Main Conference Day Two

Global operators are facing almost contradictory regulatory pressures across regions. While US-based operations are not in lockstep with European regulation, the EU’s regulations still applies to vessels on transatlantic routes - and so are driving long-term investment in newbuilds and alternative fuels. This session brings together international shipowners to explore whether North America’s regulatory discrepancies impact fuel transition decisions, and how they are balancing global compliance with available infrastructure.

- How do global operators assess the fuel transition when operating across the US and global markets?

- What drives investment in new fuels or dual-fuel capability when infrastructure varies between regions?

- Does the lack of clarity on US regulatory timelines delay or divert alternative fuel uptake?

- How does infrastructure in the North American market for alternative fuels (e.g. ammonia) impact alternative fuel decisions?

As the IMO signals potential methane slip regulation under future revisions of its GHG reduction strategy, addressing this issue is becoming unavoidable. With increased focus on lifecycle emissions, methane slip may become a costly if regulations dictate fines. This panel explores where current technology stands, what innovations are emerging and how the sector can collaborate to reduce methane emissions across engines, bunkering and supply infrastructure.

- What methane slip mitigation technologies are being trialled and where have results been most promising?

- Who is responsible for methane slip in the LNG value chain - engine makers, suppliers, or operators?

- How likely is the IMO to introduce specific limits, and when?

- What initiative are helping industry collaboration for development of technical solutions?

While LNG export infrastructure continues to expand across the Gulf Coast, small-scale bunkering infrastructure to serve individual vessels remains limited in North America. With European regulations driving global shippers to consider investing in alternative fuels, and IMO MEPC meetings driving this urgency further on a global scale, shipowners are looking to North America to understand where they might secure their future supply on their routes. With most ports in the Americas still focused on large-volume exports rather than scalable bunkering services with LNG, this poses a challenge. Join this session to learn:

- Which ports are actively building small-scale infrastructure for LNG, and other alternative fuels, and what has been driving this investment into the infrastructure?

- What lessons can be learnt from early movers like Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, and the Panama Canal in enabling small-scale LNG bunkering?

- What are the financial, safety, and compliance hurdles ports are facing in developing small-scale bunkering infrastructure? 

While we discuss the operational and commercial viability of alternative fuels in maritime, the legal frameworks are becoming just as important for shipowners to consider. While LNG benefits from clear coverage under the IGF Code and existing P&I insurance structures, ammonia remains in a legal grey zone with no dedicated conventions for liability or compensation when used as a marine fuel. With stricter fuel regulations looming and new fuels entering the market, this session breaks down where the legal gaps lie and what they mean for shipowners, insurers and regulators.

- What are the current legal frameworks covering LNG use, and why is this seen as a key enabler for adoption?

- Where does ammonia fall short in terms of international regulation, liability and insurability?

- How do existing conventions like the Bunker Convention and HNS Convention apply and where do they fail?

- What risks does the absence of legal coverage for ammonia create, and could we be heading toward a regulatory crisis point?

Last year’s session explored how key stakeholders across the LNG bunkering value chain had worked collaboratively to shape revisions to the US Coast Guard’s CG-ENG Policy Letter 02-15, which governs the design standards for US LNG bunker barges. Since then, political changes have disrupted the process, with the USCG placing the effort on hold and disbanding the industry subcommittee. So where does that leave barge operators, shipyards, and fuel buyers in 2025?

This session will revisit where the draft stood, what the implications of the regulatory pause are, and what industry stakeholders can do in the meantime to maintain safety, consistency, and commercial viability in LNG bunker barge development. It will also explore whether the private sector needs to take more initiative in the absence of a clear federal policy path.

With global ship operators looking to diversify their fleets, and exploring new avenues for reducing their carbon emissions, the viability of fuels like Methanol and Ammonia come into play, along with their pathway through blue and green production. However, given the current uncertainty, there development of these facilities is not an investors priority currently. Join this panel to understand:

- What is the current update on plant development, and how can they progress?

- How is investor decision making changing, and what would need to change in order for investments to be made again in these facilities?

- What is the impact on the shipowners that are looking to diversify their fleets?

With EU regulation pushing mandatory shore power at berth, there is wider global efforts for ports to play a more active role in the maritime decarbonization efforts. In this presentation you will learn how Port of San Diego is leading with an integrated electrification strategy, installing shore power infrastructure, deploying zero-emission cargo handling, and uncovering the challenges of electricity demand and cost differences with fuels and funding.

Join the session to hear the port’s practical experience rolling out shore power, including its impact on ship operations, lessons from rate design and infrastructure upgrades, and how California’s regulatory stance may hint at future global requirements.

Despite early enthusiasm for LNG bunker barges for example in the US Gulf, progress has slowed. Planned projects have seen delays or have gone quiet entirely. This session investigates what is holding back development - is it regulation, financing, permitting, or project complexity? With the SHIPS for America mandate aiming to expand domestic shipbuilding, what’s needed to actually get more bunker vessels on the water?

- What’s causing the slowdown in LNG bunker barge projects across the US?

- Are approvals, safety standards, or commercial uncertainty delaying investments?

- How is the SHIPS for America mandate expected to change the game, and is it enough?

- How does this affect LNG availability and trust in supply among shipowners?

As LNG adoption grows across multiple sectors, including road transport, aerospace, and heavy industry, the maritime sector faces increasing competition for limited supply. With players in the space industry for example, using LNG for propulsion and industrial fleets leaning into natural gas, how will the maritime supply chain remain competitive? This session unpacks the cross-sector dynamics that could shape pricing, access, and future investment for LNG for ships.

- What are the current and projected demand levels for LNG across competing industries in North America?

- How does the space industries involvement in LNG change market dynamics and infrastructure investment?

- Will trucking, rail, and industrial use disrupt existing bunkering networks or support new ones?

- What can maritime learn from these industries success in securing long-term LNG supply?

While LNG is the most popular alternative fuel option, and the demand is rising, there is still some concern with the longevity of the fuels compliance with global regulation. An important factor now for shipowners, is looking to how they can improve on the fuel efficiency, to further lower their emissions to help with compliance and avoid cost penalties. Join this presentation to discover how shipping operators are prioritizing methods for improving fuel efficiency. From optimizing voyage speed and weather routing, to air lubrication and high-performance coatings, to carbon capture and storage technology. Operators are now looking for practical, scalable solutions, that work well with LNG powered vessels.