SELECTED HEADLINES ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS & TECHNOLOGIES
BY INTERCARGO- February 2026
DRY BULK SHIPPING FOCUS
Seabound reaches commercial deployment milestone
Seabound has completed its first full-scale onboard carbon capture system, marking a major commercial milestone for the UK-based clean technology company. Reference: Motorship. Link
METHANOL / ETHANOL
Vale teams up with Everllence on ethanol fuelling
The mining major is developing triple-fuel ore carriers capable of using emerging ethanol-based marine fuels. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
NYK bulker cuts emissions by two-thirds using low-carbon methanol
The Japanese owner reported significant emission reductions from an ultramax chartered by BHP. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
ETFuels inks first binding e-methanol offtake deal with RFOcean
A fixed-price green methanol supply agreement from 2030 underscores a long-term compliance strategy. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
Japan completes first STS methanol bunkering
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and partners completed Japan’s first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at anchorage. Reference: Motorship. Link
AMMONIA
WinGD ammonia two-stroke engine completes type approval testing
Completion of Type Approval and Factory Acceptance Testing marks a major milestone toward commercial ammonia propulsion. Reference: PeopleTech Maritime. Link
Ammonia effluent standards group launches
An international working group will develop global safety management and discharge standards for ammonia-fuelled ships. Reference: Motorship. Link
First offshore vessel to operate on ammonia coming this autumn
Eidesvik Offshore is converting PSV Viking Energy for ammonia-powered operations. Reference: Offshore Energy. Link
HYDROGEN
Hydrogen on the horizon for new-build Norwegian ferry
Kongsberg Maritime has secured a propulsion contract for Gotlandsbolaget’s hydrogen-ready ferry Horizon X. Reference: Maritime Journal. Link
New York’s first hydrogen fuel cell-electric ferry enters design stage
Development has started on a hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast-ferry design targeting New York waters. Reference: Riviera. Link
Everllence advances hydrogen propulsion
The company has upgraded its Augsburg research engine test bench to enable hydrogen combustion trials. Reference: Motorship. Link
BIOMASS/BIOFUELS
Biofuel industries make their pitch for shipping
Methanol, ethanol and biogas producers call for stronger regulatory support while highlighting supply constraints and feedstock complexities. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
Regulation isn’t the only factor slowing bio-LNG uptake
Production fragmentation, regulatory differences and methane leakage risks are cited as key barriers. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
CARBON CAPTURE
DNV plots a rocky road to onboard carbon capture
Scenario modelling suggests onboard carbon capture could contribute post-2030, but faces significant technical and economic challenges. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
TECHNOLOGIES
Jiangnan Shipyard obtains nuclear safety licence
A five-year civil nuclear licence supports China’s advancing nuclear propulsion ambitions. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
Maersk and Bill Gates back American battery pioneer
Fleetzero has secured $43m in Series A funding to scale high-density marine battery systems. Reference: Splash247. Link
Cold ironing just got cooler
INNIO Group’s Jenbacher microgrids integrate cogeneration systems with renewable energy sources for shore power. Reference: Port Strategy. Link
Saipem adopts AI for predictive maintenance
AI tools are being deployed to enhance maintenance efficiency and safety offshore. Reference: Riviera. Link
Fuel tech firm aims to reform bunker efficiency
Fuelre4m claims its molecular reforming technology enhances combustion and energy output from conventional bunker fuels. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
DECARBONISATION
Panama, Liberia and Argentina propose LNG-friendly alternative to Net-Zero Framework
The proposal suggests lower emission targets without a carbon price and introduces surplus unit flexibility mechanisms. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
NGOs sue EU Commission over green taxonomy
Legal action challenges the EU’s classification of fossil-fuelled shipping and aviation as sustainable activities. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
Crew change travel carries overlooked carbon cost
Scope 3.6 emissions from crew logistics are drawing increasing scrutiny within maritime decarbonisation strategies. Reference: Splash247. Link
Hapag-Lloyd and DSV sign CO₂e emissions-reduction agreement
A two-year framework agreement aims to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Reference: Riviera. Link
$20 billion Asian LNG project advances with environmental clearance
Indonesia’s Masela block LNG development progresses following regulatory approval. Reference: Offshore Energy. Link
SELECTED HEADLINES ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS & TECHNOLOGIES
BY INTERCARGO- January 2026
DRY BULK SHIPPING FOCUS
Berge Bulks fits second ship with rotor sails
Berge Neru becomes the Singapore-based owner’s third wind-assisted vessel, reinforcing its wind propulsion strategy. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Cargill’s first methanol-fuelled ship embarks on maiden voyage
The first of five methanol-fuelled bulker newbuildings is expected to initially use methanol primarily for testing purposes. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
HMM showcases South Korea’s first domestic wind propulsion system
The owner has indicated a fleet-wide rollout for its dry bulk vessels should trials confirm meaningful fuel savings. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Bulk carrier installation highlights risks and benefits of OCCS
China Classification Society underlines the need to balance innovation with safety as onboard carbon capture technologies evolve. Reference: Motorship. Link
Hydrogen boost for bulk shipping
LH2 Shipping has secured NOK 299 million to further advance hydrogen-powered bulk carrier projects. Reference: Motorship. Link
Paradip plugs in to shore-to-ship power
Paradip Port becomes India’s second major port to commission a shore power system capable of supplying full-load electricity. Reference: Port Strategy. Link
METHANOL
New two-stroke methanol dual-fuel engine under development in Japan
J-ENG is targeting commercial methanol engine deployment by 2027 as part of its carbon-neutral roadmap. Reference: Riviera. Link
Maersk adds another methanol-powered vessel to its fleet
A.P. Moller–Maersk has taken delivery of the first in a new series of six dual-fuel mid-size container vessels. Reference: Offshore Energy. Link
Why green methanol first movers are now looking at ethanol
Early adopters of green methanol are reassessing fuel strategies amid regulatory and supply developments. Reference: Lloyd’s List. Link
AMMONIA
CMB.TECH secures green ammonia for newbuildings
The owner has signed offtake and investment agreements to support its expanding ammonia-fuelled fleet. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Project launched to replace diesel generators with ammonia-to-power packs
A joint initiative between Vinssen, Samsung Heavy Industries and Amogy targets ammonia-based onboard power systems. Reference: Splash247. Link
Exmar completes largest ship-to-ship ammonia transfer to date
The operation marks a new milestone in ammonia handling and transfer operations. Reference: Motorship. Link
Wärtsilä to supply ammonia engine for Skarv
The Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia engine will power a new cargo vessel for Skarv Shipping Solutions. Reference: Motorship. Link
Boosting Norway’s ammonia bunkering network
Azane Infrastructure has secured funding to expand bunkering terminals along Norway’s coastline.Reference: Port Strategy. Link
HYDROGEN
Japan to build world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier
A 40,000 m³ LH₂ carrier is planned at Kawasaki, targeting operations in the 2030s. Reference: Riviera. Link
BIOMASS/BIOFUELS
Biofuels shown to significantly reduce black carbon emissions
Trials indicate an 81% reduction in soot emissions from a biodiesel-powered tanker. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
MOL, Sinopec and Marubeni partner on marine biodiesel supply
The collaboration aims to establish long-term biodiesel supply chains for shipping. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Odfjell launches green corridor between Brazil and Europe
Certified sustainable biofuel will be used on regular chemical tanker voyages. Reference: Splash247. Link
Bio-LNG market continues strong growth
Rising adoption in 2025 underlines bio-LNG’s growing role in decarbonisation pathways. Reference: Motorship. Link
CARBON CAPTURE
Chinese shipbuilder research quantifies cost of removing one tonne of CO₂
The study examines the full CCS chain from onboard capture to permanent storage.
Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Ports unite to advance carbon capture infrastructure
UK and European ports are collaborating to strengthen CO₂ transport and storage capabilities.
Reference: Port Strategy. Link
Carbon Captured Transhipper concept proposed
The concept focuses on ship-to-ship CO₂ transfer, onboard storage, and shore discharge.Reference: Offshore Energy. Link
It takes a lot of CO₂ to capture CO₂
Findings from GCMD’s Project Captured highlight lifecycle emission accounting challenges. Reference: Lloyds List Link
TECHNOLOGIES
NYK and Stolt-Nielsen invest in ship sludge-to-fuel start-up
XFuel aims to scale production of low-carbon bunkers from waste liquids. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Eastern Pacific and GCMD quantify wind-assisted fuel savings
Average instantaneous power savings of 7.2% were recorded during trials. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Maersk and Bill Gates back US battery pioneer
Fleetzero claims its battery system is the world’s most energy-dense for marine use. Reference: Splash247. Link
HMM rolls out autonomous navigation technology fleetwide
The owner has partnered with Avikus to deploy AI-based navigation systems. Reference: Splash247. Link
DECARBONISATION
Singapore calls for more LNG bunker suppliers
The Maritime and Port Authority plans to upgrade its LNG bunkering reference framework. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
Poseidon Principles banking group considers expansion
Discussions are underway to include private equity and underwriting participants. Reference: TradeWinds. Link
