Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

Study: Oldest ships should be allowed to continue unaltered, rather than retrofitted

Development would release funds to build new ships with very low or no CO2 emissions, finds analysis commissioned by Danish Shipping, prepared by CE Delft.
Admin

Published

5 years ago

on

Danish Shipping report MT

A study commissioned by Danish Shipping and prepared by consultants CE Delft have found total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to be lesser if efforts were focused on building new tonnage, rather than upgrade old vessels.

In summary, the analysis Fleet-level compliance with the CII Regulation shows that if the oldest ships are allowed to continue unaltered rather than be retrofitted, that would release funds to build completely new ships with very low or no CO2 emissions.

At the same time, the approach will ensure that total CO2 emissions would not be greater than if the older ships are also required to be retrofitted.

If new low- and zero-emission ships are to enter into operation and more expensive climate-neutral bunker fuels are to gain acceptance by the end of this decade, CO2 regulation should be possible on the basis of a shipping company’s fleet and not of an individual ship, it finds.

“We are clearly proponents of looking at a fleet in its totality when measuring the CO2 emissions of a shipping company. Instead of spreading efforts too thinly on all ships, you should instead focus on the newest and greenest ships, and this has been confirmed with the new study,” says Maria Skipper Schwenn, Executive Director for Security, Environment and Maritime Research at Danish Shipping.

Danish Shipping will use the analysis in the work of the UN’s maritime organisation, the IMO. Negotiations are currently underway into how ships should meet efficiency requirements.

“It is extremely important that the world fleet becomes more efficient, but if we are to achieve our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, the new fuels must also be part of the picture. The analysis states that green fuels will not be in use in this decade unless an incentive is created. That incentive can be created by the IMO adopting a fleet-wide approach – without compromising the level of ambition,” adds Maria Skipper Schwenn.

The Danish Maritime Authority has submitted the analysis to the IMO – not as an actual proposal but as a set of ideas that can be included in the discussions as background information.

“The analysis is part of influencing the IMO member states and making them see that a fleet-based approach is the most logical, sensible and ambitious way of pushing for the green transition for ships. The fleet-based approach can be organised in such a way that you are at least as likely to achieve the set reduction targets. We therefore believe that CO2 regulation should be possible at fleet level if the shipping company or ship operator so wishes,” she says.

Note: The Analysis: Fleet-level compliance with the CII Regulation study can be downloaded here.

 

Photo credit: Danish Shipping
Published: 11 May, 2021

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

Admin

Published

3 hours ago

on

July 20, 2026

By

Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

Admin

Published

3 hours ago

on

July 20, 2026

By

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.
Admin

Published

3 hours ago

on

July 20, 2026

By

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending