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LR AiP awarded to Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for ammonia bunkering vessel

AiP awarded following joint development project between LR and HMD for development of vessels to support the global maritime ammonia bunkering network.

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Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Thursday (7 September) said it granted Approval in Principle for a 10,000 cbm ammonia bunkering vessel developed by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD).

The AiP was awarded following a joint development project (JDP) established earlier this year to meet the global demand for safe design and operation of alternative fuel bunkering vessels.  

HMD’s vessel design incorporates two cylindrical type ‘C’ tanks, a reliquefication plant, a sophisticated loading arm with easy manoeuvrability for safe operations. The vessel has both single and twin-screw variants with different propeller options for operators.  

LR said ammonia bunkering is widely anticipated to become a significant part of the maritime energy transition during the mid to late part of the decade.

“The development of vessels with the capability to refuel ammonia ships will be crucial to ensuring its uptake across the board by ship owners and operators,” it said. 

LR is currently undertaking key feasibility studies into using clean ammonia to refuel ships at the world-scale ports in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and was a founding member of The Castor Initiative, a global coalition to build the world’s first ammonia-fuelled tanker by 2025. 

Alongside these projects, LR’s Maritime Decarbonisation Hub released a joint study earlier this year into ammonia safety onboard ships with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, which found that a range of mitigation methods, from ship design to crew training and operations, are required to keep toxicity risks to crew within published tolerable limits.  

Andy McKeran, Chief Commercial Officer, Lloyd’s Register, said: “This HMD design is another significant step in the requirements for safe, efficient gas bunkering worldwide. We are at the start of the Ammonia bunkering era, and it is vital that we continue to see the industry is develop technical solutions to support commercial and regulatory requirements. No-one knows at what speed the commercial take-up of Ammonia fuelled shipping will now proceed but concrete technical progress is being made.” 

Chan-il Kim, VP, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, said: “We, HMD forecast that Ammonia fuelled vessels will be widely adopted by the marine market as a substitute for conventional fuels in accordance with recently strengthened IMO GHG reduction and our design will timely respond to market demand for bunkering of ammonia in the upcoming future. As a first mover in the initial ammonia bunkering era, we, HMD will continuously endeavour to improve our design with LR.”

 

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 8 September

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Biofuel

GREENMARINE and Vertoro to accelerate adoption of lignin-alcohol as marine fuel

Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.

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Methanol marine fuels consultancy GREENMARINE and Vertoro, a Maersk-backed Dutch start-up focused on developing liquid lignin technology which can be used as a bunker fuel, has signed an agreement to jointly accelerate the market validation and commercial roll-out of lignin-alcohol as sustainable marine fuels.

“We at GREENMARINE Group are excited to join forces with Vertoro to bring their revolutionary lignin alcohol blend fuel to market,” said Fredrik Stubner, founder and CEO of GREENMARINE Group.

“This breakthrough technology redefines sustainable maritime fuels, delivering environmental benefits and cost efficiencies, paving the way for a greener, more competitive shipping industry.”

Dr. Michael Boot Boot, co-founder & co-CEO Vertoro, replied, “GREENMARINE Group has an excellent track record as a match maker for green fuel producers with engine manufacturers and shipping companies, opening many doors for us on both the fuel validation and offtake side.”

Vertoro, founded in 2017, produces liquid lignin exclusively from sustainably sourced forestry and agricultural residues by means of a patented thermochemical process. Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.

Related: Maersk invests in Dutch start-up Vertoro to develop green lignin marine fuels

 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP from Unsplash
Published: 11 July 2025

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Newbuilding

Singapore: Pinnacle Marine’s first B100 fuelled utility boat starts 1,000-hour research trial

Newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

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The 50th vessel constructed by local boat builder Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, namely President 100, is starting 1,000 hours of real-time research trials in collaboration with several parties from Wednesday (9 July) onwards, it says.

Powered by B100 biodiesel, the newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

It will be participating in trials with Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore, China Classification Society, Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd, Abo Shoten, Ltd. / 株式会社安保商店 , Abo Singapore, Wilmar International, Gulf Marine, Amspec Testing & Services, and AYK Engineering and Consulting.

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The President 100, Pinnacle Marine’s first full biodiesel utility boat, was launched on Tuesday in the presence of over 100 guests.

“Our latest vessel, President 100, merges legacy and future. Named after our first aluminium boat (“President”) and inspired by B100 biodiesel, it leads the charge for our next 50 vessels — many of which will embrace green technology,” stated Pinnacle Marine in a LinkedIn post.

“The launch was amazing, with strong turnout from across the maritime sector — authorities, shipowners, operators, agencies, chandlers, researchers, offshore engineers, and petrochemical suppliers.”

It added: “We’re excited to see how it paves the way for wider adoption of B100 biodiesel — a cleaner, sustainable path for Singapore’s harbour craft sector.”

 

Photo credit: Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Published: 9 July 2025

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Newbuilding

BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fuelled bulk carriers

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

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BHP ammonia DF charters

Global resources company BHP on Wednesday (2 July) signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of COSCO shipping Group (COSCO Shipping) for the charter of two ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

The new vessels to be built under this arrangement will be two of only a handful of vessels in the world capable of using ammonia as a bunker fuel.

The two vessels, expected to be delivered from 2028, will primarily transport iron ore from Western Australia to Northeast Asia.

When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ammonia, these vessels will be capable of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50% and up to 95% on a per voyage basis compared to a conventionally fuelled voyage.

The five-year time charter contracts are expected to contribute towards a reduction in the GHG emissions intensity of BHP chartered shipping.

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan – the process of fuelling ships with ammonia – for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

Sourcing lower and low to zero GHG emissions ammonia is subject to an ongoing tender process.

 

Photo credit: BHP
Published: 9 July 2025

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