BUSINESS

Shanghai’s New Trading Platform Aims to Speed Up Adoption of Green Marine Fuels

Published: Jul. 3, 2026 1:49 p.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

Shanghai launches pilot operations for an international trading platform for green marine fuels on Tuesday. Photo: CCTV

Shanghai is establishing an international trading platform, a certification center, and dedicated transport corridor for green marine fuels, aiming to accelerate their use by easing supply chain constraints and setting industry standards.

The initiative, announced Tuesday at an industry conference, comes as market participants look to China to play a larger role in shaping the global transition to sustainable maritime fuels amid stalled talks at the International Maritime Organization.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Save an extra $50. Introductory offer for new readers. Subscribe now.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

Shanghai launched a green marine fuel trading platform, certification center, and transport corridor to ease supply constraints and set industry standards.
The trading platform began pilot operations; a corridor transports green methanol from Jilin province to Shanghai for bunkering.
Industry executives urge international alignment, mutual recognition with EU, and reinstatement of an export tax rebate; high costs remain a barrier.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

China Energy Investment Corp. Ltd.: China Energy Investment Corp. Ltd. (国家能源投资集团有限责任公司) is a state-owned energy giant. Its hydrogen technology subsidiary co-developed Shanghai's green marine fuel trading platform, which launched pilot operations to support sustainable shipping fuel supply chains.

Shanghai International Port (Group) Co. Ltd.: Shanghai International Port (Group) Co. Ltd. handles bunkering for green methanol fuel as part of Shanghai's initiative to create a transport corridor for green marine fuels, linking a production base in Jilin to the port via Dalian.

A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S: A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S is a Danish shipping giant. Its China unit executive, Shi Yingtong, stated that Chinese green fuel standards must achieve mutual recognition with the EU for market access, and urged the Chinese government to reinstate an export tax rebate for green methanol to reduce fuel costs.

CMA CGM Group: CMA CGM Group is a French container shipping company with China operations. Its strategic development director, Xiao Rufeng, noted high costs hinder green fuel adoption and called for government decarbonization policies. CMA CGM also orders dual-fuel vessels (LNG and green methanol) to navigate the energy transition.

COSCO Shipping Lines Co. Ltd.: COSCO Shipping Lines Co. Ltd. is pursuing a diversified fuel strategy. It is ordering new vessels capable of running on both liquefied natural gas and green methanol to navigate the uncertain technological transition in sustainable marine fuels.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

April 2026：: Chinese government cancels export tax rebate for green methanol, increasing fuel costs for ships by about 13%.

July 1, 2026：: Shanghai announces initiative to establish an international trading platform, certification center, and transport corridor for green marine fuels at an industry conference.

July 1, 2026：: Trading platform for green marine fuels, developed by Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange, and a China Energy Investment Corp. subsidiary, begins pilot operations.

July 1, 2026：: New certification center for sustainable transport fuels begins operations to establish an independent Chinese assessment system.

As of 2026：: First phase of transport corridor from a green methanol production base in Jilin province to Shanghai becomes operational, linking land transport to Port of Dalian and then shipping to Shanghai.

As of 2026：: Domestic market lacks mandatory regulations for green fuels and relies heavily on European Union standards.

In 2026：: High costs remain a primary hurdle for broader adoption of green fuels; CMA CGM and COSCO Shipping Lines order new vessels capable of running on LNG and green methanol.

AI generated, for reference only