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DNV Decarbonization Insight Series August 2026 - What maritime professionals should know about AI Training

Alternative Fuels

Raízen and Wärtsilä ink agreement to explore use of ethanol as bunker fuel 

Replacing fossil fuels with sustainably produced ethanol in marine transportation can reduce CO2 emissions by 80% in a standard route from Brazil to Europe, according to Raizen’s initial studies review.

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RESIZED Chris Pagan

Integrated energy firm Raízen on Friday (20 October) said it signed a Decarbonisation Agreement with technology group Wärtsilä aiming to explore use of ethanol as marine fuel to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advance development of the first ethanol-fuelled maritime vessel.

By studying the effects of ethanol application as a marine fuel, the new initiative aims to reduce GHG, provide novel options to customers seeking sustainable fuel alternatives and substantively contribute to the discussion of the energy transition in the global marine sector.

“Ethanol is a promising marine fuel that is readily available now,” said Paulo Neves, vice president of Trading at Raízen. 

“By working with Wärtsilä, we hope to support the marine sector’s global decarbonisation efforts, with ethanol being a viable contributor towards a portfolio of low-carbon solutions for this sector.”

Wärtsilä, under its fleet decarbonisation program, has achieved a series of significant milestones to bring new sustainable solutions to the market, to increase engine efficiency and to support the decarbonization of maritime operations. 

By conducting technology tests with ethanol as a primary fuel in Wärtsilä Sustainable Fuels engine laboratories, supporting Raízen in discussions with ship designers and shipowners, and also on regulations and compliance requirements for the use of cellulosic ethanol as fuel, the agreement will help to drive the integration of clean energy solutions within the maritime sector.

“At Wärtsilä, we are investing heavily in the development of technologies, engines and solutions aimed for low and zero carbon marine fuels. This agreement with Raízen, a company committed to supporting the sector’s decarbonisation, is yet another example of how we seek ways to enable the journey towards a decarbonised future,” commented Stefan Nysjö, Vice President, Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

Replacing fossil fuels with sustainably produced ethanol in marine transportation can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% in a standard route from Brazil to Europe, according to Raizen’s initial studies review. Ethanol has the potential of  being a viable solution to help decarbonize the sector since it provides greater flexibility and optionality as the industry moves toward a combination of lower-emission fuel options. With the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Greenhouse Gas Strategy aiming to reduce carbon emissions from international shipping by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050 versus 2008 levels, ethanol can provide one more avenue to help achieve this target.

The program signifies an important step in Raizen’s commitment to offer end-to-end low-carbon solutions to its worldwide customers. In addition to effectively diminishing the carbon footprint associated with product logistics, the companies are proactively seeking strategic alliances with shipping partners who share the vision of vessel decarbonization.

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 23 October, 2023

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LNG Bunkering

Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, the company said Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes.

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Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

British oil giant Shell on Thursday (13 August) said Valencia has joined its growing network of bunkering locations, making LNG available as a marine fuel.

The successful completion of the first LNG bunkering operation in Valencia marked an important milestone for Spain and further strengthened Shell’s LNG supply capabilities across the Mediterranean. 

In a video shared by the company, bunkering vessel Alice Consulich was shown supplying an undisclosed volume of LNG to the container ship MSC Sabrina.

“As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes,” Shell said in a social media post. 

Shell said the achievement reflected the strong collaboration across the maritime value chain, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Port of Valencia and Fratelli Cosulich Group.

“We look forward to making more LNG bunker deliveries in Valencia and across the Mediterranean as LNG infrastructure and capabilities continue to expand,” the company said. 

 

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 14 August, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Énestas and Power LNG join forces on Galveston bunkering

Énestas will provide capital, LNG transport and storage equipment, and downstream expertise to support Power LNG’s planned liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

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Stabilis Solutions enter 10-year LNG bunkering supply deal for Port of Galveston

Power LNG (Power LNG) and Mexico’s LNG infrastructure and downstream natural gas company Énestas on Wednesday (12 August) announced the execution of definitive agreements establishing a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of LNG infrastructure at the Port of Galveston.

Under the agreement, Énestas will provide capital, LNG transportation and storage equipment, and downstream operating expertise to support the development of the Harborside Terminal and Project Seawolf, Power LNG’s planned LNG liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

The partnership creates an immediate pathway to begin LNG distribution by truck while Project Seawolf is under development, supporting marine fueling, virtual pipeline customers, industrial users, and LNG exports throughout the Gulf Coast, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“Our vision has always been to establish Galveston as the premier LNG hub for the Gulf Coast,” said Austin Terry, Founder and CEO of Power LNG. 

“Énestas brings years of operational experience, proven LNG infrastructure, and a talented team that understands how to deliver LNG safely and efficiently. Together, we can immediately begin serving customers while laying the foundation for one of the most strategic LNG bunkering facilities in North America.”

Project Seawolf will provide LNG for marine bunkering, truck loading, virtual pipeline distribution, and international exports. The facility is strategically located at the Port of Galveston, serving one of the fastest-growing cruise, cargo, and energy corridors in the United States.

For Énestas, the transaction represented an important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

“This partnership represents a natural evolution for Énestas as we expand our downstream LNG business into the United States,” said Caio Zapata, Chief Executive Officer of Énestas. 

“For more than a decade, Énestas has developed and operated LNG infrastructure throughout Mexico, helping customers transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. Partnering with Power LNG allows us to leverage that experience in one of the most attractive LNG markets in North America. We see tremendous opportunities in marine bunkering, virtual pipeline logistics, industrial LNG supply, and exports to Latin America and the Caribbean, and we are excited to build that future together.”

The companies expect the partnership to support near-term LNG truck loading operations while advancing the long-term development of Project Seawolf, which is designed to become a regional hub for LNG production, marine fueling, and distribution.

The collaboration also establishes a platform to pursue additional downstream LNG opportunities throughout the Gulf Coast, utilising Énestas’ operational expertise together with Power LNG’s project development capabilities.

 

Photo credit: Port of Galveston
Published: 14 August, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Company says the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston.

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Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Clean energy production solutions provider Stabilis Solutions (Stabilis) on Thursday (13 August) said it has completed 97 LNG bunkering operations and delivered more than 150,000 m³ of LNG to customers in the Port of Galveston.

“As the only physical supplier of LNG on the Gulf Coast to reach this milestone, we’ve earned a reputation as a trusted, proven operator — both with local Galveston stakeholders and with the world’s largest cruise operator,” the company said in a social media post.

“That trust is reflected in the 10-year LNG offtake agreement we executed in December 2025.”

The company said the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston. 

“As a Houston-based company, we believe in the Texas economy and the future growth of the Port of Galveston,” it added.

“That belief is why we’ve invested heavily over the past four years in the planning, permitting, and engineering design work to develop the most advanced, derisked, shovel-ready small-scale LNG liquefaction project on the Gulf Coast.”

Manifold Times previously reported Stabilis stating that the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is anticipated to be in production by the third quarter of 2028.

It will come complete with the delivery of the first new-build, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge in the Galveston/Houston area.

This comes following Stabilis receiving a Letter of Recommendation from the US Coast Guard following their formal review of the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

Related: Stabilis Solutions targets Q3 2028 launch for Galveston LNG bunkering facility
Related: Stabilis Solutions terminates 10-year LNG supply deal, expects delay in Galveston project

 

Photo credit: Stabilis Solutions
Published: 14 August, 2026

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