The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) on Wednesday (7 May) said it held a table-top workshop with Britannia P&I Club in Singapore where attendees planned a response to a spill scenario of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as part of a new training exercise called HYDRO NEXUS. 

The half-day event saw team members from Britannia successfully responding to a spill of LNG bunkers from an alternatively fuelled vessel, who were assisted by the ITOPF team on how best to approach the response, taking into account the risks and hazards presented by this substance.

“The Britannia team were guided by ITOPF’s experts on the steps of an alternative fuel and HNS (Hazardous and Noxious Substances) response, including information gathering, risk assessment, appropriate PPE selection, and use of different techniques and equipment used in these spill scenarios,” it said on its website. 

“One key component of the exercise was to demonstrate the potential impacts and claims that the P&I insurers may face during an alternative fuel/HNS incident. Teams collated costs for loss of life and personal injury, clean-up and preventive measures, property damage, economic loss and environmental damage claims.”

Photo credit: International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
Published: 9 May, 2025

European shipping company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), part of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, on Thursday (1 May) signed an order for four new LNG -powered RoPax vessels from a Chinese shipyard.

The vessels will be built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China.

This new order, combined with a previous order, will allow GNV to expand its fleet with eight new units between 2025 and 2030.

“Work will begin in 2026, with the first ship delivered within the first months of 2028 and the following ones every six months,” it said in a social media post. 

“The new units, with a capacity of 2,500 people, over 500 cabins, and 3,500 linear metres of garage space, will be the largest and most spacious in the Mediterranean by tonnage (71,300 tonnes).”

The new vessels will all be powered by LNG, ensuring a reduction in CO2 emissions of over 50% per unit compared to the previous generation. 

“This significant operation provides a strong push towards the transition to more sustainable and environmentally friendly models,” the company said.

GNV added the four newly ordered ships will represent an evolution compared to those from the previous order, which includes GNV Polaris and GNV Orion (shown in the image).

Photo credit: Grandi Navi Veloci
Published: 9 May, 2025

Hong Kong-based marine fuel oil supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Wednesday (7 May) completed the first B30 marine biofuel bunkering operation at its home base. 

CPN supplied ISCC-EU certified B30 marine biofuel to a containership operated by Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd (OOCL) in Hong Kong. 

Manifold Times previously reported CPN commencing B30 bunkering services across Hong Kong’s waters following recent approval by IMO MEPC 83 that now allows conventional Type I barges to carry biofuel blends of up to 30% (B30). 

The company said the B30 blend, comprising 30% biodiesel, further reduced carbon emissions compared to B24 biofuel.

“This operation marks OOCL’s first B30 biofuel bunkering operation in Hong Kong, advancing their decarbonisation strategy,” CPN said on its website. 

“Authorised by the IMO’s updated regulations, CPN’s B30 marine biofuel met stringent sulphur standards and supported global decarbonisation goals, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a hub for sustainable bunkering.”

Related: Chimbusco Pan Nation launches B30 bio bunker fuel supply in Hong Hong

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 8 May, 2025