Asia-Pacific ports are laying the groundwork for green hydrogen-based e-fuel markets through coordinated action across multiple sectors, according to an Accelleron study.

The report, ‘Asia Pacific as the proving ground for overcoming shipping’s carbon-neutral fuel deadlocks,’ says ports across the region are aligning industrial and maritime requirements with national decarbonisation and energy security strategies.

It notes that while dual-fuel tonnage capable of using methanol and ammonia is already entering service, production of those fuels remains slow because interest is fragmented and capital and infrastructure needs are substantial.

Christoph Rofka, president of Accelleron’s medium- and low-speed division, said: “Where e-fuel projects succeed, energy and multiple hard-to-abate industries move together. Combining demand creates contracts large enough to start building, shares risk so projects become insurable, and allows developers to build infrastructure once instead of duplicating it.”

The study points to early hydrogen and e-fuel developments at ports including Singapore, Yokohama, Busan and Shanghai. These initiatives are being driven less by shipping needs alone and more by wider national strategies linked to decarbonisation and energy security.

It also states that terminals across the region are progressing ammonia and methanol plans, developing safety frameworks, strengthening fuel-handling capability and improving operational readiness. At the same time, early output is moving forward through offtake from land-based sectors such as power generation, chemicals and heavy industry.

The report describes an emerging market structure in which harbours are taking on different roles depending on geography, industrial structure and resource base, including producer, connector, receiver and export hub functions.

It identifies high-volume corridors such as the Australia-Singapore-China iron ore route as practical pathways for early deployment, linking commercial demand, maritime traffic and port preparedness. The Singapore-Rotterdam route is also highlighted as a developing connection between Asia Pacific’s emerging e-fuel network and European hubs.

Yokohama is cited in the study as an example of how national policy, local government coordination and industry cooperation are being brought together in practice. As one of Japan’s designated Carbon Neutral Ports, it is aligning waterfront development with nearby infrastructure planning and the country’s wider energy strategy.

Yokohama’s roadmap includes 145 public-private partnership projects spanning fuel-handling systems, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol supply chains, together with shore power, electrified equipment and financing mechanisms. The port is also working with neighbouring Kawasaki City to align regional fuel planning with industrial demand.

Hitoshi Nakamura, director for Carbon Neutral Port Promotion at the Port and Harbor Bureau of the City of Yokohama, commented: “Public support is critical to enabling early development, especially when we are working across multiple sectors. Through the Yokohama Port CNP Sustainable Finance Framework, we have made it easier for companies to access green loans and other financing, and in a short time have launched 145 projects spanning port decarbonisation, fuel-related infrastructure, and supply chains.”

The full report can be downloaded here.