Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

IMO issues call for African shipping project, includes alternative bunker fuels

IMO invites EOIs from eligible Member States to participate in targeted technical assistance activities aimed at enabling the development of environmentally sustainable alternative marine fuel value chains.
Admin

Published

5 months ago

on

Hennie Stander on Unsplash

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)-European Union “Future-Ready Shipping in Africa” project is seeking maritime Government stakeholders, who will receive technical support for decarbonization and digitalization in sub-Saharan Africa, according to IMO on Monday (23 February).

Calls for expressions of interest have been issued by IMO for the following:

  • Member State participation – Support for Strengthening Maritime Governance and Policy Frameworks for Decarbonization, Environmental Sustainability, and Digitalization in Sub-Saharan Africa (Circular Letter No.5117) seeks eligible Member States to participate in targeted technical assistance activities focused on strengthening maritime governance and policy frameworks in support of decarbonization, environmental sustainability and digitalization. (Deadline: 9 March 2026)
  • Digitalisation –  Support for enhancement of maritime single window (MSW) readiness and data-driven, digitalized maritime oversight in Sub-Saharan Africa (Circular Letter No.5115) seeks interested government entities in Sub-Saharan Africa (e.g. ministries, departments, agencies, etc.), as well as State-owned enterprises (SOEs). They will be supported to assess digital readiness  and infrastructure gaps for implementing a Maritime Single Window (MSW); map existing port community systems (PCS), MSW-related platforms, and IT infrastructure; assess feasibility and develop MSW implementation roadmap. (Deadline: 9 March 2026)
  • Education pilot – Support for Integrated Educational Pilot for Green and Digital Shipping in Sub-Saharan Africa (Circular Letter No.5114) seeks interested government entities in the Sub-Saharan Africa region (e.g. ministries, departments, agencies), including those responsible for maritime education and training, as well as regional or subregional maritime training institutions. They will be supported to develop and deliver upgraded curricula on alternative fuels, biodiversity-sensitive operations, digital technologies, and maritime governance. This will enable a diverse cohort of seafarers, instructors, and port professionals to acquire new competencies through enhanced training programmes, scholarships, and industry-linked practical and sea-time experience. (Deadline: 9 March 2026).
  • Alternative fuels – Support for feasibility assessments and bankable project development for environmentally sustainable alternative fuels (Circular Letter No.5116) seeks interested government entities in the Sub-Saharan Africa region (e.g. Ministries, Departments, Agencies, etc.), as well as State-owned enterprises (SOEs). They will be supported to assess port readiness and infrastructure gaps for alternative fuel bunkering and shipment; conduct safety, regulatory, and operational feasibility analysis; identify viable alternative fuel pathways; develop feasibility studies and prepare business cases. (Deadline: 9 March 2026).

Expressions of interest must be submitted by official government entities (e.g. Ministries, Departments, Agencies). Submissions from non-government organizations or the private sector must be endorsed by the respective Member State government entity.

“The “Future-Ready Shipping in Africa” project is designed to support the African continent’s transition towards a sustainable, decarbonized, and digitally advanced maritime sector, while strengthening institutional capacity, regional cooperation, and investment readiness,” IMO said.

The project is implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and funded by the European Union (EU).

Note: More details can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: Hennie Stander on Unsplash
Published: 24 February, 2026

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

17 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

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

Continue Reading

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.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

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

Continue Reading

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.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

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

Continue Reading

Trending