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Decarbonisation

Trafigura highlights five ways to decarbonise shipping today

Firm recommends a number of immediate actions that can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of shipping including the use of bio bunker fuels and slow-steaming.

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As the world develops large-scale solutions to decarbonise this hard-to-abate sector, commodity trading firm Trafigura highlights a number of immediate actions that can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of shipping:

As one of the world’s largest charterers of tankers, we recognise the importance of supporting the decarbonisation of shipping.   

To that end, we recently ordered four gas carriers capable of running on low-carbon ammonia. We expect to take delivery of the first vessel in the second half of 2027. 

While we continue to advocate for the implementation of a carbon levy and a ‘feebate’ system to drive long-term decarbonisation in shipping, we also recognise the significance of reducing carbon emissions today given that the industry is responsible for around three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). 

It is all the more important because the current disruption to global trade from ships not being able to use the Red Sea is leading to much longer voyages and a dramatic increase in emissions.

2024 trafigura five things we can do today to decarbonise shipping keyfigures

We estimate an extra 200,000 barrels of fuel oil will be consumed by oil tankers alone this year as they are diverted around the Cape of Good Hope. This equates to a 4.5% increase in annual emissions from oil tankers alone.

When container ships and other vessels are considered we think an additional 500,000 barrels of fuel will be consumed by the shipping industry this year because of the disruptions.

Like the time value of money – one of the fundamental concepts of finance –it is also helpful to consider the time value of GHG emissions.

A tonne of CO₂ reduced today is worth more than a tonne of CO₂ reduced in the future.

That’s because it is the cumulative concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere that drives long-term climate change. So, the more we can do now, the better it is for the environment.

The good news is that there are numerous actions we can implement quickly to reduce emissions from shipping.

These include:

2024 trafigura decarbonising shipping infographic

Biofuels

biofuels

One option is the use of biofuels. There are several types of biofuels on the market including biodiesel, also known as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). This is produced from vegetable oil, animal fats or used cooking oils through a process known as transesterification. Although there are feedstock constraints, biofuels are attractive because they can be used with virtually no retrofitting to vessels and infrastructure.

They can also be blended with traditional marine fuels such as very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), to achieve emissions reduction. B30 – a blend of 30% FAME and 70% VLSFO – is expected to be a popular choice and is set to play a significant role in the near term, while the industry transitions to low or zero carbon fuel sources. Trafigura already supplies B30 through our bunkering joint-venture TFG Marine and we are set to become a major producer of biodiesel via our recent purchase of Greenergy, supplier and distributor of transportation fuels and biofuels.

Energy efficiency

energy efficiency

Technical measures such as silicone hull coatings, wake equalising ducts (WED), ultrasonic propeller antifouling technology, and continuous underwater hull cleaning and propeller polishing are another way to quickly reduce emissions.

Indeed, we have already retrofitted a number of our owned vessels with silicon hull coatings and WED.

Slow-steaming

slow steaming ed

One of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce CO₂ emission is slow-steaming – the practice of operating ships at lower speeds. By travelling more slowly, vessels consume less fuel, which not only reduces operational costs but also reduces GHG emissions.

To be sure, slow-steaming is not an option open to everyone – some vessels are not designed to move slowly while others may need to pick up speed to compensate for lost time if disruptions have forced them to take longer routes. Moreover, by significantly reducing the speed of the fleet, more ships are needed to cover demand. But even when the additional emissions from building and operating new ships are taken into consideration, slow-steaming still leads to CO₂ savings.

According to Transport & Environment, a non-government organisation focused on decarbonising transport in the EU, reducing fleet speeds by an average of 10% leads to overall CO₂ savings of 19%. 

Note: Trafigura’s full article on decarbonising shipping can be viewed here.

 

Photo credit: Trafigura
Published: 15 August, 2024

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.
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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

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