MITSUI E&S on Monday (3 August) announced that Mitsui E&S DU, a group company of MITSUI E&S, has successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the DU-WinGD 6X82DF-M-1.0 LP-SCR, the first methanol dual-fuel WinGD large marine engine built in Japan.

The engine is also the first WinGD large marine engine manufactured at MITSUI E&S Tamano Works.

“The engine is scheduled to be installed on the first vessel in a series of four vessels being built for a domestic shipowner,” the company said on its website. 

By utilising green methanol as fuel, it will contribute to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping operations.

“To meet the expected increase in marine engine demand under the Japanese government’s Shipbuilding Industry Revitalisation Roadmap, the MITSUI E&S Group is working to enhance production efficiency for large marine engines through integrated operation at MITSUI E&S Tamano and Mitsui E&S DU Aioi,” the company added.

Photo credit: MITSUI E&S
Published: 4 August, 2026

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Monday (3 August) said its new 15,000 TEU methanol-powered vessel, CMA CGM ROI ARTHUR, has officially been named and is ready to begin its journey at sea.

Joining the company’s REX2 service, the ship will strengthen its fleet of new-generation vessels designed to support the decarbonisation of shipping. 

“Powered by methanol, she contributes to reducing atmospheric emissions and advancing the energy transition of our industry,” the company said in a social media post. 

The vessel was welcomed by her Master, Captain Roman DIDENKO, and her godmother, Ms. Sun Lijun, Vice Chairman of Tianjin Bridge Welding Materials Group Co., Ltd. and Vice President of the Tianjin Women Entrepreneurs Association.

In January, the company announced the arrival in its fleet of its 400th owned vessel, the CMA CGM MONTE CRISTO, the first in a series of six methanol container ships.

The Group is preparing to operate, by 2031, around 200 dual-fuel LNG and methanol container ships that can be powered with low-carbon energy.

Related: CMA CGM marks 400-vessel milestone as methanol-powered boxship joins fleet

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 4 August, 2026

The UK Chamber of Shipping on Monday (3 August) published Alternative Fuels: Building the Safety Evidence Base, a report bringing together industry expertise to identify and assess the safety considerations associated with the fuels expected to power shipping’s transition to net zero.

Developed through the Chamber’s Safety of Alternative Fuels Working Group (SAFWG), the publication provides preliminary, high-level risk assessments covering five key fuel pathways: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), biofuels, methanol, hydrogen and ammonia. 

Francesco Sandrelli, Policy Director (Environment) at the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “Shipping is on a critical pathway to net zero. New fuels and energy sources are moving from pilot projects to commercial reality, but safety, standards and operational readiness must keep pace.

“There is no single fuel that will decarbonise shipping. Different vessel types, trades and operating environments will require different solutions. What is essential is that the transition takes place safely. This publication is an important step towards achieving that goal.”

Among the report’s key findings is the need for robust design and process safety frameworks to support the commercial deployment of alternative fuels. The research also highlights a number of cross-cutting themes, including material compatibility, emergency response preparedness, crew training and competence, and the need for clearer regulatory pathways. 

The report represents a major collaborative effort by industry to build a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with alternative marine fuels. It provides practical insights into the known risks, highlights where further work is needed, and creates a foundation for future research, regulation and operational learning. 

The SAFWG was established by the UK Chamber of Shipping to support industry understanding of the safety implications associated with emerging zero and near-zero emission fuels. 

The report is the culmination of the Working Group’s first year of activity, during which more than 200 participants from over 50 organisations collaborated through a series of technical workshops delivered by Policy Director Francesco Sandrelli, supported by Robert Merrylees and Paul Markides. 

The publication forms part of the UK Chamber’s wider work to support shipping’s transition to net zero while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence. 

Future work by the SAFWG will focus on identifying regulatory and knowledge gaps, developing project-specific case studies, expanding stakeholder engagement and establishing an incident and lessons-learned database. 

Note: The report, Alternative Fuels: Building the Safety Evidence Base, can be found here. 

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 4 August, 2026