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Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping publishes paper on biodiesel bunker fuels

Paper presents the results from the working group, including an overview of regulatory drivers, onboard vessel bunkering, handling, and storage considerations.

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Using bio diesel onboard vessels

Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) on Tuesday (20 June) released a paper on fuel handling recommendations, fuel sample analysis procedures, and emission management considerations for using biodiesel bunker fuels.

“While biodiesels and bio-oils do not have the same chemical composition, performance, or qualities as each other, they present similar challenges for onboard use,” it said in a social media post.

“As a result, we established a dedicated working group to study the potential challenges of using biodiesel onboard vessels, which we expect to provide foundational knowledge of the challenges associated with the use of bio-oils onboard.”

The paper presents the results from the working group, including an overview of regulatory drivers, onboard vessel bunkering, handling, and storage considerations. 

“We also include experimental results from our investigations of fuel stability and NOX emissions measurement tests. Furthermore, we provide our recommended step-by-step processes for bunkering and onboard handling.”

Based on our investigations, the working group made the following conclusions:

  • Recent regulatory developments have lowered the barriers to using biofuels onboard vessels. However, work is still needed on fuel standards and sustainability life-cycle certification.
  • The Unified Interpretation (UI) approved at MEPC 78 in June 2022 allows for a more streamlined regulatory scenario for the use of biofuels onboard vessels, especially if flag states adopt the UI and classification societies and engine makers confirm no changes to the engine’s NOX
    critical components or settings/operating values.
  • With the lack of applicable fuel standards, it is presently up to the individual shipowner or operator to build knowledge and experience about proper fuel parameters and handling.
  • While some sustainability certification schemes exist, they must be standardized and aligned with the current and upcoming global and regional regulations.
  • Due to the possibility of varying stability, acidity, and corrosion characteristics of biodiesels, they must be handled and stored correctly onboard using operational measures with limited technical changes.
  • We recommend pre-bunkering steps including determining the blend composition, laboratory testing, and confirming compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) safety regulations and machinery.
  • Onboard handling requires bunker storage tank cleaning (subject to the sludge and sediment content in the bunker tanks) and adjustment of storage and transfer temperatures.
  • Fuel sample analyses can be used to indicate acceptable oxidation stability levels for typical fuel use periods. If required, readditization of antioxidants can prevent fuel oxidation, as seen from studies done in the automotive industry. Such trials are yet to be conducted in the maritime industry onboard vessels.
  • Results from three emissions measurement tests showed that NOX emission levels of biodiesel and biodiesel blends combusted in two-stroke slow speed marine engines are comparable with conventional fossil fuels, including heavy fuel oil (HFO), very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), and marine gas oil (MGO).
  • These results also indicate that there is no need for special emission reduction technologies or solutions to reduce NOX emissions further when using biodiesels. However, if NOX emission reduction is necessary, commercially available technologies and solutions exist.

The conclusions presented in the paper are based solely on tests of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)-based biodiesel fuels. The NOX emission levels presented here form a benchmark for comparison with fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils when their technology matures, and they are available in larger quantities.

To increase the viability of the liquid biofuel pathways, MMMCZCS encourages flag states, classification societies, and engine makers to jointly leverage the approved UI to remove the regulatory barriers for the use of biodiesels and bio-oils onboard vessels and support the development of fuel standards for blends with higher percentages of biodiesel and bio-oil.

The paper is the fourth in the Onboard Vessel Solustions series, covering the impact and role of vessel greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission reduction in maturing alternative fuel pathways.

Note: The paper titled ‘Using bio-diesel onboard vessels’ can be downloaded here.

 

Photo credit: Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center
Published: 23 June, 2023

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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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.

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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

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