Decarbonization News

European Union countries agreed on Friday to keep pushing for a global price on shipping's CO2 emissions in U.N. talks next week, setting up another potential clash with the United States over the proposal.Governments at the International Maritime Organization decided last year to postpone the climate plan by a year, after the Trump administration strongly opposed the measure and threatened to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on delegates who supported it.That has not stopped European countries attempting to revive the plan…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Pacific International Lines (PIL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on emissions verification linked to alternative marine fuels.The agreement supports PIL’s participation in book and claim registries, aimed at enabling independently verified claims of emissions reductions.Under the arrangement, ABS will act as an independent third-party verifier of PIL’s fuel consumption, transport activity and emissions data.“ABS is committed to helping clients navigate maritime digitalization with clarity and confidence.

The shipping industry is getting ahead of discussions at MEPC 84 next week by reaffirming their commitment to the IMO.BIMCO, CLIA, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERFERRY, INTERTANKO and WSC, representing the global commercial shipping fleet, issued a statement saying they remain committed to pursuing the ambition established within the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, having invested and committed billions of dollars to trial and implement the use of alternative…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has selected six partners under its Call for Proposals (CFP) to advance and scale up in-water hull inspection and cleaning solutions in the Port of Singapore, in support of more efficient and lower-emission shipping.The CFP received 19 proposals from 36 companies across nine countries.The six selected partners – Alicia Bots, C-Leanship, Neptune Robotics, Oceanis Robotics, RINA and SEAHI Robotics – will receive close to USD$2.91…

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, has been contracted to supply the Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for two new 51,350 m3 capacity midsize ammonia fueled liquid ammonia carriers, which will also be capable of carrying liquefied petroleum gas. The ships are being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd. shipyard in China and will be owned by a joint venture between Navigator Gas and Norway based Amon Maritime. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2026.As the shipping industry transitions to decarbonizing operations…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has obtained an approval in principle (AiP) from classification society ClassNK for a liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier design equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems.The vessel, developed with Samsung Heavy Industries, is designed to transport liquefied CO2 and incorporates three Wind Challenger units, a rigid sail system that uses wind power to assist propulsion.The approval covers a design with a cargo capacity of about 40,000 cubic meters intended…

Wind propulsion company bound4blue has completed the installation of two suction sails on a newbuild vessel for Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC).The two 24-metre eSAILs were installed on the MV Baltazar at New Yangzi Shipbuilding in China, with the vessel expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2026.The project marks the company’s first installation of suction sails manufactured locally in China and is among the early applications of the technology on combination carriers.“This is a landmark project in many respects.

Japan’s NYK Group has launched a lubricating oil analysis service to monitor the condition of ammonia-fueled engines, as it seeks to support the adoption of alternative fuels in shipping.The service, developed by group company Nippon Yuka Kogyo, is designed to detect early signs of abnormalities in engines using ammonia as fuel.Ammonia is seen as a next-generation maritime fuel due to its low greenhouse gas emissions during combustion, though it requires new approaches to monitoring engine performance.The service uses lubricating oil analysis to assess internal engine conditions…

Stillstrom, a unit of A.P. Moller - Maersk, has launched two offshore charging systems aimed at supporting vessel electrification in the offshore wind sector.The new solutions, Power Hub and Power Tower, are designed as standalone systems that can be deployed independently of wind turbine infrastructure, enabling flexible charging options for vessels operating at sea.The systems are based on monopile designs and target one of the key challenges in offshore wind operations - the reliable supply of electric power for service vessels used in installation…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, with the support of C40 Cities, have renewed their memorandum of understanding on a green and digital shipping corridor for another three years.First signed in 2023, the renewal reinforces the ports’ commitment to decarbonization and digitalization along the trans-Pacific route, one of the world’s busiest container trade lanes. It also supports efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience and energy security. Since the corridor’s launch, several milestones have been achieved.

Rio Tinto has signed a contract with NS United Kaiun Kaisha (NSU) to charter two methanol-capable dual-fuel Newcastlemax bulk carriers for delivery from 2028 onwards.The agreement reflects Rio Tinto’s long-term approach to shaping its freight portfolio by future-proofing the fleet today while industry regulations on decarbonization continue to evolve.Rio Tinto Head of Commercial Operations, Laure Baratgin, said: “Shipping is entering a period of significant transition, but the pace, direction and economics of alternative fuels remain uncertain.

BIMCO, CLIA, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERFERRY, INTERTANKO and WSC, representing the global commercial shipping fleet, have issued a statement in support of the IMO ahead of the next Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) meeting next week.The industry associations remain committed to pursuing the ambition established within the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, having invested and committed billions of dollars to trial and implement the use of alternative fuels and innovative technology.Following the postponement…

Wärtsilä has announced that its 4‑stroke engine solution for ammonia fuel now offers a higher power rating. As part of the company’s ongoing development of ammonia‑fueled engine solutions, the upgrade to the Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia engine raises output to 315 kW per cylinder at 900 rpm and 345 kW per cylinder at 1000 rpm, matching the power level of the LNG‑fueled Wärtsilä 25DF engine. A key benefit of the upgrade is that fewer cylinders are required for a given power demand, which will reduce installation complexity and simplify maintenance.

NYK has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hokkaido Electric Power to conduct a study related to onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technologies.Under the agreement, the companies will jointly study a demonstration project in Tomakomai, Japan, focused on decarbonizing maritime transport.The study will run over a three-year period through fiscal year 2028 and will cover the design and operation of demonstration equipment to be installed on the coal carrier Pirika Moshiri Maru…

SGMF has published its latest Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on LNG, further demonstrating reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional marine fuels. One of the key findings is evidence of up to 29% tank-to-wake GHG emissions reductions when using LNG compared to MGO 0.1%, an improvement of up to 13% compared to the previous LCA conducted in 2022. This progress contributes to overall well-to-wake GHG emissions reductions of up to 25%, supported in part by…

The European Commission has published the verified EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) emissions data for 2025 showing a -1.3% reduction in ETS emissions, compared to 2024 levels.This reduction continues the steady downward trend of emissions. Since the ETS was launched in 2005, the system has halved emissions in the sectors it covers. It remains on track to achieve the 2030 target of a 62% reduction.For maritime, the reported data so far shows that emissions from the sector fell by around 3%.Emissions from power generation through combustion of fossil fuels continued their downward trend…

Grieg Maritime Group has signed a contract with GT Wings to install at least two of their AirWing20 on their fleet.Energy efficiency will be crucial for both climate action and commercial success going forward. Waiting for new fuels and new ships will not be enough to succeed; measures must also be implemented on the existing fleet.The GT Wings AirWing20 is a Jet Sail that will enable Star Kirkenes to take advantage of the wind, reducing fuel consumption.The AirWing was selected for its high thrust output and compact footprint…

Belgian shipowner Exmar has named two ocean-going ammonia dual-fuel midsize gas carriers, said to be the world’s first, marking a milestone in the development of low-emission shipping.The two vessels, ANTWERPEN and ARLON, were built in South Korea in cooperation with HD Hyundai as part of a multi-year development programme.Each vessel has a cargo capacity of about 46,000 cubic metres, including 45,000 cubic metre cargo tanks and two 500 cubic metre deck tanks. The design incorporates…

Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, is deepening its collaboration with Microsoft to help make it easier for industrial companies to modernize their operations, break free from proprietary legacy systems and deploy AI-powered automation at scale.A Collaboration Built to End Legacy DragThe Schneider Electric collaboration with Microsoft combines Schneider Electric’s role as a global energy technology partner and pioneer of open, software‑defined automation with Microsoft Azure cloud, AI, and edge infrastructure.

Weiler Abrasives, a leader in surface conditioning solutions, has been recognized for its sustainability-related achievements by the Sustainable European Abrasive Manufacturers (SEAM). In a recently released CO2 Emissions Report, SEAM identified Weiler Abrasives as one of only 11 abrasives companies to achieve recognition for climate leadership for the 2024 fiscal year by achieving greater than 4% emissions reduction.The member companies were recognized for their significant progress in emissions reduction.

Wah Kwong NatPower and Huzhou Wuxing Ruituo Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop zero-carbon inland shipping corridors, focusing on electrification infrastructure across key waterways in China.The partnership will establish a network of electric vessel charging and battery-swapping facilities, integrating energy supply, digital systems and operational services into a unified platform.The initial phase will focus on the Hangzhou–Jiaxing–Huzhou region in Zhejiang province…

EcoNavis Solutions is developing a next generation wind-assisted propulsion system designed to enhance the performance and commercial viability of Flettner-type rotor sails for deep-sea shipping. The company’s Eco Rotor Sail introduces a patented tail-appendage device designed to increase thrust, reduce power demand, and widen the range of wind angles in which rotor sails can operate efficiently.Flettner rotors, rotating cylindrical sails first introduced in the 1920s, are enjoying a come back as shipowners seek credible ways to cut fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published new guidelines to support the safe operation of ships using wind-assisted propulsion systems, as the shipping industry increasingly adopts technologies aimed at reducing fuel use and emissions.The guidelines provide recommendations for developing and implementing safety management systems tailored to vessels equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), including rotor sails, suction sails and wing sails.The report highlights the need to address operational…