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Ulstein unveils roadmap to scale adoption and use of hydrogen as bunker fuel

‘A vision like this can be turned into reality […] but we will need a partnership between research institutions, governments, regulators and businesses,’ said deputy CEO.
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Norway-based shipbuilder Ulstein Verft on Wednesday (3 June) revealed it plans to scale the use of hydrogen as a marine fuel beginning with its hydrogen-powered ship, the Ulstein SX190.

The design of Ulstein SX190 uses proven and readily available hydrogen technology, enabling clean shipping operations to reduce the environmental footprint of offshore (renewables) projects, it said.

CO2, NOX and particle emissions are completely eliminated when using hydrogen fuel cells for on board power generation. 

However, today’s technology and hydrogen infrastructure only allows operations of up to approximately five days in zero-emission mode. 

“A vision like this can be turned into reality through innovation and industrialisation, but here we will need a partnership between research institutions, governments, regulators and businesses,” said Tore Ulstein, deputy CEO, Ulstein Group

Ulstein noted, as ship designers, it can contribute in providing solutions for the onboard hydrogen lay-out to match the developments in regulations, shoreside infrastructure and green hydrogen. 

Early adopters are often ‘punished’ by higher costs, but choosing an adaptable zero emission solution, allows those companies to fulfil their environmental ambitions, be ahead of the game and will provide them value throughout the energy transition.

Hydrogen bunker facilities are currently not yet widely available, so for the Ulstein SX190 the designers chose a flexible containerized gas storage system on the aft deck that can be refilled by trucks at the quayside, or the storage containers can be lifted off the vessel and transported to a hydrogen plant, if refilling in port is not allowed by port authorities.

Meanwhile, to extend the endurance of the vessel to a usable range, Ulstein said it has adopted a dual fuel solution. 

This enables the vessel to fall back on its diesel-electric system using low sulphur marine diesel oil for extended missions and capabilities.

Of course, the vessel can switch to hydrogen only mode when entering or being in port, reducing local emissions in congested areas.

Ulstein is also planning to develop a liquid hydrogen storage container to improve the range of the Ulstein SX190, as liquid hydrogen would triple the amount of fuel available. 

Though the technology already exists, it is not applied for maritime purposes as liquid hydrogen bunkering services are not yet available in port. 

Of late, various ports have revealed their plans to invest in hydrogen as a bunker fuel, including the port of Zeebrugge and the Port of Rotterdam.

When liquid hydrogen bunker facilities become readily available on a worldwide scale, a vessel solely powered by hydrogen can be realised, said Ulstein. 


Photo credit: Ulstein Verft
Published: 11 June, 2020

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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.

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July 21, 2026

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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

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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.
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July 21, 2026

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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

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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.
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July 21, 2026

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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

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