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Methanol Institute: Europe’s shipping sector needs certainty for renewables transition

Forty-seven entities called for the maintenance of proposed 2% sub quota of renewable fuels of non biological origin and its application to all shipping firms.

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The Methanol Institute, which serves as the trade association for the global methanol industry, was amongst 47 companies which recently submitted a letter to the EU Council calling for the maintenance of the proposed 2% sub quota of renewable fuels of non biological origin as part of plans to support to use of e-fuels as a bunker fuel for the shipping sector:

Leading companies from across Europe’s fuel production chain have joined with NGOs to press the European Union’s legislators to provide the clarity and certainty they need to make long term investments in the renewable fuels required for the clean energy transition.

In a letter to the EU Council, Parliament and Commission, 47 entities, representing the entire value chain of green fuels including suppliers, users and maritime technology providers, have called for the maintenance of the proposed 2% sub quota of renewable fuels of non biological origin with the final text of FuelEU Maritime and its application to all shipping companies.

The FuelEU Maritime directive is part of the “Fit for 55” set of proposals to revise and update EU legislation targeting a reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

Signatories to the joint letter including Danish Shipping, DFDS, SeaEurope and the Methanol Institute also ask lawmakers to introduce stronger GHG intensity limits and promote the use of e-fuels through use of a multiplier. This is necessary because while compliance with proposed GHG targets is possible using fossil fuels in short-term, steering investment away from fossil fuels requires a clear demand signal in terms of a sub-quota.

The letter makes clear that a dedicated, binding sub-quota for the maritime supply and demand is indispensable to give e-fuel producers and shipping companies the investment and planning security they need to achieve a swift ramp up of e-fuels.

“The sub-quota mechanism exists in the current text of the FuelEU Maritime legislation going before the Council and Parliament and must be retained if Europe is to secure the investment it needs in the clean fuels required for the energy transition,” said, Rafik AMMAR, Manager of Government and Public Affairs in Europe for the Methanol Institute. “Though a 2% sub quota sounds small, it has huge potential impact for the industry which will be charged in producing a range of renewable fuels; these producers need to have certainty to support the process of decarbonization.”

The letter also points out that an exemption from FuelEU Maritime for small companies and subsidiaries is counterproductive; large as well as small shipping companies must pull in the same direction without exemptions. The pooling system is a well-proven mechanism to help smaller companies comply but should be simplified and made more flexible and easier to access for any company.

The signatories express their support for the ongoing FuelEU Maritime trilogue between the Commission, Council and Parliament to set proactive, ambitious regulation, stating:

“The FuelEU Maritime Regulation has the potential to set the necessary regulatory preconditions for the decarbonisation of the shipping sector. The signatories call on the co-legislators to fully seize this opportunity to make the European industry a global leader in green shipping by raising the ambitions of the GHG intensity limits and promoting the uptake of green, sustainable e-fuels via a dedicated binding sub-quota. This should go hand in hand with matching targets on fuel suppliers and ports to ensure the availability of green e-fuels.”

 

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 26 January, 2023

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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Following the successful deployment of “ONE Singapore” and its sister vessels, “ONE Solidarity” will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Singapore-based container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Thursday (3 July) said it celebrated the maiden voyage of containership ONE Solidarity as the ship made its first-ever arrival in Shekou, China. 

“As one of our S-series methanol and ammonia ready container vessels, ONE Solidarity is another demonstration of ONE’s commitment to sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post. 

Following the successful deployment of ONE Singapore and its sister vessels, ONE Solidarity will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service. 

“Her deployment will boost our service capacity, ensuring faster, more reliable, and highly efficient shipping offerings across key global trade lanes,” the company added.

 

Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 3 July, 2026

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“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Following delivery of the ship in China, it will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, strengthening Fratelli Cosulich’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

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“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Thursday (2 July) celebrated the delivery of Lucia Cosulich at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel is the second of four sister methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within the Group’s fleet expansion programme and follows the launching ceremony held on 2 May 2026.

Designed to support the Group’s bunkering operations and future fuel requirements, Lucia Cosulich is part of the new generation of vessels developed by Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy to combine operational reliability, safety and fuel flexibility.

Lucia Cosulich will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, further strengthening the Group’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

“We wish Lucia Cosulich and her crew fair winds on the next stage of her journey,” the company said. 

Related: Fratelli Cosulich launches second methanol-ready bunker tanker in China

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 3 July, 2026

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DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026 compared to 155 in the same period in 2025.

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DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025. 

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026

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