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NorthStandard: Risk assessments required for alternative fuel bunkering in US

Policy requires vessel owners and operators to work with the fuel supplier who will submit a bunkering proposal and a risk assessment plan for review by the Captain of the Port.

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Global marine insurer NorthStandard on Wednesday (13 August) shared on the new guidelines, issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), for bunkering of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other alternative marine fuels:

On July 24, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard issued Policy Letter No. 01-25, establishing a uniform, risk-based safety framework for all bunkering operations in US waters involving LNG and alternative marine fuels, such as: methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and LPG. This policy replaces earlier LNG-specific guidance from Policy Letters 01-15 and 02-15.

The policy requires vessel owners and operators to work with the fuel supplier who will submit a bunkering proposal and a risk assessment plan for review by the Captain of the Port (COTP) prior to any bunkering activity. This must be submitted in adequate time for review before the operation. The plan must include:

  • Information of the fuel to be delivered
  • Anticipated date ranges
  • Location and facilities
  • Details of the companies involved
  • Technical details of the vessels
  • Proposed participants in the risk assessment process
  • Risk assessment methodologies to be used (recommending ISO/IEC 31010)
  • Qualifications and training of personnel directly involved in the operation
  • Operational assumptions and any pre-identified hazards
  • Hazards associated with:
  1. Mooring, docking, or anchoring
  2. Connection and testing (including compatibility assessment)
  3. Fuel transfer operations (including pressure management and vapor return)
  4. Completion and disconnection
  5. Protection of critical infrastructure, waterways, personnel, and the environment
  6. Port emergency response capability
  7. Simultaneous operations (SIMOPS)

The COTP has enforcement authority to issue orders halting operations if the assessment is not submitted in time or if operations deviate from the approved plan.

Whilst the guidelines specifically mention it is the fuel suppliers responsibility to submit the documents, the specifics required in the plans require collaboration from the operators and owners.

The USCG advises there is no specific template required for submission. We suggest providing the information in the attached checklist to the fuel supplier during bunkering procurement to help prevent any delays in the bunkering process. Please note that this is a general guide only and should be adapted according to the vessel, fuel type, and port requirements.

Note: Download the checklist here.

Related: US Coast Guard issues new guidelines for alternative fuels bunkering operations

 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 14 August, 2025

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Methanol

Venture Energy facilitates largest single green methanol bunkering op in Hong Kong

The Wah Kwong subsidiary recently facilitated the supply of 1,000 mt of green methanol by the bunkering barge “Da Qing 268” to RoRo vessel “CM Shenzhen”, belonging to CM RoRo, with Sinopec HK.

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Venture Energy facilitates largest single green methanol bunkering op in Hong Kong

Hong Kong shipowner Wah Kwong Maritime Transport’s subsidiary, Venture Energy Limited (Venture Energy), on Friday (10 July) said it recently facilitated the largest single green methanol bunkering operation conducted in Hong Kong to date. 

Bunkering barge Da Qing 268 supplied 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of green methanol to RoRo vessel CM Shenzhen belonging to China Merchants Guangzhou RoRo Shipping Co., Ltd. (CM RoRo), with Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited (Sinopec HK). 

The operation utilised green methanol from Shanghai Shenji Energy & Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenji Energy), a subsidiary of Shenergy Group and Venture Energy Limited (Venture Energy) arranged the delivery.

“This milestone highlights Venture Energy’s supply capabilities to bridge growing demand in the Greater Bay Area with diversified supply sources across North and East China, contributing to the development of a reliable and scalable green marine fuel supply chain for the region,” the company said. 

Through close collaboration with Sinopec HK and other industry partners, Venture Energy helped ensure the safe and efficient delivery of green methanol to Hong Kong’s bunkering market.

The successful operation further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and an emerging green fuel bunkering hub. It also demonstrates the Greater Bay Area’s potential to establish a competitive, integrated and sustainable marine fuel ecosystem covering production, logistics, storage, bunkering and end-use applications.

Venture Energy will continue to collaborate with strategic partners across the green fuel value chain to support future bunkering operations and contribute to the development of low-carbon maritime Solutions.

 

Photo credit: Venture Energy
Published: 13 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

CMA CGM boxship completes first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam

“CMA CGM NOTRE DAME” took on 11,125 cubic metres of bio-LNG in Rotterdam in a 12-hour operation.

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CMA CGM completes first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Friday (10 July) said one of its LNG-powered containerships completed its first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam.

CMA CGM NOTRE DAME took on 11,125 cubic metres (m3) of bio-LNG – a renewable fuel that delivers a 67% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over its full life cycle – produced in Europe from biomethane derived from agricultural and organic waste.

The operation was completed in 12 hours. 

“At CMA CGM, we have been powering our vessels with LNG for several years, and our LNG-powered containerships are already compatible with bio-LNG,” it said. 

 

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 13 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Samskip container vessel become new demonstrator for HyShip project

HyShip project is entering a new phase as Samskip’s SeaShuttle container vessel becomes the project’s new demonstrator on the Oslo–Rotterdam route.

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Samskip container vessel become new demonstrator for HyShip project

Maritime CleanTech recently said the HyShip project is entering a new phase as Samskip’s SeaShuttle container vessel becomes the project’s new demonstrator on the Oslo–Rotterdam route.

The move gives HyShip a real-world application on a keyfreight route between Oslo and Rotterdam, linking liquid hydrogen innovation to vessels already under construction for commercial operation. 

By integrating onboard hydrogen storage systems with quayside bunkering systems, the project tackles one of the key challenges in scaling hydrogen-powered shipping: connecting fuel supply and port infrastructure with vessel operations. 

“This brings zero-emission freight transport one step closer to commercial deployment,” it said.

The company said connecting the ports of Oslo and Rotterdam, both part of the TEN-T network, is more than a project milestone. 

“It demonstrates how Europe can turn policy into practice by linking zero-emission vessels, hydrogen supply and bunkering infrastructure along one of the continent’s key freight corridors,” it said. 

It is exactly the kind of cross-border collaboration needed to accelerate the deployment of clean shipping, in line with the European Commission’s ambitions for the Trans-European Transport Network and the recently launched EU Ports Strategy.

As the project coordinator, Maritime CleanTech said it is proud to work with leading European partners to reduce risk, validate solutions and build the confidence needed to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen-powered shipping across Europe.

“We’re also pleased to welcome LH2 Shipping to the consortium. Their expertise in liquid hydrogen systems and bunkering solutions will further strengthen the project and help establish the infrastructure needed for future green shipping corridors,” it said. 

With support from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, HyShip is helping connect Europe through zero-emission shipping. 

The consortium also includes Maritime CleanTech, LMG Marin France, sus.lab at ETH Zurich, DNV SE, PERSEE, NCSR Demokritos, University of Strathclyde, Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding, DianaShipping Services S.A., and NAV-Tech.

Together, the partners bring expertise from across the hydrogen, maritime, research, and regulatory value chain to accelerate the development of practical, scalable solutions for liquid hydrogen shipping.

“The market needs projects that reduce uncertainty, align partners, and make future investment decisions easier. This collaboration is strategically important because it helps build confidence in liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel for shipping,” said Tore Boge, Head of EU Projects at Maritime CleanTech.        

HyShip is a European innovation project supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, aimed at accelerating the use of liquid hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel for shipping.

 

Photo credit: Samskip
Published: 13 July, 2026

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