Alternative Fuels

UECC slashes CO2 emissions in 2025 by accelerating shift to bio-LNG bunker fuel

BioLNG accounted for a much higher share of 71% of LNG consumption, versus 31% the previous year, according to UECC’s recently appointed Sustainability Manager Steinar Rinvik Spinnangr.

Published

4 months ago

March 31, 2026

Admin

UECC: Liquefied biomethane bunker fuel to enable compliance surplus under FuelEU

United European Car Carriers (UECC) recently reported that the company greatly reduced CO2 emissions in 2025 – mainly through switching out more LNG with liquefied biomethane, also known as bio-LNG, in its fuel mix.

The Norwegian shipping company recorded an emissions reduction of 154,468 tons of CO2 last year, an improvement of around 44% on 2024 (107,173 tons), as it accelerates progress towards a target of 186,263 tons in 2030 – a 45% reduction from a 2014 baseline.

Cutting 154,468 tons of CO2 is equivalent to removing around 38,000 cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) from the road, eliminating emissions of around 514 round-trip flights from London to New York or growing 2.5 million tree seedlings over a decade.

Although the share of alternative fuels in UECC’s fuel mix remained basically unchanged at around 42% last year, the company realised significant gains in emissions cuts through expanding the use of high-impact LBM (or bio-LNG) under its Sail for Change initiative as the low-carbon fuel was used more widely across its enabled tonnage.

“This programme has been a major factor behind UECC’s improved environmental performance in 2025 as bioLNG accounted for a much higher share of 71% of LNG consumption, versus 31% the previous year. This trend is set to continue as we further expand the volume of bioLNG used to fuel the fleet going forward,” said UECC’s recently appointed Sustainability Manager Steinar Rinvik Spinnangr.

UECC now has seven dual-fuel and multi-fuel LNG Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) in its 16-vessel fleet – of which the first dual-fuel vessels were delivered in 2016 – with an additional four newbuilds on order.

Three of these PCTCs are currently deployed on the leading European sustainable RoRo carrier’s main North-South trading network that are bunkering LBM as part of Sail for Change, which is supported by major vehicle manufacturers including Toyota, Ford and JLR.

UECC Chief Executive Glenn Edvardsen asserted that the latest emissions data demonstrate the company’s exponential progress in fleet decarbonization from its proactive adoption of alternative fuels after initially piloting biofuels in 2020.

“The strong statistics show that our investments in newbuilds designed to run on LNG and bioLNG, as well as biofuel implementation on other vessels, are paying off,” he said.

“These figures translate into significant cost savings for our customers through reduced exposure to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime, strengthening commercial advantage while underpinning our shared sustainability ambitions.

“At the same time, we are developing our bunkering network for available alternative fuels to expand their usage going forward, coinciding with a series of newbuild deliveries in the coming years towards UECC’s goal of achieving net zero by 2040.”

UECC now has four multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild PCTCs on order at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Nanjing, having recently contracted two additional units at the Chinese yard, with deliveries scheduled as early as 2028 for both vessels.

As well as alternative fuels, Spinnangr said he will continue to focus on other sustainability initiatives such as increased implementation of measures to enhance energy efficiency across UECC’s existing vessels – including digital tools for voyage planning and route optimisation, and hull cleaning systems to minimise drag.

Photo credit: United European Car Carriers
Published: 31 March, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Published

14 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.

Published

14 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

Published

14 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said.

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels.

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026