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Port of Rotterdam: Transitioning to green inland shipping

Caroline Nagtegaal, Member of the European Transport & Tourism Committee, provides details on next steps for the decarbonisation of EU’s inland shipping sector.
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The Port of Rotterdam on Friday (4 February) published an interview with MEP Caroline Nagtegaal where she shared next steps for the decarbonisation of EU’s inland shipping sector:

Within the European Parliament, MEP Caroline Nagtegaal is a key player in the Transport & Tourism Committee. Last year, her own-initiative report on inland waterway transport has been adopted by a large majority in the European Parliament.

Moreover, she has been appointed as shadow rapporteur on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation and Energy Taxation Directive proposals. How does she look back on 2021 and what can we expect from her in the year ahead?

How can inland shipping contribute to the EU’s objectives to reduce CO2 emissions? What do you see as promising innovations and projects?

‘First of all, let me start by saying that inland navigation was not that present in the transport debate in Parliament. That is why I started with online consultation hours in order to find out what is already happening in the sector and where I could help. And one thing became crystal clear to me: this is a sector that is working hard to improve itself. And yes, also for inland shipping this green (energy) transition plays a major role, this ‘green growth’ I often call it. Think for example of the Alphenaar: the first Dutch inland vessel using interchangeable energy containers developed by ZES for transporting beer between Alphen aan den Rijn and Moerdijk for Heineken. So when I was given the opportunity to write an own-initiative report on behalf of the European Parliament, the energy transition was one of the main points I wanted to make. Because that will be a gigantic challenge.’

‘The negotiations on the report were at times tough – especially on the needed energy transition – but we managed to get a very comfortable majority. 641 of the 705 Members of European Parliament voted in favor of the report! I am very happy to receive the large support, because to me this is a very important topic. With this report we have an agreement in Parliament and laid the foundations of how the inland waterway sector needs to develop and, more crucially, how we can support the sector towards the goal of greener and more digital inland navigation in Europe.’

What role do ports play in accommodating the green transition of inland shipping?

“Ports play an indispensable role in achieving the green ambitions in the European Green Deal and a circular economy approach plays a big role in this regard. The world’s population is expected to peak at 10 billion in 2050. Our resources are not limitless. A circular approach helps us to prevent exhausting our resources and creates business opportunities that can offer new ways to mitigate these risks and allows ports and business to grow. Sea and inland ports are an ideal location to develop circular economy projects, they can be the matchmakers! Both the presence of industry and the proximity to large urban agglomerations make them ideal places to turn waste into products. And, not unimportant, it creates jobs!’

‘A circular approach increases the economic benefits for ports while mitigating the negative impacts of port activities on surrounding urban areas. A win-win if you ask me. A great example is the Copenhagen-Malmö port, where a port-owned biogas plant produces clean electricity from ship waste and the produced clean electricity is consumed for shore supply to ships or for other purposes like buildings. This lead to great cost reduction, less emissions and less noise pollution as the ships didn’t have to use their engine when at berth.’

‘In Brussels, I always stress the importance of greening transport and infrastructure, and of course inland waterway transport especially. We shouldn’t be seeing it as a ‘must’, but something that we simply ‘have to do’. Because it offers plenty of opportunities, and everyone will benefit from it!’

‘Finally, ports play a huge role in the energy transition. They have the potential to become the clean energy hubs of tomorrow and the backbone of the future energy networks. Think of fuels such as hydrogen. A strong public-private partnership is of undeniable importance in this respect, like the one of the Porthos (CCS) project!’

The EU has various funding mechanisms at its disposal to support the inland shipping sector. What are according to you the investment priorities?

‘In my report I stress that the energy transition in inland waterway transport will create a funding gap approaching €10 billion, which cannot be financed by the sector alone. Inland waterway transport consists mostly out of family businesses, hard-working entrepreneurs, who figuratively and literally navigate on their pension. For them, it is important that the right conditions are set for creating a green business case and that the skipper or inland port has the reassurance that their large and risky investment will pay itself back eventually. And exactly on that, they can use some help. That is why I call on the European Commission in my report to set up a European inland waterway fund, in order to support the sector financially in the green and digital transition. And this fund needs to be accessible for family businesses and SMEs, without unnecessary administrative burden, and including a one-stop-shop system that is easily accessible for help and assistance. Only then, we will be able to keep this energy and hands-on mentality of the sector and will we be able to prepare a more sustainable future for inland navigation in Europe.’

Your own-initiative report has been adopted by a large majority of the European Parliament last September. What can the inland shipping sector expect from you next?

‘The foundations have been laid with my report. We have an own-initiative report, an optimistic and well supported position on the future of inland navigation, and we also have the results of an extremely valuable research that was recently published by the CCNR. What we need now is action! Luckily, the Naiades III Strategy mentions the option of a ‘complementary fund’, but needs some further detailing and clarification. And that is exactly what I am going to be doing the upcoming time – together with the sector. Eventually, the sector knows best as they are the ones on the ground, with the experience in practice. And I am more than happy to continue to listen to the sector and to give them a voice in Brussels!’

 

Source: Port of Rotterdam
Photo credit: Zero Emission Services
Published: 7 February, 2022

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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July 21, 2026

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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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