Alternative Fuels

DNV selected to lead ‘pioneering’ ammonia bunkering safety study in Singapore

DNV will team up with Singapore’s leading infrastructure developer Surbana Jurong and the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) for the study.

Published

5 years ago

January 26, 2022

Admin

Classification society DNV has been selected to lead an ammonia bunkering safety study by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) in Singapore, it said on Wednesday (26 January).

The pioneering study aims to define a robust set of safety guidelines and operational envelopes that will establish the basis of a regulatory sandbox for ammonia bunkering trials at two local sites.

To that end, DNV will team up with Singapore’s leading infrastructure developer Surbana Jurong and the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA).

DNV’s work scope will comprise ammonia demand forecasting, bunkering site recommendations, the development of conceptual designs of bunkering modes like truck to ship or ship to ship, HAZID/HAZOP/QRA studies, as well as drafting of technical and operational guidelines.

While ammonia is one the most promising fuels to decarbonize shipping, DNV research shows that a number of safety gaps hold the potential to disrupt the speed and success of the transition.

“The safe handling of ammonia is one such gap which urgently needs to be closed, given the threat it poses to seafarers and ships unless properly managed. We are therefore thrilled to partner with Surbana Jurong and the Singapore Maritime Academy on this pioneering initiative, which we hope will lay the foundations for robust ammonia bunkering safety guidelines with industry wide applicability”, said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime.

In response to the growing industry interest for ammonia fuelled and ammonia ready ship designs, DNV has undertaken many trailblazing projects in the development of ammonia as a viable future marine fuel.

DNV’s “Fuel ready” notation was launched as an industry first in April 2021 by Höegh Autoliners in their new series of car carriers. The notation verifies that a vessel complies with the safety and operational requirements for future ammonia fuelled operations, and that the main engine can be converted or operate on the fuel.

For shipowners looking to move towards a full zero-carbon fuel option with their next newbuilding, DNV’s new “Gas fuelled ammonia” rules provide a practical path. Further adding to this work, DNV has awarded several Approvals in Principle for ammonia fuelled ship designs, while also cooperating with engine maker MAN Energy Solutions on the safe development of a 2-stroke ammonia engine intended to be market-ready in 2024.

“Next to our broad practical experience, our research detailed in the ‘Ammonia as a marine fuel’ white paper shows that we are well equipped to undertake this groundbreaking ammonia bunkering study”, comments Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, DNV Maritime’s Regional Manager South East Asia, Pacific and India.

“We highly welcome that Singapore as the world’s leading bunkering port is exploring ammonia as a viable ship fuel and are very happy to be selected to contribute to the pilot. Safety is the prerequisite for the successful and timely introduction of new fuels such as ammonia, hence joint research and development, testing and setting standards is crucial at this point”, she adds.

According to its recent Maritime Forecast to 2050, DNV expects there will be demonstration projects for onboard use of ammonia by 2025, paving the way for zero-carbon ships ready for commercial use by 2030. While the future fuel mix will be broad, DNV predicts that both ammonia and bio-based methanol are the most promising carbon-neutral fuels in the long run.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 26 January, 2022

Methanol

China: Xiamen issues safety guidelines for methanol bunkering operations

New guidelines establish safety requirements across the full methanol bunkering process, supporting the expansion of green marine fuel supplies at Xiamen Port.

Published

17 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Xiamen Free Trade Zone on Monday (10 August) said its Administrative Committee recently jointly issued the Safety Guidelines for Marine Methanol Fuel Bunkering in Xiamen Waters with Xiamen Port Authority and Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, establishing a framework for methanol bunkering operations in the port.

The guidelines are the first safety operating standard in Fujian province specifically covering marine methanol fuel bunkering. They apply to methanol bunkering operations conducted by bunker vessels in Xiamen waters and set out safety requirements covering the entire operation, from preparation through completion.

The guidelines specify requirements for bunkering companies, equipment and materials used on bunker vessels, hose inspection intervals, personnel certification and personal protective equipment.

They also require operators to conduct dedicated risk assessments and prepare emergency response plans before operations begin. During bunkering, operators must maintain continuous monitoring and comply with specified weather restrictions. After completion, pipelines must undergo procedures including purging and inerting.

Xiamen Port has previously carried out ship-to-ship bunkering of biofuels and LNG. The new guidelines provide a regulatory framework and operational basis for methanol bunkering and are intended to support the safe and orderly conduct of such operations.

The move is also expected to help Xiamen Port expand its market and bunkering capacity for green marine fuels.

Photo credit: Woo Winter on Unsplash
Published: 13 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

Bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

Published

17 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

South Korean shipowner Polaris Shipping recently said it has signed a newbuilding contract for four tri-fuel vessels with Chinese shipbuilder Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry on 4 August.

The 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

The vessels are also designed as LNG- and ammonia-ready ships, allowing them to be converted to LNG or ammonia propulsion in the future.

Polaris Shipping also plans to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by applying various energy-saving technologies, including wind-assist propulsion systems, rotor sails, departure optimisation and land-based systems, to the vessels.

Polaris Shipping has completed a 25-year long-term charter contract for the bulk carriers with Brazilian iron ore producer Vale.

Polaris Shipping plans to sign construction contracts for up to four additional 210,000-dwt eco-friendly Newcastlemax bulk carriers with Chinese shipbuilder Hengli Heavy Industries in the near future. The Newcastlemax bulk carriers ordered from Hengli will be built as high-efficiency, environmentally friendly vessels to replace the company’s existing older bulk carriers.

Photo credit: Polaris Shipping
Published: 13 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Axpo and Vitol debut LNG bunkering operation at Italy’s largest cruise port

“Green Pearl”, a 7,500 m³ Italian bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, safely conducted the ship-to-ship refuelling operation on Sunday morning at Civitavecchia’s berth 18.

Published

17 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Axpo and Vitol debut LNG bunkering operation at Italy’s largest cruise port

Switzerland’s energy producer Axpo on Wednesday (12 August) said it has completed the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation with Vitol at the Port of Civitavecchia in Italy, refuelling a flagship vessel of a leading international cruise line.

The company said Italy’s premier cruise port and Europe’s second largest now joins Genoa and Naples in offering LNG bunkering services.

“This represents an important milestone in the development of infrastructure and services for alternative maritime fuels in Italian ports,” Axpo said.

Green Pearl, a 7,500 m³ Italian bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, safely conducted the ship-to-ship refuelling operation on Sunday morning at Civitavecchia’s berth 18. Operated by Axpo, Green Pearl was brought into service in 2026 and is dedicated to ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck bunkering operations in Italian ports.

Axpo Italia CEO Simone Demarchi, said: “This latest operation shows the ability of our supply chain to grow rapidly and meet the needs of leading international cruise lines. Over the coming years, the shipping and cruise sectors will be called upon to accelerate their decarbonisation journey. Today, LNG is one of the most substantial and readily available solutions to help support this transition.”

Vitol Head of Small Scale LNG & LNG Bunkering Stefan Dubbeldam, added: “LNG and bio-LNG have a key role to play in reducing emissions from bunkering. Vitol is globally invested throughout the value chain, from upstream bio-LNG and LNG production and offtake, through to solutions for customers through our LNG Bunker Vessel fleet.”

The extension of Axpo’s coverage to Civitavecchia, the primary seaport for Rome, follows the launch of LNG ship-to-ship bunkering at Genoa in late 2025 and Naples in May this year.

In addition to Green Pearl, the company has also chartered Alisios LNG, a new 12,500 m³ capacity bunkering vessel for low-emission fuels, which became operational in Spain last March.

Photo credit: Axpo
Published: 13 August, 2026