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KPI OceanConnect celebrates ‘outstanding’ first year since company merger

Firm reported earnings before tax of $15.1 million in FY 2020/21 and increased volumes of 26.5% during the same comparative period, says CEO Søren Høll.
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Soren Holl

Søren Høll, the CEO of international bunkering firm KPI OceanConnect, on Wednesday (11 August) issued a statement summarising the entity’s first year of operations since its merger and the outlook ahead:

CELEBRATING AN OUTSTANDING FIRST YEAR OF KPI OCEANCONNECT

One year ago, we successfully formed KPI OceanConnect from the merger between KPI Bridge Oil and OceanConnect Marine, to form a new brand with clear synergies and increased capabilities.

The merger was the first of its kind in the post-IMO 2020 era, and it created one of the largest and most experienced providers of marine fuels, lubricants, and expert advice in the shipping world.

We have a strong team of professionals operating from 15 locations globally, covering every major maritime hub and time zone. Through our continued focus on partnership and innovation over the years, our people have gained a reputation for transparency, decency and quality service in the industry.

A year of transformation

Using our collective expertise and partnership approach, we recently helped our customers and partners successfully navigate the arrival of IMO 2020, increased credit risks, and Covid-19. Our performance over the past year is a credit to every single one of my colleagues.

In June, we reported a strong financial year and increased volumes by 26.5% compared to the same period last year. We also reported earnings before tax of $15.1 million in the 2020/21 financial year, which factors in merger costs and the effects of Covid-19. Our organisation benefits from having robust financial strength even in the toughest markets, and our economies of scale enable a seamless service on a global basis. Indeed, our commitment to providing unique solutions to every client has brought us several major new business partnerships this year.

In today’s market, there’s a strong demand for a consultative approach to fuel procurement. However, time and time again this year I’ve spoken with prospective customers who are still receiving a commoditised service that’s bringing them very little value. Now more than ever, they’re recognising the need to work with a fuels services provider that has the experience, independence and integrity to provide the right solutions to meet their current and future needs.

For 50 years, we’ve been known for our partnership-based approach. Keeping focus on building long-term relationships, being agile and responsive to our partners’ requirements have been the conerstones of our success and growth into one of the world’s leading fuel services providers. Cutting corners does not pay off in the long run and especially so when major market transitions happen. Instead, it takes clear values, a well articulated purpose, and transparent corporate culture to lead shipping’s energy transition.

I believe that this ethos is one of the main reasons why the merger has been so successful. We were two companies that believed in the importance of strong, durable partnerships, and it’s this melding of organisations with similar values and cultures that has helped us to flourish. The synergies created by the merger has also significantly strengthened our position as a trusted player in shipping’s transition to low-carbon marine energy, and we’re committed to providing innovative solutions to reduce the industry’s impact on the planet.

Driving decarbonisation with transparency at the forefront

The shipping world’s decarbonisation targets are set for 2030 and 2050, and as such we look ahead to plan for this journey with ‘sustainability’ and ‘transparency’ as our watchwords. There’s no single pathway to shipping’s decarbonisation journey, but asking the right questions and having the right partner will help you to evolve in line with these market transformations.

I firmly believe that companies like ours have a responsibility in these transitory periods, and we’re working with several partners to ensure that our counterparts are always able to find the right fuels in the right locations for their ships at all times in the coming decades. We’re committed to decarbonisation and creating a more sustainable future for our industry, and the world.

As a first step on this pathway, we recently completed our first carbon-neutral fuel supply with a long-term client in the seismic research sector. And in July 2021, we launched an Alternative Fuels and Special Projects division to enhance our customers’ ability to achieve their sustainability ambitions. These developments, although a major investment, are entirely necessary for the durability of our business and our commitment to our long-term partnership approach. Most importantly, we’re creating real value for our clients, while fuelling shipping’s decarbonisation journey.

There will be much more to come from KPI OceanConnect in the next few years as we work together to unlock shipping’s green future. I look forward to sharing that journey with you.

 

Photo credit and source: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 12 August, 2021

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Incident

MPA: 25 crew rescued after abandoning “MSC HERMES III” east of Vietnam

MRCC Singapore coordinated the rescue after receiving a distress alert at about 8.45am as the vessel was within Singapore’s Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

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September 23, 2026

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RESIZED bunker tanker singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said all 25 crew members from the Liberia-registered container vessel MSC HERMES III were rescued on 22 September 2026. 

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore coordinated the rescue after receiving a distress alert at about 8.45am (Singapore Time). 

“The vessel was within Singapore’s Maritime Search and Rescue Region (MSRR), about 300km east of Vietnam,” MPA said in a statement. 

MRCC Singapore immediately issued a broadcast requesting vessels in the vicinity to render assistance. Three vessels responded, and MSC RUBY recovered all 25 crew members after they had abandoned MSC HERMES III in a lifeboat. 

“All 25 crew members are safe, with no injuries reported,” MPA said. 

“MRCC Singapore is coordinating with the Vietnamese MRCC on arrangements for the rescued crew members to return safely to shore.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

GCMD, Equinor to combine expertise on alternative bunker fuels, decarbonisation solutions

Equinor brings extensive experience to partnership as a vessel charterer and marine fuel supplier, including chartering dual-fuel LNG and methanol tankers, testing biofuels and supplying methanol.
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September 23, 2026

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GCMD, Equinor to combine expertise on alternative bunker fuels, decarbonisation solutions

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and Equinor on Tuesday (22 September) announced a five-year Impact partnership.

The partnership brings together GCMD’s capabilities in conducting real-world maritime pilots with Equinor’s experience as a charterer, energy provider and developer of low-carbon solutions.

Together, the organisations will leverage their complementary expertise to help address technical and operational gaps in scaling alternative marine fuels and supporting the development and uptake of other maritime decarbonisation solutions.

GCMD’s work on alternative fuels, including biofuels, ammonia and methanol, focuses on two critical aspects of deployment: operational safety and robust monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV). Its pilots and studies are generating operational data to support safe bunkering and handling of these fuels. 

At the same time, its assurance work seeks to strengthen confidence in quantity, quality and GHG emissions abatement.

“Equinor brings extensive experience as a vessel charterer and marine fuel supplier. This includes chartering dual-fuel LNG, LPG and methanol tankers, testing and using biofuels and supplying methanol to the maritime sector,” GCMD said.

Equinor is also piloting the use and supply of ammonia as a marine fuel, contributing to the development of associated safety, regulatory and bunkering arrangements.

Combining these perspectives can help address practical barriers to alternative fuels deployment while strengthening assurance across emerging marine fuel value chains.

Beyond alternative fuels, GCMD is working to accelerate the adoption of solutions that can reduce emissions from the existing fleet, including energy efficiency technologies (EETs) and onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS).

GCMD’s work on EETs includes quantifying real-world fuel savings from technologies such as wind-assisted propulsion systems and developing financing mechanisms to scale their adoption. In OCCS, Project CAPTURED demonstrated an end-to-end value chain for onboard captured and liquefied CO₂, generating evidence that contributed to the recognition of captured CO2 under the EU ETS and in-principle support at the IMO for recognising carbon mineralisation as permanent storage.

Equinor brings decades of experience in offshore CO₂ storage, including its role in the development and operation of Northern Lights, the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage facility, where liquefied CO₂ is transported by ship to an onshore receiving terminal before it is sent by pipeline for permanent geological storage beneath the North Sea.

Through the partnership, GCMD and Equinor will explore opportunities to combine their respective capabilities and experience to support the deployment and scaling of maritime decarbonisation solutions.

 

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 23 September, 2026

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Decarbonisation

Wah Kwong NatPower, AREL partner on maritime electrification in Hong Kong

Collaboration will examine opportunities to deploy shore power facilities, vessel charging infrastructure and battery energy storage solutions, alongside the development of electric vessels.
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September 23, 2026

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Wah Kwong NatPower, AREL partner on maritime electrification in Hong Kong

Wah Kwong NatPower (WK NatPower) on Tuesday (22 September) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises Limited (AREL) to explore the electrification of piers, vessels and supporting energy infrastructure in the Aberdeen area of Hong Kong.

Against the backdrop of the HKSAR Government’s latest policy direction to advance green shipping, smart port development and shore power infrastructure, WK NatPower and AREL will explore the development of an integrated marine electrification ecosystem in the Aberdeen and Shum Wan areas. 

The collaboration will examine opportunities to deploy shore power facilities, vessel charging infrastructure and battery energy storage solutions, alongside the development of electric vessels for future transport and tourism services.

The initiative supports Hong Kong to become a leading hub for sustainable maritime innovation while contributing to the revitalisation of one of the city’s most iconic waterfront communities. As an initial phase of the collaboration, the two parties will explore the opportunity for the construction of a series of electric vessels and transport vessels. 

The initiative will also examine the potential deployment of the ApliAber® electric vessel fleet as a new benchmark for sustainable waterfront mobility and hospitality experiences in Hong Kong.

Vincent Ni, General Manager of WK NatPower, said: “This MoU marks an important step in supporting Hong Kong’s marine energy transition. Aberdeen has long been an iconic part of Hong Kong’s maritime heritage, and we are delighted to explore opportunities to develop integrated shore power and vessel electrification solutions that can support a cleaner and more sustainable future for the harbour.”

Wong Tai Yu, Director of AREL, said: “Through this collaboration, we look forward to exploring practical ways to introduce cleaner energy, electric vessels and sustainable waterfront experiences, while supporting the revitalization of Jumbo Kingdom® for future generations.”

 

Photo credit: Wah Kwong NatPower
Published: 23 September, 2026

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