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Decarbonisation

Maritime executives discuss leadership, pragmatism, and collaboration under sea of uncertainty

Decarbonisation similar to ‘eating an elephant, one bite at a time’ as incremental progress is needed to achieve the goal, shares the CEO of GCMD.

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Driving maritime transformation towards IMO 2050 and the adoption of the IMO Net Zero Framework (NZF) demands a multifaceted approach: Requiring a strong, unified leadership to overcome political fragmentation, pragmatic and incremental solutions, and robust collaboration across the industry, agreed panellists at a recent conference.

Constantinos Capetanakis, IBIA Chair and Bunker Director at Star Bulk, was moderating ‘Session one: Leadership Discussion – Driving Maritime Transformation’ at the IBIA Annual Convention 2025 in Hong Kong on Tuesday (18 November) when the following panellists share their observations:

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Caroline Yang, CEO, Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, Past Chair, SSA; Former Vice Chair, ICS

Yang underscored the urgent need for strong, unified leadership in the global maritime sector.

She highlighted the current paradox of leadership, where some regions experience a breakdown of authority while others contend with overly strong, singular leaders – as seen in the failure by the MEPC extraordinary session in October 2025 to approve the IMO NZF.

“Today, we need strong, unified leadership—often a team rather than a single person,” she highlighted.

“The global maritime sector must come together, reflect on issues raised about the net-zero framework, and use platforms like the ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) to find solutions.

“While democracy is valued, a strong leader with a heart for their country is crucial for implementing long-term plans, as democracy and decarbonisation can sometimes be at odds.”

For the maritime industry, this translates into a demand for a robust team of leaders to navigate the complexities of decarbonisation.

Yang emphasised that the industry’s consensus on a net-zero framework, despite its imperfections, was a crucial step towards establishing a single set of global rules, preferable to fragmentation.

“The industry supported the net-zero framework because one set of global rules is preferable to fragmentation,” Yang explained.

“While not perfect, it was the best option. The way adoption was blocked through calculated, ‘brute force’ tactics was shocking.

“However, the delay provides 12 months to address valid points raised, such as fund management concerns. Like-minded industry and government players must regroup, rethink, and redress these issues.”

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Professor Lynn Loo, CEO, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD)

Professor Loo, meanwhile, noted the maritime sector can navigate the uncertainties and steer towards a sustainable future by bridging scientific rigor with commercial realities, fostering innovative financing, and embracing data-driven decisions.

She gave a preview on the Fund for Energy Efficiency Technologies (FEET) which secured total commitments of up to USD 35 million; FEET is the world’s first vessel retrofit fund to use a pay-as-you-save repayment mechanism, directly linking repayments to verified fuel and regulatory savings.

“The banks we work with understand the challenge, but risks remain due to uncertainty. Our ‘pay-as-you-save’ model pegs loan repayments to actual bunker fuel savings, helping spread risk and reward.

“The energy transition is inherently risky; the key is to use ideas like blended finance and diversified portfolios to collectively minimise and share risk.”

Moving forward, Professor Loo advocated for an incremental approach to decarbonisation, likening it to “eating an elephant, one bite at a time”.

“Incremental progress is vital. Energy efficiency is crucial for both current and future marine fuels,” she stated.

“Carbon capture is an important retrofit option for the two-thirds of the current fleet that will likely never use future fuels and would otherwise become stranded assets. It’s akin to installing a chemical factory on a ship, but it offers an option for vessels on unscheduled routes because we believe CO2 can be offloaded in a manner not too different from “deslopping”.

“There won’t be a single solution; choices depend on vessel, age, and routes.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 25 November 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.

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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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