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Alternative Fuels

VPS: Shipowners turn to ‘highly reactive’ Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) biofuel blends for marine fuel

Competition for FAME from aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuel for vessels, explains Steve Bee.

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The drive towards decarbonisation has lately brought shipowners to adopt Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) as a biologically renewable resource for marine fuel, learned bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“One of the latest biofuels to come into the marine market is CNSL,” said Steve Bee, Group Commercial Director, VPS at the VPS Biofuels Seminar on Wednesday (15 February).

“CNSL is a bio component used instead of FAME and is a naturally occurring byproduct of the cashew nut industry. It’s a substituted phenol, a low-cost renewable substance, and chemically reactive.”

Competition for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), a traditional component of biodiesel, from the aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuels for their vessels, explained Bee.

He highlighted properties of CNSL seemed to conform with the ISO 8217:2012 standard for marine distillate and marine residual fuels, but warned CNSL-blended fuels with MGO, VLSFO or HSFO have shown mixed reactions to vessel operations.

“Some CNSL-blends have been stored and burnt without issue, whereas others have given rise to operational problems including fuel sludging, injector failure, filter clogging, system deposits, corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings, and damage to SCR units, amongst others,” he shared.

“The thing to remember is CNSL, though not corrosive to copper or steel, is a reactive phenolic compound which can polymerise forming gums while also creating fuel deposits.”

According to Bee, CNSL is used as an effective monomer in many industrial plastic applications such as resin manufacturing, adhesives, laminates, and surface coatings production due to its ability to polymerise when heated above 200°C.

“CNSL is a long chain substituted phenol, which as a monomer is highly reactive,” he highlighted.

“The thing to be aware of for CNSL is it exhibits very high acid values usually greater than 3mg KOH/g; and considering the ISO 8217 limit is 2.5mg KOH/g, pure CNSL is highly corrosive.

“In terms of its iodine value, these are also very high at greater than 300 g I2/100g so it’s highly reactive and less stable.

“Further, potassium levels within CNSL are typically high leading to potential post-combustion deposits and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings.”

Bee recommended shipowners to not use 100% CNSL as a marine fuel and advised stakeholders to initiate discussions with their OEMs on the material compatibility of CNSL-based biodiesel blended products.

“Though blending 100% CNSL will reduce its high acid number, reactivity and potassium levels while increasing energy content, the operation may increase sulphur, cold-flow and sediment potential issues instead,” he pointed out.

“CNSL blends can also significantly reduce hydrocarbon, CO/CO2 and smoke emissions, although they raise NOx emissions slightly.

“Absence of sulphur in CNSL will require marine engine lubrication oils with low TBN and high detergency in order to provide efficient engine lubrication and prevent scuffing.

“Don’t try and store this material for longer than three months. And if that is unavoidable, then tests every couple of months for acid number, iodine value, plus obviously ISO 8217 parameters will have to be done.”

Moving forward, Bee was keen to introduce an Additional Protection Service for biofuels based on VPS’ experience of having tested more than 1,000 biofuels as marine fuels.

“Biofuels will certainly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from ships and certainly help towards a reduction in pollution from the global fleet,” he stated.

“But they do come with their own individual considerations in terms of transfer, storage and use. Good fuel management and understanding of the pros and cons of biofuels should mitigate the risks of using this particular material.

“My final message is please use VPS’ experienced expertise to support you, in your use of biofuels, to protect your assets, to protect the crew, and protect the environment.”

Related: VPS organises seminar on biofuel bunkers in Singapore
Related: VPS launches APS-BIO offering biofuels protection service against potential damage

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 17 February, 2023

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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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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