Future Fuels and Bunkering

Future fuels and bunkering focus on enabling the transition from conventional marine fuels to low- and zero-carbon alternatives, supported by the development of appropriate infrastructure, logistics, and safety systems within port environments. Shipping remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and decarbonization of maritime transport requires a fundamental shift toward alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and, in the near term, transitional fuels such as liquefied natural gas and biofuels. Ports play a critical role in this transition by providing the infrastructure needed to store, handle, and supply these fuels safely and efficiently.

This practice includes the development of fuel storage facilities, bunkering systems, transfer infrastructure, and associated safety and operational frameworks. It also requires integration with upstream fuel production and downstream vessel demand, positioning ports as key nodes within emerging clean energy supply chains. In addition to supporting maritime decarbonization, future fuels infrastructure can enable broader industrial and energy transition objectives, particularly where ports act as hubs for hydrogen production, renewable energy, and fuel distribution.

Future fuels and bunkering directly address emissions from vessels and support long-term decarbonization pathways in the maritime sector. They are closely linked to energy infrastructure and transition readiness, as well as clean energy logistics and industrial capability, given the need for coordinated development of production, storage, and distribution systems. While uncertainties remain regarding the dominant fuel pathways, early investment and pilot projects are essential to support market development and reduce long-term transition risks.

The transition to low- and zero-carbon fuels represents one of the most significant challenges and opportunities in the decarbonization of maritime transport. Conventional marine fuels, including heavy fuel oil and marine diesel, are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen offer pathways to significantly reduce or eliminate these emissions, particularly when produced from renewable sources. Their lifecycle emissions depend on how they are produced: fossil-based methanol, ammonia and hydrogen offer little lifecycle benefit, and methane slip can reduce the benefit of LNG. Transitional fuels, including liquefied natural gas and biofuels, are also playing an important role in the near term by enabling incremental emissions reductions while lower-emission fuel technologies mature (DNV, 2025; SEA-LNG, 2025).

Ports are central to enabling this transition, as they provide the infrastructure required for fuel storage, handling, and bunkering operations. This includes specialized storage tanks, transfer systems, pipelines, and safety systems designed to manage the unique properties of alternative fuels, such as toxicity, flammability, and cryogenic conditions. Bunkering infrastructure must also be integrated with port operations and vessel requirements, ensuring safe and efficient fuel transfer processes. In addition, ports are increasingly being positioned as hubs within broader fuel supply chains, linking fuel production, import/export facilities, and end users across maritime and industrial sectors.

Globally, several ports are already advancing the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure. The Port of Rotterdam has established itself as a leading hub, with significant growth in liquefied natural gas bunkering demand and ongoing development of ammonia bunkering capabilities (Port of Rotterdam, 2025a; Ammonia Energy Association, 2025). Biofuel trials have also been conducted in ports such as Singapore and Rotterdam, demonstrating the potential for near-term emissions reductions using drop-in fuel solutions. In parallel, large-scale projects such as green hydrogen production linked to port infrastructure are being developed, further integrating ports into emerging low-carbon energy systems (PortsEurope, 2026). Industry analyses highlight that methanol and ammonia are among the most promising long-term fuel pathways for shipping, although both require significant infrastructure investment and regulatory development (DNV, 2023; Global Maritime Forum, 2025).

In DMCs, interest in future fuels and bunkering is growing rapidly, driven by the region’s strategic location along major shipping routes and its potential role as a fuel production and distribution hub. Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia completed its first methanol bunkering operation, with Maersk, in late 2024, followed by LNG bunkering with Hapag-Lloyd in 2025, positioning itself as a potential regional hub for low-carbon marine fuels (Port of Tanjung Pelepas, 2026). Vietnam is also exploring green marine fuel development through feasibility studies focused on production, infrastructure, and market demand (Partnerships for Infrastructure, 2025). These initiatives reflect a broader regional trend toward exploring alternative fuel pathways, although large-scale deployment remains in early stages and will depend on investment, policy support, and international collaboration.

Successful implementation of future fuels and bunkering requires a combination of enabling factors.

• Policy and regulatory frameworks are essential to provide clarity on fuel standards, safety requirements, and emissions targets.
• The development of international safety and technical standards is particularly important given the novel characteristics of many alternative fuels.
• Significant investment in infrastructure is required, often involving high capital costs and long development timelines.
• Partnerships and collaboration across stakeholders, including port authorities, energy producers, shipping companies, and regulators, are critical to aligning supply and demand and reducing risks.
• In addition, integration with broader energy systems, including renewable energy generation and industrial demand, can improve project viability and scalability.

Key challenges include uncertainty regarding future fuel pathways, safety and operational considerations, and the need for coordinated development across the value chain. Addressing these challenges through pilot projects, phased implementation, and supportive policy environments will be essential to enabling the transition toward low- and zero-carbon fuels in port environments.