Stena Line, IMO
Date: 2020-06-10
The world's largest marine ferry service operator Stena Line reports it has cut both its total CO2 emissions and emissions per transported tonne, 10 years ahead of International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets which call for the shipping industry to reach zero emissions by 2050.

According to the newly published sustainability overview A Sustainable Journey, Stena Line has reduced total CO2 emissions by 1.7 pct, corresponding to 24,000 tonnes of CO2 in total. The company has also reduced the emissions per transported tonnne of freight and passenger vehicles by 3.6 pct , meeting the IMO's targets for a 40 pct improvement in CO2 emissions efficiency from 2008 to 2030. (Source: Stena Line, Cruise & Ferry, June, 2020) Contact: Stena Line, Eric Lewenhaupt, Head of Sustainability , +46 (0)31 85 80 00, www.stenaline.com; IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Maritime Institute
Date: 2020-04-17
In Singapore, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) are reporting release of their 12-month study covering the technological, environmental and economic considerations in adopting alternative fuels.

The comprehensive study evaluates the characteristics of liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen, and outlines ways to incorporate them into existing ship systems. The study also provides short-, medium- and long-term measures, for shipping companies to overcome challenges in incorporating alternative fuels into their value chain and outlines how companies can use alternative fuels to help meet the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets of at least 50 pct, compared to the levels in 2008.

Download the Alternative Fuels for International Shipping studyHERE.(Source: NTU, SMI, Sea News, 16 April, 2020) Contact: NTU, Dr. Prapisala Thepsithar , Professor Louis Phee, Dean of College of Engineering, +65 6791 1744, www.ntu.edu.sg; Singapore Maritime Insitute, +65 6270 2885, www.maritimeinstitute.sg

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Inmarsat, IMO
Date: 2020-04-01
UK-based Global satellite communications provider Inmarsat has taken the role of a founding member in Asia's first decarbonising shipping initiative. The Singapore-based initiative is part of the Trade and Transport Impact (TTI) programme from venture development firm Rainmaking to bring global startups together to look into meeting UN targets on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Backed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the initiative expects to identify more than 1,000 projects offering models to tackle decarbonisation, with selected startups to be matched with maritime industry leaders willing to build collaborative pilot projects.

Other initiate participants include Cargill, DNV GL, Hafnia, Mitsubishi Corp's subsidiary MC Shipping, Vale, and Wilhelmsen.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is targeting a 50 pct cut in shipping GHG emissions by 2050, and average carbon intensity (CO2 per tonne-mile) reductions of 40 pct by 2030 and 70 pct by 2050 compared to 2008 figures. (Source: Inmarsat, Seatrade, Mar., 2020) Contact: Inmarsat, +44 (0)20 7728 1000 -- London, +65 6499 5050 -- Singapore, maritime@inmarsat.com, www.inmarsat.com; IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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Samsung Heavy Industries,
Date: 2020-03-25
In an initiative aimed at reducing maritime shipping emissions and identifying an alternative to currently used heavy oil "bunkering" fuel, London-headquartered Lloyd's Register, Samsung Heavy Industries, MISC, and MAN Energy Solutions in January launched an ammonia-fueled tanker project to examine the use of ammonia as an alternative maritime fuel. Following a study with A.P. Moller-Maersk, Lloyd's Register has determined the best (marine) fuels for achieving zero net emissions are alcohol, biomethane and ammonia.

Lloyd's Register Group Limited is a technical and business services organization and a maritime classification society, wholly owned by the Lloyd's Register Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to research and education in science and engineering. The organisation dates to 1760, according to wikipedia. (Source: Lloyd's Register, Trade Only Today, Mar., 2020) Contact: Lloyd's Register, www.lr.org; A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, www.maersk.com

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International Maritime Organisation
Date: 2020-01-06
Reuters is reporting global oil refiners have "upgraded processing units and adjusted operations to raise output of low-sulphur residual fuels and marine gasoil (MGO) to prepare for stricter shipping fuel standards that kick in on Jan.1, 2020."

The new London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards prohibit the use of fuels containing more than 0.5 pct sulphur, compared with 3.5 pct through the end of December, unless the ship is equipped with exhaust-cleaning "scrubbers".

The shipping industry consumes about 4 million bpd of marine bunker fuels, and the rule changes will impact more than 50,000 merchant ships globally, opening a significant new market for fuel producers. (Source: International Maritime Organization, Gulf Today, Reuters, 31 Dec., 2019) Contact: International Maritime Organization, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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SK Chemicals
Date: 2019-12-13
Reuters is reporting Pangyo, South Korea-based biofuels producer SK Chemicals announced tests are underway on blending its biodiesel with petroleum-based fuels to create low-sulphur marine oil compliant with International Maritime Organization's (IMO) move to mandate that from January 2020 ships must cut harmful emissions either by burning fuel with 0.5 pct sulphur, down from the current 3.5 pct, or installing emissions-removing scrubbers.

The company is also noted it is considering increasing its biofuels output by 50 pct as it eyes what will be a new market in the shipping sector.

SK Chemicals can produce 500,000 kilolitres per year of biodiesel and biofuel oil, primarily from palm fatty acid distillate. (Source: SK Chemicals, Nasdaq, Reuters, 12 Dec., 2019) Contact: SK Chemicals, 02-2008-2008, 02-2008-2009 - fax., www.skchemicals.com

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International Maritime Organization
Date: 2019-11-18
In London, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is reporting its Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships has agreed on a draft strategy on the voluntary reduction of GHG emissions from ships. The resolution urges IMO member states to develop National Action Plans that could include:

improving domestic institutional and legislative arrangements for the effective implementation of existing IMO instruments;

developing activities to further enhance the energy efficiency of ships;

initiating research and advancing the uptake of alternative low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels;

accelerating port emission reduction activities; and fostering capacity-building, awareness-raising and regional cooperation;

facilitating the development of infrastructure for green shipping.

IMO noted that it has already adopted mandatory technical and operational measures to improve the energy efficiency of ships and reduce GHG emissions, including the energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships of 400 GT and above. (Source: IMO. Bunkerspot, Nov., 2019)Contact: International Maritime Organization, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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Maersk.Martime Emissions
Date: 2019-09-25
At the UN climate action summit in New York. senior figures from the maritime, infrastructure, energy and finance sector, including shipping giant Maersk and oil company Shell, joined the "Getting to Zero Coalition" and pledged zero emissions shipping will be a commercial reality by the end of next decade.

To that end, the companies will seek to coordinate the launch of clean fuels and vessels while making sure that these are supported by adequate ports, finance and policy incentives.

The initiative is in keeping with UN International Maritime Organization's (IMO) pledge to halve emissions from 2008 levels by 2050. Currently responsible for 2 - 3 pct of annual global emissions, the international shipping industry could see its emissions jump up to 250 pct by 2050 in the absence of any action. (Source: Maersk, PR, 23 Sept., 2019) Contact: Maersk Line, Soren Skou, CEO,www.maerskline.com International Maritime Organization Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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Neste
Date: 2019-08-16
Helsinki-headquartered Neste, the world's largest producer of renewable diesel fuel reports it will introduce Neste Marine 0.5 , a new fuel before the year end.

The new fuel will help maritime shippers comply with the International Maritime Organization's 2020 sulfur cap of 0.5 pct to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, effective 1 Jan, 2020. Neste Marine 0.5, which is manufactured at the company's refinery in Porvoo, Finland, will be available at yet to be announced locations in Northwest Europe.

In other Neste news, the company announced it is partnering with Valdosta, Georgia-based McCall Companies to distribute its branded Neste MY Renewable Diesel in Oregon, which implemented clean fuels standards in 2016. (Source: Neste, Biodiesel Mag., 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com; McCall Companies CEO Kevin Jones, CEO, 229.242.2551, Fax - 229.244.8358, mail@mccallinc.com, www.mccallinc.com

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CDP
Date: 2019-06-26
A Sea Change, a new report from the London-headquartered environmental non-profit and investment research provider CDP notes the world's maritime shipping majors are not investing in key technologies to reduce their carbon footprint, and that the sector is at risk of missing the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) targets to reduce GHG emissions by 50 pct by 2050.

The report ranks 18 of the largest publicly listed shipping companies, representing $62 billion of market capitalization, on business readiness for a low-carbon transition. CDP's analysis finds maritime innovation trends currently focus on technologies and fuels that only deliver marginal improvements; the shipping sector has poor rates of disclosure with only 5 companies completing CDP's 2018 Climate Change questionnaire; and board level oversight of climate issues is very low with only 3 companies having board level climate committees.

According to the report, shipping accounts for up to 3 pct of global emissions and 10 pct of transport emissions while transporting around 80 pct of the world's trade in physical goods. (Source: IMO, CDP, 25 June, 2019) Contact: CDP, Carole Ferguson, Head of Investor Research, www.cdp.net; IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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International Chamber of Shipping
Date: 2019-05-22
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the world's major maritime shipping organization, representing around 80 pct of the world's merchant tonnage, reports it "remains confident that shipping will improve its carbon efficiency by at least 40 pct by 2030 compared to 2008, in line with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions."

ICS also noted it welcomes the additional guidance agreed by the IMO MEPC to assist the smooth implementation of the global sulphur cap on 1 January 2020 -- requiring ships outside sulphur emission control areas to use fuel with a sulphur content of 0.5 pct or less. (Source: International Chamber of Shipping, Marine Link, 17 May, 2019) Contact: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org; International Chamber of Shipping, Guy Platten, Sec. Gen., www.ics-shipping.org

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Baltic and International Maritime Consultative Organization
Date: 2019-02-25
The Denmark-headquartered Baltic and International Maritime Consultative Organization (BIMCO) notes that the forthcoming Fourth International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas Study should not include "unrealistically high GDP growth projections to determine the future level of shipping industry emissions."

BIMCO wants the next IMO study to ignore Scenarios 1 and 5 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) because they are based on unrealistic short- to mid-term economic growth projections. According to BIMCO, "The previous [IMO] study's most pessimistic projection of a 250 pct increase in CO2 emissions from shipping has since proven to be totally unrealistic, given the actual and projected economic development of the world, Unfortunately, the 250 pct projection has frequently been used as a stick against the shipping industry and to shape regional policy. BIMCO wants to avoid that happening again."

BIMCO claims a new report by the CE Delft consultancy uses a more realistic GDP growth forecast to project a reduction of 20 pct against a goal of 50 pct by 2050. Acknowledging the 30 pct shortfall in emissions reduction "We will need new solutions, in addition to traditional efficiency measures, to reach the 2050 target. But to pick the right solutions, we need realistic projections." BIMCO says.

BIMCO has 2,000 members in more than 120 countries representing shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents. (Source: Baltic and International Maritime Consultative Organization, Project Cargo Global, Feb., 2019) Contact: BIMCO Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Sec. Gen., +45 44 36 68 00, +45 44 36 68 68. mailbox@bimco.org, www.bimco.org

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International Maritime Organization
Date: 2018-07-13
The Washington-based Methanol Institute (MI) reports the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) will develop a standard for methyl/ethyl alcohol as a marine fuel and a standard for methyl/ethyl alcohol fuel couplings. By burning methonal as a fuel shipowners meet the 2020 sulphur cap, and potentially future CO2 emission regulations.

The standard is to be developed for methanol as a marine fuel as owners look to a variety of alternatives to meet the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2020 0.5 pct sulphur cap. ISO is expected to develop the standard as soon as possible. There are currently eight methanol powered vessels in operation worldwide. (Source: International Maritime Organization, SeaTrade Maritime, 12 July, 2018) Contact: International Maritime Organization, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org; International Organization for Standardization, www.iso.org; Methanol Institute, (703)248-3636, www.methanol.org

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Cargill,IMO
Date: 2018-07-03
Minneapolis-based agri-business giant Cargill is reporting the launch of its CO2 Challenge initiative to accelerate the development of emission cutting technologies across the shipping sector. Cargill will work with risk management and certification specialist DNV GL and start-up advisor Rainmaking to deliver the initiative.

In 2017, Cargill pledged to cut its CO2 per cargo-ton-mile by 15 pct by the end of 2020.The CO2 Challenge follows the latest round of talks at the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) on how to curb emissions from the global shipping sector. The IMO announced a new target to cut shipping emissions 50 per cent by 2050 backed by an interim strategy to curb emissions and introduce new reporting-based measures designed to drive investment in greener shipping technologies and techniques.

Businesses and entrepreneurs who have a product in need of commercial assessment, testing, investment, and scaling are being invited to apply to participate in the CO2 Challenge before September 17, 2018. (Source: Cargill, Business Green, 2 July, 2018) Contact: Cargill, Jan Dieleman, Pres. Ocean Transportation Business, (800) 227-4455, www.cargill.com/transportation/dry-bulk-shipping

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IMO
Date: 2018-05-04
In Kingston, Jamaica reports it is among 10 countries that have been selected to participate in the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project which aims to support the implementation of energy-efficiency measures to reduce maritime shipping industry greenhouse gas emissions.

GloMEEP member countries -- Argentina, China, Georgia, India, Malaysia, Morocco, Panama, Philippines and South Africa -- will serve as lead pilot countries for implementing legal, policy and institutional reforms; undertake awareness-raising and capacity-building activities and establish public-private partnerships to support low-carbon shipping.

Jamaica, through the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), is currently staging a three-day session to assist maritime administrations, port authorities and their personnel to better understand sources of emissions in ports, identify strategies and solutions and train participants in the use of two new guides -- Guide for a Port Emissions Status Assessment and Guide for the Development of a Port Emissions Reduction Strategy -- which are being developed under the GloMEEP project.

GloMEEP is being undertaken through partnership involving the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). (Source: Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnership, Jamaica Information Service, 2 May, 2018) Contact: GloMEEP International Maritime Organization, www.glomeep.imo.org

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International Maritime Organization
Date: 2018-04-06
In March, the International Transport Forum (ITF), an autonomous intergovernmental body within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD )reported that the international shipping industry could cut carbon emissions by between 82 pct and 90 pct by 2035 using currently available options such as clean-burning fuels like methanol, hydrogen and ammonia, implementing electric propulsion, hull design improvements and slower sailing speeds, all of which would cost the industry far in excess of an estimated $40 billion.

The biggest concern to shipowners is that if the IMO fails to come up with a solid "voluntary" plan, the European Union will include shipping in its Emissions Trading Scheme, where a cap is set on permissible greenhouse gases and amounts that can be emitted.

Shipping was excluded from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement with governments entrusting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to find a consensus on carbon, sulfur and other emissions and air pollutant reduction measures from ocean going vessels. According to the IMO, shipping contributed about 3.1 pct of total annual CO2 emissions in the period from 2007 to 2012. Vessel emissions are projected to jump between 50 pct and 250 pct by 2050 if no action is taken. (Source: IMO, Others, WSJ, April, 2018)Contact: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org; International Transport Forum, www.itf-oecd.org

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IMO
Date: 2017-11-13
From the COP23 climate conference meeting in Bonn, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reports the IMO's draft strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships has certified more than 2,600 ocean-going ships to the mandatory energy efficiency design requirements, which have been in force since 2013.

The IMO also reports the significant global reduction in the sulphur content of the fuel oil used by ships from 1 January 2020 is expected to further contribute to maritime GHG emissions through the anticipated resulting uptake of alternative fuels. IMO also noted its capacity-building and technical cooperation with the UNDP-GEF-IMO global energy efficiency project (GloMEEP) and the European-Union funded maritime technology cooperation centre's network (GMN) project. (Source: IMO, Marine Link, 7 Nov., 2017)Contact: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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International Chamber of Shipping,IMO
Date: 2017-11-13
According to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents more than 80 pct of the world's maritime fleet, the elimination of carbon emissions from oceangoing vessels is achievable by the end of this century. To accomplish this goal the shipping industry must continue to support International Maritime Organization (IMO) with developing an ambitious CO2 reduction strategy, as well as embrace renewable energy-based power technologies.

. While still requiring final IMO verification, ICS said current emissions reduction measures undertaken by the maritime industry has reduced the annual CO2 emissions to about 8 pct below the 2008 peak, despite a 30 pct increase in maritime trade. Various IMO member states have called for ship emissions reductions in the range of 50 to 70 pct by 2050 and 2060 (Source: ICS, American Shipper, 7 Nov., 2017) Contact: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org; International Chamber of Shipping, www.ics-shipping.org

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International Chamber of Shipping
Date: 2017-11-10
In Bonn, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced its vision for a carbon-free fleet in the second half of the century and proposed that International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states adopt a "suitably ambitious goal" for a reduction in carbon emissions, based on an "agreed percentage."

In addition to any climate measures that IMO may adopt, unrelated regulatory initiatives are likely to lead to emissions reductions in the near term due to "significant increases in marine fuels and the switch by the entire world fleet to low sulphur fuels." "This should greatly incentivize, to the extent this is possible, the further reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by ships.," the ICS says. (Source: International Chamber of Shipping , MarExec,, 7 Nov., 2017) Contact: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org; International Chamber of Shipping, www.ics-shipping.org International Chamber of Shipping,

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BHP, Goodfuels,International Maritime Organization
Date: 2017-09-27
In Singapore, energy providers BHP and GoodFuels report they have agreed to collaborate on a biofuels pilot project in 2018 as part of a larger discussion on the use of biofuels as a sustainable alternative maritime shipping fuel.

The two firms joined forces at the Singapore Biofuel Roundtable organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The roundtable comes at an opportune time in light of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 0.5 percent global sulphur cap on marine fuels which will come into effect from 2020, as well as he IMO's longer term plan to lower carbon emissions for shipping.

MPA is seeking seek collaborative partnerships with shipowners on the bio-energy front, including finding solutions to barriers to the use of biofuels. (Source: MPA, BHP, Goodfuels, American Shipper, 25 Sept., 2017) Contact: GoodFuels, Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO , info@goodfuels.com, www.goodfuels.com/marine MPA, Andrew Tan, CEO, +65 6375 1600, www.mpa.gov.sg; International Maritime Organization, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

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