Alternative Fuels

LR awards AiP to HB Hunte Engineering for gas storage and supply system

System is designed to offer a space saving solution for smaller LNG-fuelled vessels that have limited room onboard; supports decarbonisation goals of maritime industry.

Published

4 years ago

September 13, 2022

Admin

Classification Society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Thursday (8 September) said it has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HB Hunte Engineering for its new compact fuel storage and supply system.

The new design combines the tank connection space, as required by the IGF Code, and the fuel storage hold, in which the type C fuel gas tanks are located, offering space and cost advantages.

The gas storage and supply system is designed to offer a space saving solution for smaller LNG-fuelled vessels that have limited room onboard. With more LNG solutions being implemented on small-scale vessels, the concept can deliver significant efficiency advantages for new buildings as well as retrofits.

LR awarded the AiP following a thorough analysis that confirms the technical and regulatory feasibility of the system, becoming the first classification society to approve HB Hunte’s design.

Wolfgang Franzelius, Director Sales & Business Development, HB Hunte Engineering, said: “We realised that standard solutions for fuel gas systems will not work for small-scale vessels. Accordingly, we thought about a system which will require less space, a smaller ventilation system, shorter pipe routing and overall, less equipment costs. Thanks to LR’s technical support and intense alignments with some of our partners, we are now in a position to offer an efficient system, to support the challenging decarbonisation goals of the maritime industry.”

Manuel Ortuño, Area Technical Support Office Manager North Europe, Lloyd’s Register, said: “Awarding Approval in Principle for HB Hunte’s new fuel storage and supply system is a proud moment for LR. The compact solution will provide a number of benefits encouraging small-scale LNG newbuilds as well as incentives for retrofitting vessels. The maritime industry cannot limit decarbonisation measures to larger vessels and this solution will be a valuable tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the small-scale LNG fleet.”

Markus Büsig, North Europe President, Lloyd’s Register, added: “Clearly, developing this system represents an important step towards reducing the carbon footprint and enabling cleaner emissions in the segment of ships between 24m to 150m in length covered by LR’s Special Service Craft Rules (SSC). As not exclusively developed for LNG, the AiP will be an enabler for the use of various types of future green fuels for governmental, coastal, support and supply vessels.”

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 13 September, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Following the successful deployment of “ONE Singapore” and its sister vessels, “ONE Solidarity” will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Singapore-based container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Thursday (3 July) said it celebrated the maiden voyage of containership ONE Solidarity as the ship made its first-ever arrival in Shekou, China.

“As one of our S-series methanol and ammonia ready container vessels, ONE Solidarity is another demonstration of ONE’s commitment to sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post.

Following the successful deployment of ONE Singapore and its sister vessels, ONE Solidarity will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

“Her deployment will boost our service capacity, ensuring faster, more reliable, and highly efficient shipping offerings across key global trade lanes,” the company added.

Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 3 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Following delivery of the ship in China, it will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, strengthening Fratelli Cosulich’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Thursday (2 July) celebrated the delivery of Lucia Cosulich at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel is the second of four sister methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within the Group’s fleet expansion programme and follows the launching ceremony held on 2 May 2026.

Designed to support the Group’s bunkering operations and future fuel requirements, Lucia Cosulich is part of the new generation of vessels developed by Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy to combine operational reliability, safety and fuel flexibility.

Lucia Cosulich will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, further strengthening the Group’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

“We wish Lucia Cosulich and her crew fair winds on the next stage of her journey,” the company said.

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 3 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026 compared to 155 in the same period in 2025.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025.

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026