In the Netherlands in late May, X-Press Feeders’ container ship Eco Levant received a bunker of 90% ISCC EU-certified biomethanol and 10% ISCC EU-certified second-generation ethanol at the Port of Rotterdam from inland barge MTS Experience, marking the port’s first ethanol bunkering and one of the first such operations worldwide for a seagoing vessel. X-Press […]
In Germany, the German Aerospace Center said it has begun construction of a floating research platform that will test alternative marine fuels and autonomous systems under real sea conditions, marking the keel laying of the vessel at the FSG Shipyard in Flensburg. The 48-meter vessel, named MODULARIS, will serve as a testbed for fuel cells, […]
In the Netherlands, shipbuilder Damen said it has received class and flag state approval for a methanol-powered tug, clearing a regulatory hurdle that had blocked smaller vessels from adopting the fuel. Existing classification rules for methanol propulsion were written for large vessels such as chemical tankers and did not apply to compact vessels like tugs. […]
In Finland, Finnlines announced that construction has begun on the first of three new methanol-powered ro-pax vessels at a Chinese shipyard, with the ship scheduled to enter service in summer 2028. The Hansa Superstar class vessels are designed for the route between Finland and Germany and will carry both freight and passengers. Finnlines is part […]
In China, Manifold Times reported that state-owned bunker supplier Chimbusco has signed a cooperation agreement with Wanhao Energy Group to jointly develop a supply chain for bio-LNG marine fuel. Under the agreement, Wanhao will contribute production capacity in green liquefied biomethane while Chimbusco brings its global bunkering network and supply chain operations. The companies said […]
In Finland, fuel systems maker Auramarine said it will supply methanol handling equipment for six new passenger and cargo vessels ordered by Italy’s Grimaldi Group, building on an existing supply relationship between the two companies. The ships will operate in the Mediterranean and are designed to run on methanol but can also burn conventional fuels, […]
In Switzerland, marine engine maker WinGD said it has taken the first commercial orders for ethanol-powered engines destined for ocean-going ships, with two large ore carriers to be built in China for Shandong Shipping Corporation under long-term charter to Brazil-based mining giant Vale. The vessels, each capable of carrying 325,000 tons of cargo, will run […]
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service reports new greenhouse gas reduction requirements for marine bunker suppliers in the Netherlands are creating significant market opportunities for U.S. biofuels exporters. The Netherlands imported $535 million in U.S. biofuels in 2025, predominantly bioethanol and HEFA, cementing Rotterdam as Europe’s key bunkering hub. Starting this […]
In China, researchers at the National Defense University of Science and Technology have concluded that ammonia fuel could give the People’s Liberation Army Navy greater operational flexibility and battlefield survivability by eliminating dependence on imported oil and reducing ship visibility to infrared detection systems, according to an analysis published in state-affiliated Guangming Daily. The paper […]
In Finland, ship design firm Deltamarin has joined H4PERION, a four-year Horizon Europe project coordinated by the University of Vaasa that aims to develop and demonstrate a full-scale hydrogen-capable internal combustion engine for long-distance maritime use. The project brings together 16 partners from seven European countries covering ship design, engine development, vessel operation, classification and […]
