Infrastructure & Logistics
Ports, bunkering and supply-chain readiness for alternative fuels, and the financial, spatial and regulatory conditions that make them safe and viable. The barrier is rarely a single technical failure, but the simultaneous absence of investment confidence, port space, evidence and regulatory obligation.
Research scope
- ◆Port-specific safety cases: exclusion zones, storage siting and space optimisation
- ◆De-risking investment through lifecycle finance and insurance frameworks
- ◆Material reliability and bunkering codes for ammonia and hydrogen
- ◆Floating and mobile bunkering as a near-term pilot opportunity
Library
Reports and guidance relevant to this theme.
ISO 22120:2026 Standard for Bunkering of Methanol-Fuelled Vessels
ISO released the 22120:2026 standard establishing procedures and safety requirements for methanol bunkering operations. The standard responds to rapid growth in methanol-fueled vessels and corresponding bunkering infrastructure development worldwide.
Open source ↗EMSA Outlook 2026
EMSA's 2026 annual work programme prioritises decarbonisation as a core pillar alongside digital transformation and maritime security. The agency will enhance monitoring and reporting systems for FuelEU Maritime compliance, strengthen pollution detection for alternative fuels, and expand preparedness for spills involving new marine fuels. 2026 marks the first full compliance year under FuelEU Maritime and continued EU ETS integration.
Open source ↗Sustainable Maritime Alternative Propulsion (SMAP): €15 billion EU support scheme for zero-emission fuels and technologies
The European Commission proposed on 17 July 2026 a major revision of the EU ETS and MRV regulations introducing SMAP, which will inject 110 million allowances (approximately €15 billion) between 2028 and 2040 to support adoption of zero-rated fuels and zero-emission propulsion technologies including wind-assisted and electric systems, with additional bonuses for green shipping corridors and EU-sourced equipment.
Open source ↗Methanol Bunkering License Framework Opens in Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore opened applications for licences to supply methanol as a marine fuel, following finalisation of Singapore's methanol bunkering licensing framework and standards which incorporated input from over 50 proposals and methanol bunkering trials since 2023. Licensees must supply methanol as marine bunker fuel during the licensing period from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030, with specified carbon intensity on a well-to-wake basis and transparent chain of custody methodology.
Open source ↗EN 18071:2025 – Inland navigation vessels – Methanol bunkering
CEN/TC 15 'Inland Navigation Vessels' has developed EN 18071:2025 'Inland navigation vessels – Methanol bunkering', a new European Standard that sets out clear technical and operational requirements for refuelling vessels with methanol. EN 18071:2025 addresses these challenges by providing a harmonized set of rules that ensure bunkering operations are carried out with the highest levels of safety, reliability, and interoperability across Europe's inland waterways.
Open source ↗FuelEU Maritime, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805
GHG-intensity targets for energy used on board ships calling at EU/EEA ports, in force from January 2025.
Open source ↗Safe Bunkering of Biofuels: guidance and risk assessment
Characteristics, regulatory landscape and a HAZID-based safety assessment for bunkering bio-methanol, FT-diesel, DME, HVO and FAME.
Open source ↗Events
Conferences and workshops relevant to this theme.
ELVHYS Final Conference: Liquid Hydrogen Safety
The ELVHYS project concludes with a two-day dissemination conference in Brussels, held in a hybrid format, with options to attend in person or online. The agenda covers liquid hydrogen transfer infrastructure, material resistance at cryogenic temperatures, jet fire modelling, component performance in fire, consequence assessment for LH2 incidents, hazard identification and risk analysis for transfer operations, BLEVE phenomena, and training and guidelines that feed into regulation and standards development. ELVHYS is a Horizon Europe project supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, with UKRI funding for the UK participants, and by the Lloyd's Register Foundation.
📍 Brussels, Belgium, and online
GMC 26: Global Maritime Congress 2026
GMC’26 is jointly organised by the Chamber of Marine Engineers, the Maritime Faculty of Dokuz Eylul University, and the University of Strathclyde. Under the main theme “Transformation in Maritime Industry”, the congress will address key issues shaping the maritime sector, including sustainability in maritime transport, green and smart shipping, marine technologies, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, port and logistics systems, the maritime economy, safety, governance, human factors, and digitalisation. Bringing together representatives from academia, public authorities, and the private sector, GMC 26 aims to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and a common vision for the future of the maritime industry. We look forward to welcoming you to İzmir and to your valuable participation.
📍 İzmir, at Dokuz Eylul University Rectorate, Continuing Education Centre
MARLOG 16, Alexandria
MARLOG 16 takes the theme "Building Future Bridges of Global Trade: Advancing Maritime Alliances Towards Vision 2050", covering artificial intelligence, digitalisation, green corridors, resilient infrastructure, multimodal logistics, financing and the future of global maritime networks. The conference is organised by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), an ISMDN partner, in Alexandria, Egypt, from 4 to 6 April 2027. Submit an abstract through [EasyChair](https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=marlog16), and read the [author guidelines](https://easychair.org/cfp/MARLOG16) before you do. Full details are on the [MARLOG website](https://marlog.aast.edu/).
📍 Alexandria, Egypt
Safe Decarbonisation Conference 2027
The network's flagship conference bringing partners and stakeholders together.
📍 London, UK