q1 2021 was equal to the entire amount tested by the company last year, shares the Technical Manager at VPS.

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VPS Virtual Roundtable Fuel Management MT 2

A rising number of major shipowners have already begun trials on emerging marine biofuels to power their commercial vessels, according to experts at international fuel testing and inspection company VPS.

The firm organised the VPS Fuel Management Challenges – Moving Forward in 2021 virtual roundtable on Thursday (25 March) as part of the 12th Fujairah International Bunkering and Fuel Oil Virtual Forum (FUJCON 2021).

VPS in-house experts led an in-depth discussion on the trends and management of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and Oil Condition Monitoring (OCM); the presentation also included a section on properties of marine biofuels.

Independent studies on the properties of marine biofuels, though used by a small group of vessels in the market for several years, have largely been unavailable due to the product’s small uptake.

However, biofuels are now increasingly being trialled by a variety of shipowners and operators due to IMO 2030/2050 and several samples have landed in VPS’ international labs, notes its Managing Director AMEA.

“In the last three or four months we have seen shipowners big and small testing out biodiesel and biofuels with different levels of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester),” shared Captain Rahul Choudhuri in response to a question from Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“Based on testing and feedback from numerous operators, there’s nothing really wrong with the fuel; everything seems to be okay.”

Captain Choudhuri’s thoughts were echoed by Md Harun Ar Rashid, Technical Manager at VPS, who shared the volume of biofuel bunker samples tested by VPS in the first quarter of 2021 was already equal to the entire amount tested in 2020.

“The advantage of biofuels is that it is easy to handle and doesn’t need infrastructure unlike liquefied natural gas (LNG),” Rashid explains.

“It has good ignition combustion quality, is low in aluminum silicon content, and possesses good energy value. Generally, the cold flow properties of biofuels are a little higher than marine gas oil but if you have heating, it should be fine.

“Also, another important point is actually most biofuels have a sulphur limit of 0.1% and 0.5%. So, if you have done the trial you can basically use a single grade for both Emission Control Areas (ECAs) and international waters.”

Stanley George, Group Technical & Science Manager at VPS, was positive of biofuels as a marine fuel – but warned of its shortcomings.

“We’re still all in the learning curve but based on what experience we have with biofuels at the moment it is safe to say that it is a good quality fuel and I think there is a good scope of using the material as a marine fuel,” he says.

“However, at last check we have also found biofuels to cause corrosion of the bunker fuel tanks due to oxidation; hence, proper storage of biofuels is critical.

“Discounting the various types of biofuels available in the market, there are also many do’s and don’ts when using biofuels as a marine fuel that shipowners need to take note of.”

Similar to the total sediment potential (TSP) and reserve stability number tests conducted for VLSFOs, biofuel bunker samples will need to undergo an oxidation and stability test with condition monitoring to understand their potential for prolonged storage, recommends Rashid. 

“We will be happy to advise and guide shipowners and operators on how trials should be conducted; several of our biggest clients are already on the trial phase and will be buying and using this new breed of alternative fuel very soon.”

VPS biofuels MT 

Photo credit: VPS and FUJCON 2021
Published: 1 April, 2021

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 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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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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