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Alternative Fuels

EMP’s EnergySail® test unit unveiled for demonstrations in Japan

Full scale version is an upgrade of the pre-production unit; solar panels can be installed to provide supplementary propulsive and electrical power.

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Japan based marine renewable energy technology company Eco Marine Power (EMP) on Wednesday (4 March) announced  a full scale EnergySail® demonstration and test unit has been unveiled at the Onomichi Marine Tech Test Centre (MTTC) in Japan. 

This full scale version of an EnergySail, manufactured by EMP’s strategic partner Teramoto Iron Works Co., is an upgrade of the pre-production unit and represents one of the smaller types of EnergySail® that will be put into commercial service. 

The patented EnergySail can be fitted with marine-grade solar panels and therefore it is capable of providing ships with a zero emissions source of supplementary propulsive power and electrical power. 

The flexible design of EnergySail enables for it to be upgraded during the life-cycle of the ship so that newer technologies can be incorporated if required, it will also require little maintenance and be robust enough to withstand the harsh conditions of an operational life at sea over many years. 

These features of the design will be evaluated during further shore-based testing. The demonstration and test unit has an overall height of approximately 6 metres when raised and can be lowered and stored when not in use.

Aquarius MRE combines wind, solar, energy storage and marine computer technologies into a scalable clean energy system for a wide range of ships including coastal cargo vessels, bulkers, tankers and cruise ships.

The solar power sub-system of Aquarius MRE has already been installed on ships and the next step will be to combine this with the EnergySail technology. 

A project to plan and install a complete Aquarius MRE solution is underway and it is anticipated that the installation of equipment will commence this year.

Representatives from Singapore based ZEABORN Ship Management Pte. Ltd. were recently welcomed to inspect the EnergySail, and also shown other equipment installed at the Onomichi MTTC including marine solar panels and the TM-600 jack-up rig system.

“We have spent some years now working towards the commercial deployment of our EnergySail rather than simply installing a prototype onto a ship,” said Greg Atkinson, Chief Technology Officer at Eco Marine Power. 

“This is because we have been focused on getting a class-approved and cost effective sail-assisted propulsion system ready that can also be integrated with other systems via our Aquarius MRE solution.”

“Installing an integrated class-approved renewable energy system with the EnergySail’s as a source of zero emissions power will be a major step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.”


Photo credit: Eco Marine Power

Published: 5 March, 2020

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 3.8% on year in July 2026

4.73 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in July, up from 4.92 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 3.8% on year in July 2026

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port fell by 3.8% on year in July 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.73 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,731,900 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in July, up from 4.92 million mt (4,918,000 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in July (against on year) recorded respectively 1.95 million mt (zero from 1.95 million mt), 2.33 million mt (-2.1% from 2.38 million mt), 1,600 mt (+100% from zero), 700 mt (-82% from 3,900 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 3.8% on year in July 2026

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in July, (against on year) recorded respectively 8,200 mt (-83.7% from 50,300 mt), 29,900 mt (-62.9% from 80,500 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 1,400 mt (-46.2% from 2,600 mt). 

LNG and methanol sales were 58,700 mt (+41.4% from 41,500 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 17 August, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Ammonia, methanol bunkering workshops to be held at 13th Singapore Safety@Sea Week

Three workshops on ammonia bunkering, methanol bunkering, and crew safety awareness are part of MPA’s Safety@Sea Week, which will be held from 17 to 21 August.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), together with industry partners, on Monday (17 August) launched several new initiatives to enhance maritime safety. 

Announced at the opening of the 13th Singapore Safety@Sea Week, these initiatives will support shared learning, strengthen operational capabilities, and prepare the industry for the safe adoption of new technologies.

Organised by MPA from 17 to 21 August, this year’s Safety@Sea Week is themed “All Hands on Deck – Safety First!”. About 1,500 participants from across the maritime community are expected to take part in 18 events organised by MPA and its partners. 

These include the Safety@Sea Symposium, featuring seven speakers across two panel sessions, and three workshops on ammonia bunkering, methanol bunkering, and crew safety awareness. 

Speaking at the opening, Mr Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport, highlighted three priorities for strengthening maritime safety: harnessing technology responsibly, preparing early for emerging risks, and keeping people at the centre of safety. He also underscored the importance of strong partnerships across the maritime community in building a strong safety culture.

At the opening of Safety@Sea Week, the National Maritime Safety at Sea Council and the Singapore Shipping Association launched the Singapore Near Miss Reporting System to encourage the reporting and sharing of lessons from near miss incidents.

Modelled on the internationally recognised Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP), the system provides sea space users with a confidential online channel to report near misses. CHIRP will independently receive the submissions and provide anonymised information to the Council, which will distil key safety lessons for sharing with the wider maritime community.

Note: More information about the event can be found here

 

Photo credit: Peter Nguyen on Unsplash
Published: 17 August, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

China: SIPG Energy completes first simultaneous two-vessel, two-fuel green bunkering operation

SIPG Energy says the simultaneous LNG and bio-methanol bunkering operations demonstrate Shanghai Port’s expanding capability to supply multiple green marine fuels at anchorage.

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Shanghai port completes first simultaneous two-vessel, two-fuel green bunkering operation

SIPG Energy (Shanghai) Co Ltd (SIPG Energy) on Sunday (16 August) completed what it described as China’s first simultaneous two-vessel bunkering operation involving two different green marine fuels at anchorage, supplying LNG and bio-methanol to two vessels.

The company’s LNG bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai supplied LNG to PIL’s KOTA ELAN, while methanol bunkering vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan supplied domestically produced biomass-based methanol to CMA CGM’s dual-fuel container ship CMA CGM OSMIUM.

According to SIPG Energy, the two bunkering operations were carried out simultaneously and safely, highlighting Shanghai Port’s growing ability to provide diversified and large-scale green-fuel bunkering services at anchorage.

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The operation required enhanced coordination in safety management, resource allocation and emergency response. Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, Shanghai Customs and Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection, along with other supporting organisations, provided regulatory guidance and operational support.

“The combined efforts of all parties significantly improved the efficiency of bunkering at anchorage,” the company said. 

The company said it will continue to expand its safe bunkering capabilities for bio-methanol, LNG and other green marine fuels, while broadening its fuel supply portfolio and service scenarios to support the shipping industry’s transition to lower-carbon marine fuels.

 

Photo credit: SIPG Energy
Published: 17 August, 2026

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