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Decarbonisation

Hapag-Lloyd tackles huge fleet upgrade programme with DNV support

DNV shared on its technical support and evaluation of the different measures taken by Hapag-Lloyd in its major fleet upgrade programme of modifying over 100 container vessels to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

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Hapag-Lloyd's "Essen Express" (13,169 TEU) heading towards the ‘Köhlbrandbrücke’

Classification society DNV on Thursday (28 August) shared on its technical support and evaluation of the different measures taken by Hapag-Lloyd in its major fleet upgrade programme of modifying over 100 container vessels to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and costs per tonne-mile, and maximize cargo capacity: 

Adapting flexibly to new regulatory and market conditions has always been key to the success of Hapag-Lloyd AG (HLAG), enabling the company to build a legacy of over 175 years. Increasing demand for container transport and new emission rules prompted the container liner company to explore strategies to improve energy efficiency and the cargo carrying capacity of the fleet, which is partly owned and partly chartered.

Joining hands for the Loadability Push

As these plans began to take shape, HLAG asked their long-standing partner DNV to assist with an extensive fleet upgrade within the scope of the company’s Strategy 2030. The corporate goals include positioning HLAG as the “Undisputed Number one for Quality” in the container shipping market and taking the next steps towards HLAG’s sustainability goals of reducing its carbon emissions by one third by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2045.

The Fleet Upgrade Program as outlined in 2021 endeavours to determine the most economically feasible optimization measures for each ship to minimize operating costs and carbon emissions per tonne-mile and boost its cargo capacity. As the classification society of the relevant vessels, DNV is in charge of ensuring compliance with the latest rules and regulations. In addition, HLAG consulted with DNV’s class-independent Advisory experts, for engineering and technology advice, especially with regard to bulbous bow retrofits. “Our experiences working with DNV on our fleet in service have always been positive,” says Martin Grieger, Director Fleet Upgrade at HLAG. “Furthermore, being both an owner and operator, we’ve a dedicated Fleet Upgrade Team at HLAG that enables us to orchestrate such a project.”

DNV study explores feasibility of optimization measures

The team at DNV’s Container Excellence Center (CEC) in Hamburg has been supporting the initiative from the very beginning. In early 2021, DNV launched a systematic study into the optimization potential of 78 ships representing 11 different series. “DNV carried out calculations to verify the feasibility and potential cargo capacity increase,” Grieger points out.

DNV collected its findings in a comprehensive fleet overview spreadsheet that reflects the implications of four different retrofitting measures for each vessel or class: hull line optimization through modification of the bulbous bow; propeller retrofit; height increase of lashing bridges and deckhouse elevation; and draught increase.

Intricate interdependencies to consider for retrofitting

“All of these measures have short payback times,” explains Jan-Olaf Probst, Executive Vice President Business Development at DNV. “And they’re highly interdependent: retrofitting a new propeller to account for a ship’s reduced cruising speed typically requires modification of the bulbous bow to optimize the flow pattern around the hull and maximize efficiency; and increasing the height of lashing bridges might require an increase of draught, hatch cover reinforcements and in some cases, a deckhouse elevation to maintain the required line of sight. All these factors must be considered ship by ship.”

A good example are the seven T-class vessels modified to generate 900 additional container slots. “This was a compelling business case for us,” underlines Martin Grieger. “We increased the draught, raised up the lashing bridges and even cut off the top of the superstructure to raise it by six metres.

Note: The full article by DNV can be viewed here.

 

Photo credit: Hapag-Lloyd
Published: 1 September, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.
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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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