Alternative Fuels

MARINTEC – LR, DSIC, MAN to work on China’s first ammonia-powered ULCS

The classification society will also collaborate on decarbonisation and digitalisation research with CSSC.

Published

7 years ago

December 6, 2019

Admin

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted Approval in Principle to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC), and MAN Energy Solutions for an ammonia-fuelled 23,000 TEU Ultra-Large Container Ship (ULCS) concept design, the first ammonia as fuel design of its kind in China.

LR facilitated hazard identification (HAZID) workshops to determine potential hazards throughout the design phase, covering areas limited to the ammonia-fuelled engine and the external piping systems.

It also provided technical guidance regarding the ship’s design and the provision of technical materials, in accordance with the goals and functional requirements from current and anticipated regulatory rules, procedures and guidelines.

“DSIC has developed the concept design of the zero-carbon emission ULCV cooperating with MAN Energy Solution and Lloyd's Register. The ‘C-FUTURE’ solution is another pioneering initiative of DSIC on the development of green ships and clean energy applications,” commented Yang Zhizhong, President of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry, during the ceremony at Marintec China.

“DSIC will continue to strengthen cooperation with domestic and international partner, to develop environmentally friendly and efficient new ship type, to achieve more new breakthroughs.”

Moving forward, LR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s biggest shipbuilding group, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), to jointly study, research and develop marine equipment and technology.

The MoU, which has been signed at the start of Marintec China 2019, will include research into zero-emission vessel projects, trends and applications for meeting the IMO’s 2050 decarbonisation target.

The partners will jointly establish a Technology Research Centre in Shanghai to address the challenges of new regulation, whilst also leading the development and innovation of smart technologies within the global marine and offshore industries.

Additionally, LR and CSSC have agreed to hold a biennial ‘Global Shipping Forum’ that will coincide with Marintec, to promote discussion around key issues affecting the maritime industry.

The partners will also exchange training on a range of topics including cyber security, cruise ship design and the application of new energy sources for ships such as hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries.

LR will further offer technical support and training for gas carriers including ships for the carriage of LPG, LNG, ethane, hydrogen and ammonia.

“Lloyd’s Register is delighted to be partnering with CSSC, which is now the world’s biggest shipbuilding group,” said Alastair Marsh, LR Group Chief Executive.

“This MoU, which sees us jointly establish a Technology Research Centre in Shanghai and launch a biennial Global Shipping Forum, will allow us to share our insights and experience so we can both better support the maritime industry in navigating the decarbonisation and digitalisation challenges in the decade ahead.”

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 6 December, 2019

Newbuilding

Singapore-based Hong Lam Marine celebrates China launch of bunkering vessel “Priority”

‘As the first vessel in our latest series of four newbuilds, the bunkering vessel Priority represents an important milestone in our ongoing fleet renewal journey,’ the company said.

Published

3 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Admin

Singapore-based Hong Lam Marine celebrates China launch of bunkering vessel “Priority”

Singapore-based bunker tanker owner/operator and marine fuel supplier Hong Lam Marine on Monday (17 August) announced the successful launching of 7,999 dwt bunkering vessel Priority at Jiangmen Hangtong Shipbuilding Co Ltd in China on 12 August.

“As the first vessel in our latest series of four newbuilds, the bunkering vessel Priority represents an important milestone in our ongoing fleet renewal journey,” the company said in a social media post.

“Despite the intense summer heat, the launching was carried out smoothly and safely. Watching Priority taking to the water was a proud and memorable moment for everyone involved in the project.”

Hong Lam Marine added that the achievement reflected the strong partnership, dedication and teamwork of our project team, shipyard partners and stakeholders, whose collective efforts have brought the vessel to this significant stage of construction.

“We look forward to the successful completion and delivery of Priority in the months ahead and extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed to making this milestone possible,” the company added.

Photo credit: Hong Lam Marine
Published: 19 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

CMA CGM boxship takes on record 8,016 mt of biomethanol bunker fuel in Shanghai

“CMA CGM OSMIUM” completes the world’s largest single-batch biomethanol bunkering operation, with enough volume to cover its entire voyage from Shanghai to East Coast of South America.

Published

3 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Admin

CMA CGM boxship takes on record 8,016 mt of biomethanol bunker fuel in Shanghai

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Tuesday (18 August) said its 13,000 TEU dual‑fuel containership completed the world’s largest single-batch biomethanol bunkering operation at Shanghai Port.

CMA CGM OSMIUM was supplied with 8,016 metric tonnes (mt) of biomethanol in a single operation.

“This volume is enough to cover the vessel’s entire voyage from Shanghai to the East Coast of South America, with an estimated emissions reduction equivalent to 10,000 tonnes of CO₂,” the company said in a social media post.

Carried out in partnership with Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd and Shanghai International Port (Group) Co Ltd, CMA CGM said the operation demonstrates the potential of biomethanol for large-scale maritime applications and contributes to the development of lower-carbon fuel solutions for shipping.

Manifold Times previously reported SIPG Energy (Shanghai) Co Ltd (SIPG Energy) completing what it described as China’s first simultaneous two-vessel bunkering operation involving two different green marine fuels at anchorage, supplying LNG and bio-methanol to two vessels.

The company’s LNG bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai supplied LNG to PIL’s KOTA ELAN, while methanol bunkering vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan supplied domestically produced biomass-based methanol to CMA CGM’s dual-fuel container ship CMA CGM OSMIUM.

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 19 August, 2026

Methanol

ISO releases ISO 22120:2026 standard for bunkering of methanol-fuelled vessels

Document provides requirements for methanol bunkering transfer systems and equipment used to bunker methanol-fuelled.

Published

3 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Admin

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released ISO 22120:2026 which provides requirements for methanol bunkering transfer systems and equipment used to bunker methanol-fuelled vessels.

The document covers transfer systems, operational procedures, risk assessment, safety protection and personnel training.

According to the introduction, the document has been produced to meet an industry need for additional safety guidance related to the use of alternative fuels on board ships, as identified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“Due to numerous economic and environmental factors, the use of methanol as a vessel’s fuel has increased,” it said.

“The increase in methanol-fuelled vessels corresponds to an increase in methanol bunkering operations. Therefore, there is a need to standardize methanol bunkering operations internationally to a reasonable degree, so that vessel operators have the tools to select vessel fuel providers who meet set safety standards and so that methanol bunkering operations can be conducted safely.

“This document can be used for vessels involved in both international and domestic service, regardless of size.”

Note: The ISO 22120:2026 – Specification for bunkering of methanol fuelled vessels can be purchased here.

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 19 August, 2026