Alternative Fuels

KPI OceanConnect, Deloitte and ZTLment partner on using blockchain in shipping value chain

Inclusion of blockchain technology on digital platform for marine energy trading, allows platform to link the flow of purchasing marine fuels and carbon offsets, amongst others.

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2023

Admin

Marine energy solutions provider KPI OceanConnect, multinational professional services network Deloitte and payment services provider ZTLment on Friday (7 July) announced a new partnership to incorporate blockchain technology into marine energy trading through the AuctionConnect platform to ensure greater traceability in the value chain and improve maritime sustainability.

The organisations will combine their innovative approaches and expertise at the sixth International Blockchain School hackathon in August 2023 to develop a transparent, sustainable method for carbon offsetting transactions in the shipping industry.

Whatever the agreements reached during the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 80 discussions, transparency, innovation and the digital technologies that support them will be fundamental to helping the shipping industry manage its carbon footprint and automate payments in the value chain.

As the uptake of carbon credits will increase in both the voluntary and mandatory markets, KPI OceanConnect, Deloitte and ZTLment recognise the need for greater transparency in the value chain. Using blockchain technology to provide an unalterable record of carbon credit transactions, the collaboration aims to restore trust in carbon offsets, and create a reliable and effective picture of emissions reductions. This will help to solve the long-standing challenge of the accuracy and reliability in carbon offsetting claims.

In this partnership, Deloitte brings its wealth of knowledge and large network, while ZTLment brings its platform for moving real money with smart contracts and expertise in developing fully regulated blockchain technology.

For KPI OceanConnect, the initiative reinforces its position as an innovative, transparent and sustainability-driven partner for the shipping industry. The organisation is further enhancing compliance, security and transparency for clients using its marine energy trading platform, AuctionConnect, while also supporting the shipping industry in its alignment with sustainability goals. If the hackathon is successful the solution is expected to be taken to production in the fall of 2023.

Per Funch-Nielsen, Director of AuctionConnect, said: “The shipping industry has a crucial role to play in the global transition to a low-carbon economy, which also means that the industry is seeing a lot of demands from customers, regulators, investors and credit institutions to reduce its climate footprint. The development of green fuels is a viable pathway towards decarbonisation for a sector at the heart of the energy transition.”

“However, many alternative fuels are still in the early stages of development for widespread use in shipping globally. Along with biofuels, an immediate solution to reduce emissions is carbon offsetting. The inclusion of blockchain technology on our world leading digital platform for marine energy trading, allows us to link the flow of purchasing marine fuels and carbon offsets, to provide immutable proof of the transaction, the ownership of the carbon credit and the payment.”

Mads Stolberg-Larsen, Co-founder and CEO at ZTLment, said: “Blockchain technology allows ZTLment to take payments and documentation of carbon credits and connect them on a single infrastructure with full traceability for all parties. My prediction is that carbon credits will be the first value chain in the world to be completely tokenised through blockchain technology, creating a whole new era of reliability and transparency.

“Using smart contracts technology, we can create a direct link between the flow of funds, the fuels and the carbon credits that have been purchased. KPI OceanConnect’s clients will complete a normal bank transfer, where the money is uploaded to the blockchain and automatically distributed to the various suppliers. If the fuel buyer doesn’t have a blockchain address, they simply download a certified document from the AuctionConnect platform, which references all the underlying blockchain transactions.”

Rasmus Winther Mølbjerg, Director at Deloitte, said: “We see huge potential for blockchain technology to accelerate the green transition. Strategic partnerships like ours with KPI OceanConnect and ZTLment are the way forward. Blockchain technology has enormous potential to create trust and transparency in the green economy.”

“That’s why companies need to come together to implement robust procedures for issuing, tracking and retiring carbon credits to ensure accountability throughout the entire trading process. Applying systemic trust and transparency in the digital era has never been more important.”

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 10 July, 2023

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Biofuel

Ulsan Port aims to become leading bio bunker fuel supply hub in Northeast Asia

UPA’s Director Byeong-gu Kim unveiled comprehensive plans to promote marine biofuel adoption centered on Ulsan Port at 2nd Forum on the Commercialization of Biofuels for Maritime Vessels in Seoul.

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April 25, 2025

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Ulsan Port aims to become leading bio bunker fuel supply hub in Northeast Asia

Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) on Thursday (24 April) said it is looking to position the port as a leading biofuel supply hub in Northeast Asia.

UPA, Korea’s port operator for energy and petrochemical logistics, emphasised its strategic role in building a stable marine biofuel supply chain aligned with tightening global regulations.

UPA's Director Byeong-gu Kim unveiled comprehensive plans to promote marine biofuel adoption centered on Ulsan Port at a recent biofuel forum in Seoul, highlighting the port's strategic advantages including its world-class petrochemical infrastructure, extensive storage facilities, and specialised handling expertise.

The presentation showcased UPA's commitment to developing the necessary facilities and operational frameworks to become Northeast Asia's “premier biofuel bunkering destination”.

“As IMO environmental regulations intensify, Ulsan Port Authority is strategically positioned to lead the transition to alternative fuels,” stated UPA President Jae-young Byeon.

“Marine biofuels represent a practical alternative that can be implemented immediately without requiring new vessel construction or retrofitting. UPA will continue to strengthen port-centered biofuel supply networks and create a competitive eco-friendly marine fuel market through our advanced infrastructure and technical expertise.”

Chief Executive of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC), Hong Sun-bae, emphasised that “the strategic partnership between the shipping industry and the logistics sector has become more important than ever in this era of climate-friendly economic transition.”

The 2nd Forum on the Commercialisation of Biofuels for Maritime Vessels, hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and co-organized by UPA and KMC, drew around 300 key stakeholders from across the shipping, energy, terminal, shipbuilding, and finance sectors.

The event underscored the increasing urgency of eco-friendly fuel adoption, following the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s approval of mid-term greenhouse gas reduction measures.

Expert sessions featured actionable insights and market intelligence from key players in the maritime and energy sectors:

Key outcomes from the 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC83) by Team Leader Dae-jung Hwang of KMC
Biofuel utilisation and demonstration cases by Manager Dae-sik Seo of HMM
Current usage status and challenges of B100 biofuel by Manager Min-guk Jang of G-Marine Service
Market outlook for marine biofuels by Chief Surveyor Jae-hoon Lim of DNV
Case studies of biofuel applications for marine engines by Team Leader Jae-yup Seo of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
Global marine biofuel market trends and bunkering developments by Senior Manager Yul-kyung Hong of Hyundai Fuels

Photo credit: Ulsan Port Authority
Published: 25 April, 2025

Shipping Corridor

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe shipping corridor

Corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton.

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Admin

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe green shipping corridor

Korean non-government organisation Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) on Wednesday (23 April) released a report proposing the establishment of a green methanol-fuelled South Korea-Europe shipping corridor.

The proposed corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton, presenting strategic pathways for the decarbonization of the maritime sector.

South Korea has announced its “Greenship-K Program” to accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly vessels and set a national goal to achieve a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by 2050.

Focusing on a green methanol-fuelled Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operation model, the report quantitatively assessed the potential for greenhouse gas reduction along key routes. Notably, the Bremerhaven–Pyeongtaek route alone is estimated to reduce more than 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, given its high cargo volume.

The report proposed the adoption of green methanol as the primary fuel for the corridor, with a long-term goal to transition toward e-methanol. This shift is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional fossil fuel use.

Beyond fuel switching, the report emphasised the importance of securing a stable green fuel supply chain, establishing supportive legal and institutional frameworks, and fostering close public-private cooperation among shipping companies, cargo owners, port operators, and fuel suppliers to make the corridor a viable reality.

“With these foundational elements in place, Pyeongtaek Port is well positioned to become the starting point of Korea’s transition toward a decarbonised maritime sector,” SFOC said.

Note: The full report by SFOC can be viewed here and it is also available in Korean here.

Photo credit: Solutions for Our Climate
Published: 25 April, 2025

Biofuel

MASH Makes powers first vessel trial with bio bunker fuel from carbon-negative process

NORDEN and MASH Make completed the world’s first commercial vessel trial using B20 blend produced from a carbon-negative process; vessel operated on a roundtrip voyage from Singapore to Brazil.

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Admin

MASH Makes powers first vessel trial with bio bunker fuel from carbon-negative process

Global shipping company DS NORDEN and renewable energy company MASH Makes on Thursday (21 April) successfully completed the world’s first commercial vessel trial using biofuel produced from a carbon-negative process.

The vessel operated on a roundtrip voyage from Singapore to Brazil, successfully using 65 tonnes of fuel blend with 20% MASH Makes biofuel in its auxiliary engine.

“This trial proves that MASH Makes’ biofuel is suitable for marine engines, and it marks an important milestone towards bringing the fuel into our operation,” said Henrik Røjel, Head of Decarbonisation and Climate Solutions, NORDEN.

The trial demonstrated that MASH Makes’ biofuel is technically a drop-in fuel, compatible with existing systems and capable of reducing reliance on fossil fuels in specific marine applications.

The results point to a practical path for shipowners to cut emissions without waiting for new infrastructure.

If the new agreement by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to cap and price excess emissions globally is ratified in October 2025, MASH Makes offers a solution that enables shipowners to start significantly reducing their emissions well before the agreement takes effect in 2028.

“Our biofuel meets the technical requirements of the shipping industry and can be used in unmodified engines. It’s a seamless, scalable alternative ready to cut emissions today,” said MASH Makes CEO Jakob Bejbro Andersen.

Unlike emerging fuels like green hydrogen or ammonia, which require new infrastructure, MASH Makes biofuel integrates directly with existing systems.

NORDEN acquired a minority stake in MASH Makes in 2023 to strengthen its future supply of renewable fuels. Since the acquisition, the two companies have worked closely together to validate the biofuel for marine usage.

Photo credit: DS NORDEN
Published: 25 April, 2025