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Alternative Fuels

T&E: FuelEU Maritime policy lacks predictability for deployment of green e-fuels

‘FuelEU risks locking in even greater gas demand. That was a bad policy even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it’s an even more disastrous one now,’ it states.
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The current EU proposal for shipping, called “FuelEU Maritime” does not give enough predictability for green e-fuels to be deployed on the market, concludes a breakout session from the recent Acting now for the zero-emissions planes and ships of tomorrow online event organised by Transport & Environment (T&E).

FuelEU Maritime, part of 13 proposals introduced under the ‘Fit for 55’ package, is a greenhouse gas (GHG) policy concept that sets a limit on the overall lifecycle GHG intensity of fuels.

Shipping industry representatives have objected to the FuelEU approach because it puts the onus on shipping companies to comply and source for compliant fuels; arguing that requirement should be put on marine fuel suppliers to make renewable and low carbon fuels available.

The breakout group dedicated to zero-emission shipping discussed the challenges of decarbonising the industry and the need to scale up sustainable fuels.

As an operational expenditure (OPEX) of zero-emission shipping far outweighs the capital expenditure (CAPEX), shipping companies do not only need policy support for the installation of new technologies, but also for fuel costs, it finds.

“Instead of supporting these new fuels, FuelEU risks locking in even greater gas demand. That was a bad policy even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it’s an even more disastrous one now,” states T&E.

“That’s why investing in LNG infrastructure is in no way a clean long-term solution, as we have outlined in another briefing.

“Continuing polluting fuels from the past or facilitating the transition to a clean future without LNG but renewable e-fuels is not a choice. It is rather imperative to not produce sunk costs with technologies that will soon be outdated and too expensive seeing higher carbon prices.”

According to T&E, more emphasis should be put to reduce fuel consumption, which could be achieved by mandating zero-emission berths and supporting wind sails technologies.

Actors are already working on greening the maritime sector, by developing and implementing new solutions at scale:

  • The European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Center (EGHAC) is a consortium that aims to accelerate green hydrogen fuels projects by supporting the build-up of a supply chain.
  • MAN ES is a leading European manufacturer of ship engines that plans on delivering ammonia and methanol engines in the next few years.
  • LMG Marin is a naval engineering company active in Norway, France, and Poland, that has already delivered several hydrogen ship projects.
  • Madoqua is involved in projects of supply of hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia to main ports in Portugal.

The solutions presented by speakers at the online event demonstrated that zero-emission shipping is already happening and will only accelerate in the years to come, says T&E.

Last but not least, the availability of supply and refuelling infrastructure in ports are crucial for investment decisions in zero-emission ships. And in order to secure all this, legislative action is key.

The FuelEU policy has received criticism from several associations since its introduction; a record of feedback from other parties is as follows:

Related: Proposed FuelEU Maritime proposal ‘not fit for purpose’ in current form, says shipping association
Related: WSC: FuelEU can do more for the decarbonisation of shipping – in the EU and internationally
Related: ECSA: Members support uptake of clean fuels but highlight FuelEU enforcement loopholes
Related: EU “Fit for 55” package ineffective, believes Cyprus Chamber of Shipping
Related: IBIA: Fuel EU Maritime, EU ETS and bunker tax proposals raise many questions
Related: ECSA: EC “Fit for 55” package offers lack of consistency among other climate proposals
Related: T&E: EU push to green shipping is positive but risks locking in fossil gas
Related: LEAKED: EU’s supposedly ‘green’ shipping law will lock in fossil fuels, says T&E

 

Photo credit and source: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 16 March, 2022

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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