China’s rapid build-out of wind and solar capacity could help it become a major supplier of green fuels for international shipping, according to the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD).

Speaking in a recent CCTV feature, GCMD chief projects officer Wee Meng Tan discussed how the country’s domestic energy transition could evolve into a broader role in global marine fuel supply.

GCMD said China has already made significant progress in expanding renewable power generation, particularly wind and solar, across its northeastern provinces. The next challenge, according to the organisation, is turning that renewable electricity into green fuels that can be supplied to the shipping sector.

The group also pointed to Dalian as a location with the potential to become a future green fuels hub, citing its access to renewable energy sources and existing infrastructure. In GCMD’s view, the port could become an important point in a developing regional green fuels network.

Tan stated that the next stage will depend on linking production centres with the places where fuel is needed. He commented: “We believe that linkages from Dalian to Singapore and other bunkering ports in Asia or the ASEAN region is a natural development.”

According to GCMD, the path shipping takes on fuel choice will depend heavily on where those fuels are available. That means closer alignment will be needed between energy-producing regions and bunkering hubs, as well as stronger coordination between the maritime and energy sectors.

GCMD is based in Singapore and focuses on initiatives to support maritime decarbonisation.

The comments were made as part of a report examining China’s role in the global energy transition and the potential implications for shipping.