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Alternative Fuels

MTF releases safety guidelines for using alternative bunker fuels

MTF’s guidelines address potential gaps related to Safety Management Systems development and implementation; including emergency procedures; and maintenance measures.
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The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) on Thursday (4 April) has released guidelines highlighting recommendations for developing and implementing the Safety Management System (SMS) under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, addressing specifically, potentially more hazardous alternative fuels used on board ships. 

This report follows last year’s publication, ‘Operational Management to Accelerate Maritime Decarbonisation’, which identified critical gaps in implementing three current regulatory Conventions and Codes.

The MTF’s guidelines address potential gaps related to Safety Management Systems (SMS) development and implementation; including emergency procedures; and maintenance measures. 

Through collaboration with industry stakeholders, MTF members developed recommendations after reviewing the ISM Code’s Part A implementation for each section.

Some of the highlights from the report may be listed as below:

  • While the experience with alternative fuels will at first be limited, the MTF guidelines outline actions for companies to develop new or strengthen existing SMS for alternative fuels on board their fleet.
  • Companies should implement a structured risk management within SMS to proactively identify improvements and learn through non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences related to alternative fuels, or through other companies or pilots.
  • The SMS should be versatile to accommodate mixed fuel operations and adapt to be ready for new fuel scenarios as alternative fuels are progressively scaled and become more mainstream throughout the industry.
  • Safe operations with alternative fuels will require an assessment of the competency, training, familiarisation and resources relevant to the specific alternative fuels. The human element in the operations associated with the handling, storage and utilisation of alternative fuels is critical, and should be considered to ensure safe operations.

Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said: “As new fuels play a more prominent role in the maritime industry progressively, it is important for the shipping community to adopt safety by design, so that the residual risks to other vessels and the port ecosystem are reduced to a minimum.”

“MPA welcomes the development of such work to support the holistic design of new and retrofitted vessels, and to distil learning points to develop training for maritime professionals.”

Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register, said: “These guidelines and recommendations from the MTF are an important step forward to achieving safe and sustainable operations and a great starting point to begin preparing for the use of alternative fuels.”

“The ISM Code provides a top-down approach to safety and is the ideal vehicle through which to drive training and skills for the safe handling of these fuels, not only under routine operations but also during emergencies such as equipment failures, fires, collisions, and malicious attacks.”

“Our biggest strength, however, will be learning from each other throughout the energy transition, ensuring we have a solid foundation to promote safety for our people at sea and in port.” 

Note: Download the full report by here.

 

Photo credit: Cameron Venti from Unsplash
Published: 8 April 2024

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FueLNG Bellina” successfully delivered LNG bunker fuel to “BYD Shenzhen”, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.
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May 16, 2025

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Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Thursday (15 May) announced the successful completion of its 400th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation in the republic.

FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte Ltd, marked the milestone with bunker tanker FueLNG Bellina successfully refuelling BYD Shenzhen, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier, at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.

“With a capacity of 9,200 vehicles and equipped with dual-fuel LNG propulsion, the BYD SHENZHEN represents the next generation of low-emission maritime transport,” it said in a social media post. 

Shell said it supported BYD Shenzhen on its maiden voyage as the supplier of the LNG bunker fuel. 

“Like all LNG dual fuel vessels, BYD Shenzhen is on the pathway to net zero emissions. She can take bio-LNG, and in the future e-LNG, in her fuel mix for further emission reduction and regulatory compliance,” it said in a separate social media post. 

 

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 16 May, 2025

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Biofuel

Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Chimbusco Pan Nation delivered 6,300 mt of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to boxship “XIN LOS ANGELES” on 15 May, exceeding its previous record of 5,500 mt delivered in February 2025.
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Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China's largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Hong Kong-based bunker supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (16 May) said it has set a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN said it delivered 6,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to container ship XIN LOS ANGELES on 15 May. 

The supply exceeded CPN’s previous record of 5,500 mt delivered to the same ship in February 2025.

“This collaboration reinforces CPN’s ability to execute large-scale marine biofuel bunkering with precision and reliability,” the company said in a social media post.

“By consistently supplying large volumes of B24 marine biofuel, CPN supports reduced carbon emissions and sustainable shipping practices globally.”

Related: CPN achieves largest B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Hong Kong and China

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 16 May, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

St1 delivers first locally produced biomethane to Swedish maritime sector for bunkering

St1 and its venture St1 Biokraft delivered their own Swedish-produced liquefied biomethane to Terntank’s vessel “Tern Ocean” in a bunkering operation at Port of Gothenburg.

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May 16, 2025

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St1 delivers first locally produced biomethane to Swedish maritime sector for bunkering

Finnish energy company St1 and its venture St1 Biokraft delivered their own Swedish-produced liquefied biomethane, also known as bio-LNG, to the local maritime sector for the first time, according to Port of Gothenburg on Thursday (15 May). 

Terntank’s vessel Tern Ocean was bunkered with the biomethane at the Port of Gothenburg. 

St1 and St1 Biokraft are now aiming to become large-scale suppliers of biomethane for shipping, while the Port of Gothenburg continues to pursue its goal of becoming Scandinavia’s primary bunkering hub for alternative fuels.

The bunkering operation recently carried out at quay 519 in the Port of Gothenburg was an important pilot test for St1 and St1 Biokraft as suppliers of biomethane to the maritime sector. The operation also served as a pressure test of the collaboration required across all parts of the value chain, with Terntank, gas infrastructure owner Nordion Energi, and the producers themselves all playing crucial roles.

“In order to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition, it is essential that all actors across the value chain pull in the same direction, cooperate, and translate ambitions into practice. We are pleased to have all of this in place at the Port of Gothenburg,” said Therese Jällbrink, Head of Renewable Energy at the Port of Gothenburg.

“Liquefied biomethane is an important part of the fuel palette that must be available to support the shipping industry’s transition. It is one of the fuels the Port of Gothenburg is working with within the framework of green shipping corridors, aimed at creating the conditions for fossil-free logistics chains. This bunkering operation brings us another step closer to our ambition of becoming Scandinavia’s primary bunkering hub for alternative fuels.”

St1 and St1 Biokraft have ambitions to become large-scale suppliers of liquefied biomethane for the maritime sector, with several new production facilities planned across Sweden.

In 2026, energy infrastructure company Nordion Energi will build a liquefaction facility for biomethane at the Port of Gothenburg, which will be connected to the West Sweden gas grid. With the facility in place, a new opportunity will be created for biomethane producers connected to the gas network to reach the maritime market.

“Once the liquefaction plant is completed, we will have a solid solution in place at the Port of Gothenburg. This is a strategic step towards our goal of scaling up and offering competitive liquefied biomethane to the shipping sector, thereby taking a leading position in this segment,” said Ted Gustavsson, Head of Value Chain at St1 Biokraft.

 

Photo credit: Port of Gothenburg
Published: 16 May, 2025

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