Tag Archives: sustainability

The Bottleneck in Green Fuel Supply for Shipping Industry

DNV, a major classification service for the maritime industry (it stands for Det Norske Veritas), is reporting that accounting for newbuilds that can burn alternate green(er) fuels, the bottleneck will be the supply of these fuels for maritime use.

It calls the phenomenon a “fuel transition tipping point”. It’s a strong demand signal for fuel producers. The graph shows the exponentially rising number of alternative fuel ships in the fleet, and adds the order book for the future. Methanol seems to be increasing quickly.

The infrastructure just isn’t there yet, and bunker operators and fuel producers need to step up their investments.

Green corridors are one approach that is gaining traction. In this scenario, several partners join forces with ports, fuel producers and bunker operators to make sure the infrastructure is there for fueling with green fuels on the route, usually point-to-point. Maersk has been a leader in this effort. Others are getting on board.

You can read the DNV maritime forecast to 2050 report here.

Sam Chambers September 11, 2025

https://splash247.com/shippings-fuel-transition-hits-a-supply-side-reality-check/

EU’s Black Sea Maritime Safety Hub: A Strategic Initiative

The EU is planning to create a Black Sea Maritime Safety Hub.

It’s important because of the adversarial maritime climate there. The Black Sea is used by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and other nations as a port to the world. It’s busy, and there is danger of interference or attacks due to the war in Ukraine.

“The EU is committed to help turn the Black Sea into a mine-free sea basin through enhanced cooperation with its member states, the Black Sea partners, like-minded countries, and partner organizations,” it declares.

The plan does not propose a specific location for the hub but outlines a role in building maritime situational awareness through monitoring efforts. It would include a focus on submarine cables and offshore assets including gas and wind energy infrastructure. It would also focus on the dangers created by the shadow fleet of tankers involved in the Russian oil trade.

These are all useful functions for international trade in the area. Kudos to the EU for stepping up.

Published May 28, 2025 2:03 PM by The Maritime Executive

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/eu-plans-black-sea-maritime-safety-hub-seeking-to-build-regional-relations

Carbon Capture for ships – current state

Some people think carbon capture onboard is going to be important in meeting emissions goals for ships. There is some entrepreneurship, and some interest by large oil producers and purveyors.

However, many problems remain to be solved. There is essentially no ‘supply chain’ to handle the liquefied carbon product the ships produce onboard from running the carbon capture equipment. Liquid CO2 has a market, but ports are not set up to move it from the ships to storage nor to distribute it into commercial channels.

And it’s not yet clear how much emissions reduction there will be when conventional fuel is burned on ships but the carbon is captured.

Nevertheless, there is activity in this segment. This article explains what’s happening in one case, based on info from classification society DNV.

There are also several links to resources about carbon capture for ship engines.

I’m quite skeptical of carbon capture. It’s nominally a good thing. But the cost of the storage may be large. And how much captured carbon can we reuse?

If the oil companies are back of it, how can it be all good? What are the pitfalls?

Seatrade logo

Barry Parker, New York Freelance Correspondent

September 17, 2024

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/sustainability/onboard-carbon-capture-and-storage-gaining-ground