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Debut interview: Marine Fuels Alliance to create bunker-charter, KYC, T&C standards as part of ‘ultimate goal’

Newly appointed Anthony Mollet speaks to Manifold Times about his role, vision, value proposition and plans for the Marine Fuels Alliance to become a wide-reaching and engaging bunkering industry association.
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The establishment of bunker industry organisation Marine Fuels Alliance (MFA) reached a milestone in early October when it appointed its first Executive Officer, Anthony Mollet. Manifold Times took the opportunity to speak with Mollet, who shares the MFA’s raison d’etre and planned vision for the international marine fuels sector:

MT: What are your roles and the phases of development for MFA since its launch?

AM: Having been employed in October, my role is to construct the business and formulate the Management and Executive levels. An initial website (https://www.marinefuelsalliance.com) has been created and this will be developed into an online procurement portal.

Equally important is work in engaging with the myriad of stakeholders across the bunker industry. It is essential to gain maximum exposure and then endorsement of what we are aiming to do, in order to attract maximum supplier membership. The intention is to launch in Q1 2022. We are focussed on getting the infrastructure and foundations solid first.

We are targeting any organisation with any involvement in the bunker industry. We have several very productive ongoing dialogues with companies such as data providers, lawyers, insurers, manufacturers, fuel testing agencies and Port Authorities in some countries. They too are recognising the importance of raising standards and have suppliers operating to the highest levels of quality and risk control as possible in the ports.

The MFA will be as wide-reaching and engaging as possible. As an association, we are here to support the bunker industry and provide fresh ideas and approaches to help members compete.

MT: What is the MFA’s vision and how has it come into existence?

AM: The MFA’s vision statement is “To build a network of independent bunker suppliers powered by its members to enhance their capabilities and extend outreach to new markets and opportunities”.

The concept was born from conversations and analysis between a group of experienced bunker industry professionals over the last two years, all of whom recognise the perilous state many independent bunker suppliers find themselves in. Across every element of day-to-day business practice, it is essential to maintain the highest quality of operational performance and administrative management.

For small suppliers, the issues are their ability to promote themselves, raise their profile and gain new business and having access to the wide range of resources and products that are more readily available to their larger rivals.

MT: What is the value proposition for members and stakeholders?

AM: We recognise that access to areas such as legal advice, insurance policies, credit reports, financial risk management tools, I.T and new digital solutions, together with education and information about sustainable fuels, are often expensive and beyond the reach of a small supplier.

Equally, the services offered by these companies are not generally targeted to suppliers in remote locations or where there is little chance of gaining significant uptake and revenue. So, the intention is to create more resources through scale, to connect stakeholders in new ways to gain the much-needed access and support.

We have learned through dialogue that the need to standardise matters such as Terms & Conditions and the KYC process is vital. We are setting up protocols and processes to help this standardisation, with an ultimate goal to create an MFA bunker-charter or “kite-mark”.

A committee will be focussed on claims and claims management. There will be a credit and sanctions checking protocol. We are looking to create a set of Terms and Conditions that all members will uphold. The value therefore to the shipowner / bunker purchaser is a far greater level of assurance, reliability and repeatability of service provision by any MFA member they transact with.

We recognise the factors of fear and uncertainty for suppliers in countries where larger competitors are developing technology and adapting to new fuels more quickly. Volumes for supply will invariably reduce, yet for so many, their own investments in assets, cargoes and staffing have to be maintained.

MT: How will the MFA function and how is it funded?

AM: The initial Advisory Group of individuals and companies is being amalgamated into an Executive Management and then into sector-specific Executive Committees. The intention is to ensure bunker suppliers who become members have access to join and participate in these committees.

Paid Membership for online subscription will be from independent bunker suppliers. The MFA is a non-for-profit organisation and membership fees will be used not only to both maintain its own operation, but also to help fund attendance to networking events and customer visits. It is envisaged that MFA members will work together to promote the Alliance and use time on business travel to discuss its work and seek essential feedback from customers.

The fee structure is being finalised. We recognise we have to balance the cost versus value for members.

We are inviting other business to join as Partner Companies, those wishing to promote their company or specific products through the MFA online portal.

Shipowners, Operators and Charterers will be invited to join as Associate Members. We are already talking to a huge list of such companies, seeking endorsement and engagement with the MFA concept, to prove to suppliers the clear benefits of joining.

On each board will be at least:

  • 01 x Bunker Buyer (e.g., Ship owner / Operator / Charterer);
  • 02 x experts in the sector area;
  • 02 x bunker supplier members;
  • 01 x Management Executive and;
  • 01 x individual from a Partner Company.

Editor’s note: Readers interested in knowing more about the MFA and its future plans are welcomed to contact Anthony Mollet at: [email protected]

Related: Industry organisation Marine Fuel Alliance appoints new Executive Officer

 

Photo credit: Marine Fuels Alliance
Published: 23 November, 2021

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Methanol

China launches methanol shipping supply chain alliance to accelerate green transition

Marine fuel suppliers in the alliance include Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales, China Marine Bunker (PetroChina), SIPG Energy (Shanghai), and Shenzhen Port Energy Development.
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China Waterborne Transport Research Institute under the Ministry of Transport and China Transport News recently jointly launched a Methanol Fuel Shipping Supply Chain Innovation Alliance with 20 organisations spanning the shipping, port, energy, equipment, research and industry association sectors.

The alliance was officially announced during the main event of China Maritime Day 2026 on 11 July, where members also released a joint initiative to develop a collaborative methanol-fuelled shipping supply chain.

The alliance aims to implement China’s national strategy for green economic transformation and support the Ministry of Transport’s “One Network, Four Modernisations” initiative by building a safe, efficient, economical and reliable methanol marine fuel supply chain

Under the joint initiative, alliance members pledged to align with China’s national decarbonisation strategy by promoting methanol as a key pathway for the shipping sector’s green transition and optimising the industry’s energy mix.

The members also pledged to strengthen collaboration across the supply chain to improve coordination between bunker fuel production, transportation and end users while advancing technological innovation.

Lastly, the alliance will support the development of policies, planning and technical standards, promote resource sharing and joint research, and accelerate the large-scale adoption of methanol as a marine fuel.

The alliance brings together companies and organisations representing the entire methanol shipping supply chain.

Members include shipping and port members such as China Changjiang National Shipping (Group) Corporation, COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd., Shandong Port Group, and Wuhan Chuangxin Jianghai Shipping Co., Ltd.

Energy companies in the alliance include Sinopec Chemical Commercial Holding Company Limited and Methanex Corporation.

Marine fuel suppliers including Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales, China Marine Bunker (PetroChina), SIPG Energy (Shanghai) Co Ltd and Shenzhen Port Energy Development Co Ltd are also part of the alliance. 

Equipment manufacturers in the alliance are CSSC 711th Research Institute, CSSC Power (Group) Corporation Ltd and Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery Co Ltd.

Research, media and industry organisations participating in the alliance include the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, China Transport News, and the Methanol Institute.

The Methanol Institute said methanol is moving beyond individual projects towards coordinated action across the entire value chain. 

“And China continues to play a leading role in advancing methanol as a marine fuel,” it said in a social media post.  

“We’re proud to work alongside our fellow alliance members to help strengthen the methanol supply chain and support the continued growth of methanol as a marine fuel.”

 

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 17 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Trial generated data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships.

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KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Korean Register (KR) on Tuesday (14 July) said it is collaborating with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to establish a domestic operating environment for ammonia-fuelled vessels under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Green Shipping Corridor Construction Support Project. 

The initiative supports the development of ammonia as one of the most promising next-generation marine fuels.

HHI recently conducted a sea trial of Korea’s first ammonia dual-fuel propulsion vessel. The trial generated operational data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a valuable technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for environmentally friendly vessel operations and supporting wider maritime decarbonisation efforts.

A spokesperson for HD Hyundai, said: “Drawing on our group’s R&D capabilities and on-site technical expertise, we have made meaningful progress in advancing the application of ammonia as a marine fuel. We expect this to help enhance a sustainable maritime ecosystem while strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s shipbuilding industry.”

Kim Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR’s R&D Division, added: “The close collaboration between KR and HD Hyundai has enabled us to build the technical foundation for introducing ammonia-fueled vessels in Korea. We will continue to drive national projects forward together with HD Hyundai and establish technical standards befitting the era of Green Shipping Corridors.”

 

Photo credit: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
Published: 17 July, 2026

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Wind-assisted

DNV awards TADC to Econowind for VentoFoil 3-Series

System actively harnesses wind power to generate forward thrust, helping to reduce bunker fuel consumption and mitigate FuelEU penalties.
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DNV awards TADC to Econowind for VentoFoil 3-Series

Dutch wind-assisted propulsion technology firm Econowind on Wednesday (15 July) said it has received a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from classification society DNV for its VentoFoil 3-Series boundary layer suction wing. 

The company said the certification confirms compliance with DNV’s ST-0511 standard for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems and enables easier integration of VentoFoils on DNV-classed vessels worldwide. 

Econowind added that the approval accelerates the deployment of wind propulsion across the shipping industry.

“DNV is one of the world’s leading classification societies. This TADC gives DNV-classed shipowners confidence that VentoFoils meet the highest industry standards,” said Chiel de Leeuw, Chief Commercial Officer at Econowind. 

“It simplifies the approval process for both retrofits and newbuilds. VentoFoils are ideal for late-stage design integration and retrofit projects. This is an important milestone for Econowind and for the wider adoption of wind-assisted ship propulsion.”

The 3-Series VentoFoil is Econowind’s best-selling suction wing to date, with over 150 units sold. The system actively harnesses wind power to generate forward thrust, helping to reduce fuel consumption and mitigate FuelEU penalties. The system includes a tilting foundation, allowing the wings to be tilted down during port operations or in adverse weather conditions, making it a flexible solution.

The TADC applies to the 16-meter VentoFoil 3-Series product design and supports easy integration into DNV-classed vessels without repeating the full design assessment process. This enables shipowners, shipyards, and project teams to move more efficiently from concept to installation, reducing project complexity and accelerating deployment. 

Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV Maritime, said: “It is a great pleasure to award Econowind this new certificate. WAPS have been going from strength to strength over the past few years, from 2022 the number of vessels in operation has increased five times, and we’ve now topped the century mark. 

“And with the current advances in technology, materials, and production capacity in the segment, we expect this to accelerate. So, while the wind always changes, the shipping industry is likely to be sailing strong for years to come.”

Econowind expects the DNV Type Approval Design Certificate to accelerate adoption of the VentoFoil, particularly among shipowners seeking proven, independently certified technology that can support fuel savings, emissions reductions, and decarbonization goals.

MS Heinz of HS Schiffahrt is among the first vessels to sail under this TADC.The company said the approval builds on Econowind’s growing installed base and further strengthens confidence in wind-assisted ship propulsion as a practical solution to address energy scarcity and high fuel prices. 

In addition to the 3-Series, Econowind offers the 5-Series for the deep-sea market.

 

Photo credit: Econowind
Published: 17 July, 2026

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