Classification society DNV on Monday (22 June) published a Maritime Impact article, summarising the key findings of its Methane in shipping paper, helping shipowners of LNG-capable vessels to meet stricter GHG reduction requirements, and optimise LNG‑based fuel strategies for future compliance: 

Excluding LNG carriers, more than 800 ships can run on LNG using mature, proven technology and established infrastructure, with over 600 more on order.

Under the FuelEU Maritime regulation, LNG‑capable ships can remain compliant on fossil LNG until around 2035, depending on engine configuration. Ships fitted with two‑stroke high‑pressure dual‑fuel engines can remain compliant longer than those using four‑stroke low‑pressure dual‑fuel engines, which are more common in cruise ships and RoPax vessels.

Extending LNG compliance with low-GHG options

DNV’s Methane in Shipping white paper indicates that a potential compliance pathway is the use of LNG-compatible low-GHG fuels. LNG ships are compatible with alternatives such as liquefied bio-methane and e-methane. With tightening GHG intensity requirements, these ships are thus well positioned to transition towards lower GHG emission fuels without major retrofits for these alternatives.

“Bio-methane and e-methane can achieve very low, or even negative, life cycle emissions depending on how they are produced. LNG-fuelled vessels can progressively decarbonize by blending in or switching to these fuels,” explains Øyvind Sekkesæter, Senior Consultant at DNV and lead author of the paper.

Demand for low-GHG methane will grow with tightening regulations

According to demand projections outlined in the paper, compliance-driven low-GHG methane demand under FuelEU Maritime alone could reach 2–4 million tonnes by 2040, rising to as much as 40–95 million tonnes under the proposed IMO Net Zero Framework’s base target.

On the supply side, current production of low-GHG methane is limited, but still higher than many other low-GHG fuel alternatives. Global bio-methane production reached around 7 million tonnes in 2024 and is projected to increase to about 15 million tonnes by 2030. E-methane remains nascent, with only 0.01 million tonnes of operational capacity today, but announced projects could lift this to 0.9 million tonnes by 2030.

While there is significant potential to expand the global supply of low-GHG methane beyond today’s production levels, shipping will compete with other sectors for this supply. Most available supply is already absorbed by power generation and road transport, meaning access for shipping will largely depend on its willingness to pay relative to other users.

Note: The full DNV article can be read here. 

Related: DNV paper: Existing LNG bunkering infrastructure will ease transition to low‑GHG methane

Photo credit: FueLNG and DNV
Published: 23 June, 2026

Global bunker supplier Dan-Bunkering on Friday (19 June) said it has recently concluded an LNG delivery in China for Sallaum Lines’ newbuild Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), Ocean Express. 

The delivery involved approximately 1,400 metric tonnes (mt) of LNG bunker fuel. 

This delivery is the outcome of a development process that began around April 2025, during which Dan-Bunkering worked with Sallaum Lines to evaluate several LNG supply opportunities in China linked to the company’s newbuild programme. 

Ocean Express is one of six newbuilds in the series and represents the fourth supply opportunity Dan-Bunkering has supported so far.

For this delivery, Dan-Bunkering said it secured a ship-to-ship supply solution aligned with the vessel’s operational requirements. The solution was made possible through close cooperation with supply partner SIPG Energy.

“This is a great example of what it takes to support clients in the transition to alternative fuels,” said James Shiller, Global Lead of New Fuels at Dan-Bunkering, and continues:

“LNG bunkering is not always straightforward, particularly during a first full bunker operation. Success depends on local knowledge and persistent cooperation across teams. Sallaum Lines trusted us and SIPG Energy to keep working the options, and we are proud that all involved teams turned a challenging situation into a successful delivery. We value the relationship and look forward to supporting their remaining newbuild deliveries.”

The company added that the delivery was made possible through close coordination across Dan-Bunkering and the wider Group, including Dan-Bunkering’s Netherlands office, Bunker Holding’s specialists and sourcing team.

Photo credit: Dan-Bunkering
Published: 22 June, 2026

A new consortium facilitated by the Global Maritime Forum and RMI will work to establish a green shipping corridor between the Port of Açu in Brazil and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, according to Global Maritime Forum on Thursday (4 June). 

In addition to the port teams on both ends of the corridor, the consortium includes HIF Global, Fuella, NYK Line, Höegh Autoliners, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. 

The consortium will assess infrastructure, vessels, and business models to create a roadmap for transporting zero-carbon fuels produced in Açu, such as e-ammonia or e-methanol. The transport itself would also be powered by the same zero- or near-zero-emission fuels.

“We’re thrilled to be working with these partners to take these important steps towards Brazil’s e-fuel production and bunkering opportunity, whilst supporting the growing demand for e-fuels in Europe,” said Eleanor Wells, a senior project manager at the Global Maritime Forum.

The new consortium builds on a pre-feasibility study developed by RMI and the Global Maritime Forum in November 2025. 

The study highlighted the competitive projected costs of e-fuel produced in Açu, due to Brazilian policies supportive of green hydrogen production, the country’s largely renewable electricity grid, its abundance of renewable energy sources, and a relatively low cost of capital. A 2024 report from the same two organisations, Oceans of Opportunity, identified the Port of Açu as a high-potential e-fuel export hub.

Green shipping corridors are dedicated trade routes where the feasibility of zero-emission shipping is catalysed by public and private action. These routes are seen as central to delivering on the shipping industry’s goal of having zero-emission fuels account for 5% of all fuels by 2030. 

While green corridors have rapidly expanded in popularity worldwide, and a handful of initiatives have now reached the realisation stage, the most recent edition of the Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors warned that progress is being stalled by a ‘feasibility wall’ created by the cost gap between conventional and zero-emission fuels.

The Global Maritime Forum and RMI will continue to facilitate the realisation of the Açu-Antwerp green corridor, with work already moving at pace to progress beyond pre-feasibility and develop a feasibility analysis for the corridor. The feasibility analysis is expected to be published by the end of the year, with the consortium meeting regularly in the meantime.

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 5 June, 2026