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Decarbonisation

US Congress members urge Biden to issue EO on maritime decarbonisation

In a letter, members urge the US President to issue Executive Order to include ban the use of sulphur scrubbers and establish a goal-based fuel standard for ships calling on U.S. ports, amongst others.
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US Congresswoman Nanette Barragán recently led 15 Members of Congress in a letter to US President Joe Biden, urging his administration to issue an Executive Order to support the decarbonisation of the maritime industry. 

Greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping are projected to increase, and it’s critical that the federal government take action to reduce emissions and address the pollution impacts that shipping has on environmental justice communities. 

The Members wrote: “We want to thank you for leadership in addressing the global climate crisis and for the actions you have already taken to make sure that the United States cuts all greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector by 2050.”

“We now ask that you build on these commitments by issuing an Executive Order to spark innovation and open opportunities for decarbonising the maritime sector and future-proof this critical component of our supply chains.”

“We strongly urge your Administration to make this Executive Order effective, actionable, and equitable by including specific, time-bound actions and creating and maintaining high-quality jobs and advancing environmental justice.”

The letter includes several recommendations that the President should include in an Executive Order to help decarbonise the maritime industry:

  • Use existing Clean Air Act authority to establish a goal-based fuel standard for ships calling on US ports.
  • Use existing authorities to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2030.
  • Immediately establish a monitoring, reporting, and verification mechanism to collect fuel consumption and emissions data from all ships that traverse US waters and use US ports, building a baseline for emissions management.
  • Direct resources toward the electrification and quieting of the US federal ferry and harbour craft fleet.
  • Support US shipbuilders and maritime stakeholders to build low- and zero-emission and quiet marine vessels.
  • Support the development, demonstration, and value chains of zero-emission alternative fuels and technologies for the maritime sector.
  • Phase out and ban the use of sulphur scrubbers on ships in US waters.

“The Biden administration has already made significant commitments to eliminate emissions from the shipping industry, but there is more that can be done immediately through executive action,” said Carrie Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s U.S. Policy Manager, Shipping Emissions. 

“With the support of 60 organisations, eight industry organisations, over 24,000 members of the public and now members of Congress, we urge the Biden administration to issue an executive order with these seven recommendations immediately.”

“There is no time to waste: we must get to work eliminating emissions from the maritime sector if we are to meet our climate goals and protect the public from these harmful pollutants.”

“We thank Representative Barragan and all the Congressional leaders who joined on this letter calling for President Biden to issue an executive order on shipping decarbonisation.” 

Representative Barragán was joined on the letter by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Adriano Espaillat, Robert Garcia, Jimmy Gomez, Jared Huffman, Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, Doris Matsui, Kevin Mullin, Chellie Pingree, Katie Porter, Delia Ramirez, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, and Rashida Tlaib.

 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 30 July 2024

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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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