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UCL on MEPC 82: Negotiations still on track for new text to MARPOL Annex VI

UCL Energy Institute says negotiations are still on track for an agreement on a new text to Chapter 5 of MARPOL Annex VI that enshrines new mid-term policy measures.

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IMO MPEC 82

The UCL Energy Institute on Friday (4 October) said the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee 82nd meeting has concluded with a large amount of work remaining.

However, negotiations are still on track for an agreement on a new text to Chapter 5 of International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI that would enshrine new mid-term policy measures capable of driving an energy transition in international shipping. 

As the pre-cursor meeting to the expected approval meeting in April 2025, this was not expected to be a meeting that concluded the key policy design elements. But the meeting did produce a full draft text for the MARPOL amendment, within which the details still to be finalised can be clearly identified for further work before April.

According to UCL, three main options remain on the table:

  • a flexibility mechanism on its own and no levy/universal price on GHG, 
  • a feebate mechanism (associated with a levy/universal price on GHG), and 
  • a feebate mechanism combined with a flexibility mechanism. 

Whilst it was not signalled in any way during the meeting as an intent of any member state, it is possible to gain insight into what would happen if a member state called a vote to decide on the outcome. An amendment to MARPOL Annex VI would require a two third majority from member states that had ratified MARPOL. 

If member states voted as per the positions expressed at ISWG-GHG 17, there would be a 76% majority in favour of a levy (35 member states vs. 11 member states who have ratified MARPOL Annex VI). However, this is only indicative and not conclusive, because member states could yet change position (either way), and because there are still a large number of member states silent on the matter, or ambiguous in their position, so far.

Dr Tristan Smith, Professor of Energy and Transport at the UCL Energy Institute, said: “Investors looking to the levy to support business case for early adoption of new technologies and particularly e-fuels, and member states looking to the levy for support for a just and equitable transition, should be optimistic based on this meeting. They will also have to be patient – there is still a lot of work to be done before approval at MEPC 83 in April 2025”.

The topic of impact on states arising from the measures (e.g. transport cost increases that result from the policy measures creating negative economic impacts, particularly on low-income countries) remains a key subject in the discussions and is therefore likely to be important to the way the discussions resolve at MEPC 83. The issue of food security became particularly elevated at this meeting, as many countries raised the issue that increased import prices of critical food commodities due to mid-term measures could increase the existing levels of food insecurity. There will be further work done on this issue with a report to MEPC 83.

Dr Annika Frosch, Research Fellow at the UCL Energy Institute, said: “Discussions at MEPC 82 show a growing majority of countries backing the levy as a stable source of revenue and crucial for a just and equitable transition. While some member states remain opposed due to cost concerns, the levy remains a strong contender among policy designs. If it were to come to a vote, the current positions suggested enough support to pass the measure with a clear majority, though positions may still evolve as negotiations continue.”

Note: UCL Energy Institute’s overview of discussions from IMO MPEC 82 can be downloaded here

 

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 7 October, 2024

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Methanol

CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering

Companies signed a long term supply cooperation deal to develop a fully integrated green methanol value chain, which is expected to propel Shanghai into a regional green methanol bunkering hub.

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CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Friday (21 March) said it has signed a green methanol long term supply cooperation agreement with SIPG Energy and Shanghai Electric Group on 20 March to develop a fully integrated green methanol value chain. 

The agreement is expected to accelerate Shanghai Port's development into a regional green methanol bunkering hub, securing its first-mover advantage in the low-carbon transformation of shipping and further consolidating Shanghai's leadership in global maritime trade.

“This collaboration underscores CMA CGM's leadership in maritime decarbonisation and strengthens our partnership with major Chinese partners,” the company said. 

Under the agreement, Shanghai Electric Group will provide mid-to-long-term green methanol fuel supply for CMA CGM. In partnership with SIPG, green methanol will be transported via land-sea combined logistics from Shanghai Electric’s production base in Taonan to Shanghai Port, the world's largest container port. 

Shanghai Electric said the agreement will form a complete “production-transportation-bunkering” chain. The company further elaborated that its Taonan project is an important foundation for it in the field of hydrogen-based green fuels. 

CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering

Firmly committed to the energy transition in shipping and  its use of alternative marine fuels, CMA CGM said it has set a Net Zero-Carbon target for 2050.

Last month, CMA CGM IRON, the group's first dual-fuel methanol made its maiden call in Singapore. With a container capacity of 13,000 TEUs, it is the first in a series of 12 new dual-fuel methanol vessels for CMA CGM.

“At CMA CGM, we address the challenges related to the availability of clean fuels. Our partnership strategy drives us to implement innovative and sustainable solutions to achieve our energy transition objectives,” said Farid Trad, Vice President of Bunkering & Energy Transition of CMA CGM Group. 

“Our landmark collaboration with SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group marks a new milestone and shows our commitment to Net Zero-Carbon by 2050.”

 

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 21 March, 2025

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Events

China: Speaker lineup revealed for Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025

Key issues that will be discussed at event include low-carbon ship construction and transformation, latest green technology equipment, alternative marine fuel selections and supply status.

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Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025 to be held in Shanghai on 16 May

Shine Consultant, the organiser of Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025, on Thursday (20 March) announced the line-up of speakers for the event to explore the new trends in the shipping industry. 

With over 300 attendees expected to attend, the Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025 will be held in Shanghai, China, on 16 May. 

Themed Diversified Innovation for Sustainable Green Transformation, the summit will host a main forum called Green Development Strategies and Pioneer Practices Towards Zero Carbon Goals and two sub-forums, Green Shipbuilding and Retrofitting Forum and Green Shipping Ecosystem Cooperation Forum. 

It will focus on key issues such as low-carbon ship construction and transformation, the latest green technology equipment, alternative marine fuel selections and supply status and digital ship management technology. 

Speakers for the summit include:

  • Li Zhengjian, Chief Expert/Senior Engineer, the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
  • Karim Fahssis, Decarbonization China Head, Maersk
  • Lu Yanhui, Vice President, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd
  • Liu Jianfeng, Chief Technologist, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., LTD.
  • Li Zhonggang, Vice President, China Ship Design & Research Center Com.,Ltd.(CSDC)
  • Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
  • Keiichiro Nakanishi, Managing Executive Officer, MOL(Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.)
  • Sun Haihua, Deputy Director of Shanghai Arbitration Commission, Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General of Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization
  • Yan Wei, Vice President, Shanghai Maritime University
  • Ye Mao, Deputy President of the Design Research Institute, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., LTD.
  • Wee Meng Tan, Chief Projects Officer, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
  • Yuan Chao, General Manager of Equipment, CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Company Limited
  • Zhang Yunxing, Head of the Ballast Water Convention Research Office, Hebei Maritime Safety Administration
  • Zhang Yong, Vice President, Shanghai Academy of Development & Reform
  • Gou Yingdi, Director of Sustainable Development and General Manager of the Technology and Development (Innovation) Center, Seacon Shipping Group
  • Zhao Cuiyun, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Construction of the Shipping Center and Director of the Green Shipping Research Office, Shanghai International Shipping Institute
  • Cao Xianfeng, Deputy Chief Digital Planner, COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore Co., Ltd

Conference Framework

May 16 (am) 

Plenary Session: Green Development Strategies and Pioneer Practices Towards Zero Carbon Goals

May 16 (pm)

Sub-Forum I: Green Shipbuilding and Retrofitting Forum
Sub-Forum II: Green Shipping Ecosystem Cooperation Forum

Key Topics

  • Maritime regulatory focus under policy guidance towards zero-carbon goals
  • Global green ship type product key technologies and applications
  • Analysis of paths to improve the efficiency of existing ships
  • How shipping companies can achieve sustainable green transformation
  • Innovative design methods for green ship types
  • Development and design of methanol dual-fuel ship types
  • Innovation and application of ship engines and propulsion systems
  • Technological application and outlook of wind energy as auxiliary power for ships
  • Prospects and challenges of ammonia fuel application
  • Innovation in new marine fuels and supply systems
  • Upgrading of ship battery systems to meet shipping emission reduction
  • Fluid power energy-saving technology and practice to promote the green and low-carbon development of the shipping industry
  • Green ship repair, intelligent painting and VOCs management in ship and marine engineering
  • Exploration and practice in digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of the ship repair and modification industry
  • Practice of ship energy consumption data analysis and carbon intensity management
  • SCR technology innovation for NOx reduction in ship diesel engines
  • The latest technological applications of "carbon capture" in the shipping industry
  • Ballast water management systems in line with international standards
  • Shore power systems combined with green electricity to assist shipping decarbonization
  • Supply status and choice analysis of the marine green fuel market

Host:

  • Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization

Co-organisers:

  • Shanghai Maritime University 
  • Shanghai Institute of Navigation
  • Jiangsu Association of Shipbuilding Industry
  • Jiangsu Society of Naval Architects And Marine Engineers

Supporting Organisations:

  • Shanghai Port Association
  • Hubei Association of Shipbuilding Industry
  • Shanghai International Shipping institute

Interested parties may contact:

Yulia Zhang
T: (+8621) 6095 7179
M:(+86) 158 3615 6079 (Also on WeChat)
E-mail: [email protected] 

Note: More information on the summit, including registration, can be found here

 

Photo credit: Shine Consultant
Published: 21 March, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Molgas commences bio-LNG bunkering operations in Port of Zeebrugge

First deliveries of bio-LNG started in January, with multiple operations running smoothly through its logistics network and more deliveries are expected in the coming weeks, says Molgas.

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Molgas commences bio-LNG bunkering operations in Port of Zeebrugge

Madrid-headquartered Molgas Energy Group on Thursday (20 March) said it has started the supply of bio-LNG at the Port of Zeebrugge. 

The first deliveries of bio-LNG started in January, with multiple operations running smoothly through its logistics network. 

“More deliveries are already scheduled in the coming weeks,” it said in a social media post. 

The company said the expansion marked a significant step forward in its commitment to delivering sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions across Europe. 

“The Port of Zeebrugge as a key hub for bio-LNG fuelled vessels dealing with FuelEU Maritime, enabling us to serve the marine customers efficiently,” it said. 

“Through our Multi Truck to Ship (MTTS) process, we successfully manage deliveries of 200-300 tonnes simultaneous to the vessels operation (SIMOPS), demonstrating our operational excellence and flexibility.”

 

Photo credit: Molgas Energy
Published: 21 March, 2025

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