Author: Hardeep Singh

Project overview

Al Mana Holding has committed two hundred million dollars to build a sustainable aviation fuel facility within the Suez Canal Economic Zone in Egypt. Operated by the newly formed Saf Fly Limited, the plant will convert refined used cooking oil into two hundred thousand tonnes each year of SAF, BioPropane, and Bio Naphtha starting in 2027.

Commercial foundations

Shell has signed an offtake contract covering one hundred percent of production, giving the project predictable revenue and strengthening credit terms with lenders. Long horizon purchase agreements

like this are emerging as essential accelerators that translate policy ambition into bankable infrastructure across the aviation sector.

A non-obvious insight

Because the fuel will load directly onto ships at Sokhna Port, the project effectively integrates manufacturing with export logistics. This close coupling can reduce transport costs for finished fuel by double digit percentages, an advantage often overlooked when analysing SAF project economics.

Strategic implications

• Egypt positions itself as a bridge linking Gulf capital with European decarbonisation demand.
• The economic zone incentives and ready access to renewable electricity make future capacity expansions straightforward.
• Regional airlines gain a nearby certified supply option that supports compliance with forthcoming international mandates.

Broader market signals

Investors are increasingly drawn toward assets that combine clear climate benefits with traditional industrial strengths such as port access, feedstock availability, and supportive regulation. The Sokhna development ticks each box, suggesting a template other emerging economies can replicate.

Conclusion

The Al Mana Egypt partnership demonstrates that strategic siting, long term offtake, and public policy alignment can turn sustainable aviation fuel from niche concept into scalable reality, advancing both economic growth and global climate goals.

Source – ESG News

Creating a new blueprint for green port logistics

Toll Group has opened an electric decarbonisation hub near Changi Airport that links warehouse, trucking, and electric supply vessels through one digital platform. The facility offers shore power charging, smart cargo handling equipment, and real time scheduling that aligns with Singapore Green Plan 2030. By replacing diesel bunker runs with battery powered vessels, each voyage can cut carbon emissions by as much as eighty percent and save more than one tonne of CO2. Customers gain predictable service while reducing their environmental footprint.

Integrated land sea operations

The hub moves containers seamlessly between air, road, and sea. Electric trucks collect freight, smart conveyors direct cargo into consolidation zones, and vessels depart only when loads, weather, and berth availability align. This integrated model reduces waiting time and avoids unnecessary voyages, delivering efficiency gains that often match the direct emission savings.

Strategic location advantage

Situated close to the busy Eastern Anchorage, the site allows electric vessels to shuttle between terminals and offshore platforms within minutes instead of hours. Proximity to major aviation lanes means spare battery modules and critical parts can arrive by air, trimming maintenance downtime and supporting just in time logistics.

A non-obvious insight

Because the vessels and equipment constantly share operational data, the hub functions as a full scale laboratory for regulators and researchers. Minute by minute energy profiles reveal where battery capacity is wasted or under used, enabling future port designs to right size infrastructure rather than over invest in charging assets. This data driven approach could shorten payback periods for similar projects across Asia.

Partnerships accelerating adoption

Toll Group worked with Yinson GreenTech, maritime technology providers, and academic institutions to build the twelve month pilot. Lessons learned will inform regional guidelines and funding frameworks that help small shipping lines transition without interrupting trade flows.

Conclusion

Singapore now hosts a working example of commercial electric maritime logistics. By combining proven battery technology with digital orchestration, Toll Group has shown that significant decarbonisation and cost efficiency can arrive together. The project signals strong momentum toward cleaner port ecosystems across the region.

Source – Hellenic Shipping News

Raising the Bar for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

EcoCeres recent certification under the RSB ICAO CORSIA scheme marks an important signal for the aviation sector. At a time when scrutiny around sustainable aviation fuel is intensifying, this certification reinforces the idea that credibility now matters as much as capacity.

The RSB ICAO CORSIA framework is widely viewed as one of the most rigorous sustainability benchmarks globally. It goes well beyond carbon accounting and examines biodiversity protection, labour safeguards, and full traceability of feedstocks. For airlines navigating increasingly complex decarbonisation expectations, such depth of verification is becoming essential.

Why Certification Quality Matters for Airlines

International aviation is moving toward a new normal where compliance with CORSIA and emerging SAF mandates is no longer optional. Airlines are expected to demonstrate that emissions reductions are real, measurable, and defensible across the full lifecycle of fuel use.

In this context, independently certified SAF provides more than environmental benefits. It offers regulatory confidence and reputational assurance. Fuels that meet high bar standards help airlines reduce risk as regulators, investors, and customers look more closely at sustainability claims.

A Strong Signal in a Growing SAF Market

The RSB framework is supported by leading civil society organisations, adding further legitimacy in a sector often challenged by concerns over greenwashing. EcoCeres certification places it among a smaller group of producers able to meet these demanding criteria, at a moment when SAF supply is expanding but trust remains uneven.

This milestone also aligns with strong investor interest. Since 2021, EcoCeres has raised around 800 million dollars, reflecting confidence in waste based fuel pathways that avoid land use conflicts and support circular economy principles.

Implications for Aviation Decarbonisation

Sustainable aviation fuel remains the most viable near term solution for reducing emissions from long haul flight. However, its long term role depends on transparency and governance as much as scale.

Certifications like RSB ICAO CORSIA point to where the market is heading. As aviation moves closer to net zero pathways, independently verified SAF will increasingly define credible progress rather than serve as a differentiator.

Conclusion

EcoCeres achievement highlights a broader shift in aviation decarbonisation. The future of SAF will be shaped by trust, traceability, and alignment with global standards. For airlines and fuel producers alike, engaging early with robust sustainability frameworks is becoming a strategic necessity rather than a compliance exercise.

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EUROCONTROL has published its Trajectory 2030 Strategy, offering a structured and forward-looking view of how European aviation can evolve over the rest of the decade. Rather than focusing only on near-term fixes, the strategy provides a practical blueprint that links operational performance, collaboration, and long-term resilience across the pan-European network.

A Strategy Built Through Collaboration

One of the most notable aspects of Trajectory 2030 is its development process. The strategy was shaped through extensive dialogue with Member States, European institutions and a wide range of aviation stakeholders. This inclusive approach ensures that the outcomes reflect shared priorities rather than isolated objectives. The endorsement of the strategy by Member States in November 2025 reinforces its collective ownership and credibility.

Engage Deliver Modernise in Practice

The strategy is organised around three drivers. Engage focuses on deeper cooperation with States partners and global regions. Deliver concentrates on strengthening core functions such as network management innovation and sustainability. Modernise looks inward by accelerating digitalisation improving governance and reinforcing skills and culture. Together these drivers translate high level ambition into measurable initiatives that can be tracked over time.

Why This Matters for Sustainable Aviation

Trajectory 2030 quietly reinforces an important shift in European aviation. Efficiency resilience and sustainability are treated as interconnected goals rather than competing ones. By aligning capacity planning innovation and environmental performance, the strategy creates space for smarter operational decisions that reduce waste and improve system wide outcomes.

Conclusion

EUROCONTROL Trajectory 2030 is less about bold slogans and more about disciplined execution. Its real value lies in providing a common reference point for policymakers operators and industry partners as they navigate growth uncertainty and sustainability expectations. For organisations working at the intersection of regulation operations and environmental performance, the strategy signals a clear direction of travel and an open invitation to collaborate in shaping the next phase of European aviation.

Download Document File Here: EUROCONTROL Trajectory 2030 Strategy

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A Step Forward for Aviation Decarbonization

The European Commissions Sustainable Transport Investment Plan or STIP signals progress in the journey toward lower carbon aviation. It sets out a direction of travel rather than a final destination. While much work remains before policies take full effect, the plan reflects a growing awareness of the real world challenges airlines face as they transition to more sustainable operations.

Recognizing the SAF Market Reality

One of the strongest elements of the STIP is its acknowledgement of the structural challenges around sustainable aviation fuel. The price gap between conventional fuel and SAF and the lack of mature supply chains are now clearly on the table. This recognition is important because effective decarbonization depends not only on ambition but also on practical market conditions.

The proposal to extend SAF support through the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and to reduce administrative complexity is a positive signal. It suggests a shift toward solutions that balance environmental goals with operational feasibility.

Book and Claim as a Market Enabler

The Commissions openness to tradable SAF certification and book and claim mechanisms is another encouraging development. Allowing airlines to claim SAF based on purchase rather than physical uplift at a specific airport could unlock supply across Europe. This flexibility would support investment in production facilities while promoting fairness for operators regardless of geography.

Alignment with global frameworks such as CORSIA also points toward greater international consistency which is essential for an industry that operates across borders.

Transparency and Pricing Confidence

For SAF markets to mature transparency is critical. Airlines need clarity on pricing supply and certification to ensure that higher costs deliver real environmental value. Improved access to sustainability data and simpler reporting processes can help build trust and prevent inefficiencies from slowing progress.

Looking Ahead

The STIP is best viewed as a foundation rather than a finished solution. Its value will depend on how intentions translate into legislation during upcoming reviews of EU ETS and ReFuelEU. Continued dialogue and adaptive policy design will be key to turning momentum into measurable emissions reductions.

Conclusion

The STIP reflects a more grounded understanding of aviation decarbonization. By addressing market barriers alongside climate ambition it opens the door to more effective and scalable solutions. The next phase must focus on turning this positive direction into durable and workable outcomes for the sector.

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Why ISO 13659 matters more than it looks

ISO 13659 may sound like another technical standard, but it arrives at a very important moment. Many organisations already use book and claim for sustainable fuels and renewable energy. They do this because physical supply chains are complex. Fuel and power flow through shared tanks, pipelines and grids, so it is not easy to follow every sustainable unit from origin to final user.

Up to now, each scheme has worked with its own rules. Some are strong and transparent. Others are less clear. ISO 13659 does something very simple but very powerful. It offers a shared language for book and claim. It helps everyone agree on what good practice looks like.

For sustainability professionals this is not only about compliance. It is about clarity, trust and scale.

Book and claim in everyday language

Book and claim can feel abstract, but the idea is simple.

An organisation buys a product or service with a positive environmental attribute. For example, a batch of sustainable aviation fuel, a volume of marine biofuel or renewable electricity. That positive attribute is turned into a certificate inside a registry. The fuel or power itself may go into a common system, but the certificate can move separately.

Another organisation can then buy and retire that certificate. When it does this, it can make a climate related claim that matches the attribute recorded in the registry. The key is that each unit is used only once.

If the rules are weak, trust falls quickly. If the rules are strong and clear, more buyers are willing to join. ISO 13659 aims to strengthen those rules in a consistent way across sectors.

The quiet insight inside ISO 13659

The non obvious value of ISO 13659 is not only in its technical detail. It is in the way it can change internal conversations.

Until now, many book and claim schemes sit mostly with sustainability teams. They manage certificates, track claims and prepare reports. Finance teams see it as an added layer of cost. Operations teams see it as something that happens far from the daily pressure of moving aircraft, ships and trucks.

ISO 13659 invites these groups to speak a shared language.

It encourages clear answers to questions such as

Who is allowed to issue certificates
Who checks the underlying activity
Who can claim the environmental benefit
How is double counting avoided across markets and reports

Once an organisation answers these questions in a structured way, new benefits appear. Data becomes easier to audit. Climate claims become easier to explain to customers. Internal approvals become smoother because people trust the governance around the scheme.

A new backbone for transport decarbonisation

For transport, book and claim is not a side topic. It is becoming a central tool in decarbonisation plans.

In aviation, not every airport will receive physical sustainable aviation fuel in the near term. Book and claim allows corporate buyers and airlines to support production even when the aircraft they use do not always depart from a location with direct access to the fuel.

In maritime, global shipping routes cross many ports with different levels of fuel availability. Certificates for low carbon or zero carbon marine fuels can help ship owners and cargo owners support cleaner energy where it is available, and claim the benefit in a transparent way.

In road transport, logistics operators can use certificates for renewable power or advanced biofuels to clean up complex fleets and shared infrastructure.

ISO 13659 does not solve every challenge in these sectors. However it gives a more stable backbone for the many book and claim systems that already exist or are now emerging. That backbone supports better registry design, clearer claims and more confident investment in new fuels.

Practical steps for sustainability professionals

ISO 13659 is a useful trigger for a simple internal review. Sustainability professionals can start with a few practical steps.

They can map where book and claim already appears in their organisation. For example, in fuel contracts, renewable energy purchases, voluntary climate commitments or customer specific offerings.

They can check how registries are managed. Who holds access. What data is recorded. How certificates are issued and retired. What evidence is kept for verification.

They can review climate related claims in reports and marketing materials. Do these claims match the certificates that have been retired. Are time periods and volumes aligned. Could an external reader misunderstand the messages.

Specialist advisory firms with deep experience in transport and sustainability can support this review. They can translate ISO language into practical checklists, training sessions and revised claim frameworks that work for real world teams. The result can be a cleaner story that stands up to scrutiny from auditors, regulators and customers.

Turning a standard into a strategic tool

It is easy to see ISO 13659 as another item on a long compliance list. That view misses an opportunity.

Handled well, the standard can become a strategic tool. It can help leadership teams decide where they want to position themselves in emerging markets for sustainable fuels and energy. It can guide the design of new customer products that bundle transport services with high quality environmental attributes.

It can also support better cooperation along value chains. Fuel producers, carriers and corporate buyers can align on shared registry rules and claim principles. This reduces friction, speeds up deal making and reduces the risk of disputes about ownership of climate benefits.

The most interesting insight is that a technical standard can quietly reshape behaviour far beyond the legal or audit function. It can influence how sustainability teams talk to finance, how sales teams talk to customers and how boards talk about progress toward climate targets.

Conclusion

ISO 13659 is more than a footnote in the standards catalog. It is a new language for book and claim at a time when many organisations depend on this model to move faster on climate goals.

By treating it as a chance to tidy data, clarify claims and align internal teams, sustainability professionals can turn a complex topic into a source of confidence. The organisations that lean into this work early are likely to find that they can act with more speed and credibility in markets for sustainable fuels and renewable energy.

In other words, ISO 13659 rewards those who see it not only as a rulebook, but as a quiet enabler of better climate action across aviation, maritime and road transport.

Overview

The United Kingdom Emissions Trading Scheme Authority has published its long awaited response to two consultations on free allocation. Rather than changing course dramatically, officials chose to preserve the familiar architecture that industries know, while adding a clear glide path for change between 2027 and 2030.

Key Decisions

• Sectors that will also fall under the forthcoming United Kingdom Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism lose free allocation slowly over nine years beginning 2027.
• Existing product benchmarks stay frozen for 2027 and will then align with the revised European Union values from 2028.
• Carbon leakage risk classifications, activity level thresholds and other technical rules remain untouched, limiting new paperwork.

Practical Implications

Maintaining the status quo means compliance systems that companies already use will remain valid through 2030. Financial planning therefore gains predictability, a point welcomed by heavy industry and investors. At the same time, the planned allocation reduction creates a gentle price signal that rewards early decarbonisation without provoking sudden cost shocks. Investors note that preserved benchmarks also make it easier to compare performance between plants over time, supporting clearer environmental financial reporting.

A Not Obvious Insight

Because the Authority will recycle unneeded allowances into a flexible reserve, power generators and other allowance buyers could experience a smoother market even as industrial allocations shrink. In

effect, excess industrial allowances become a liquidity buffer that moderates price spikes during the transition.

Conclusion

The Authority has opted for evolution rather than revolution. Companies now have time to refine investment strategies, evaluate low carbon technologies, and prepare for eventual CBAM linkage with the European Union. Stability today, combined with a transparent future schedule, is intended to foster confident capital deployment and sustained competitiveness for British manufacturers.

Source – Norton Rose Fulbright

Foundation for transformation

India handles almost all of its overseas trade through ports, and their rapid expansion has been matched by an equally rapid shift toward climate aligned practices. The Indian Ports Act twenty twenty five replaces a century old law, placing sustainability at the centre of maritime governance and requiring strict adherence to global conventions such as MARPOL and the Ballast Water Management Convention.

Policy roadmaps and investment outlook

Two complementary strategic documents guide the transition. Maritime India Vision twenty thirty defines one hundred fifty targeted initiatives, while Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision twenty forty seven foresees investments approaching eighty lakh crore rupees across ports, shipping, and inland waterways. Together they create an unprecedented pipeline of projects that unite emission reduction, renewable power adoption, and safety standards.

Action at operational level

Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines translate policy into measurable action. Ports must reduce carbon intensity per tonne of cargo by thirty percent by twenty thirty and seventy percent by twenty forty seven. Many facilities have already installed large scale solar arrays, with New Mangalore achieving full renewable electricity coverage and Mormugao pioneering incentives that reward visiting low emission vessels.

Partnerships and technology acceleration

India collaborates with Denmark, Norway, Singapore, and several other nations to launch green shipping corridors, pilot hydrogen bunkering, and embrace maritime digitisation. Digital dashboards will soon provide real time visibility on emissions, water use, and worker safety, enabling data driven decision making across the coastline.

Non obvious insight

Because Indian ports are often embedded within thriving industrial clusters, on site renewable generation can supply both port operations and surrounding factories. This dual use model turns every

megawatt of solar or wind capacity into a regional clean energy node, amplifying climate benefits beyond port gates.

Conclusion

By weaving together modern legislation, detailed guidelines, and global collaboration, India is turning its vast maritime network into a catalyst for low carbon growth. The experience demonstrates that emerging economies can integrate trade expansion with environmental stewardship through clear targets and innovative partnerships.

Source – Green Maritime

Why this update matters

A quiet change in a compliance toolkit can have an outsized impact on day to day operations. The latest update to the ReFuelEU Aviation fuel monitoring workflow strengthens the link between flight level data, scope checks, and the final reporting template. That means fewer last minute fixes, clearer audit trails, and more confidence when reporting season arrives.

What is new in version 2.1

The most recent release includes a correction to the Name Manager, which reduces the risk of broken references across tabs. In practice, this helps formulas and dropdown logic behave consistently when operators refresh the file or copy in new flight blocks.

How the tool supports the regulation

The structure aligns operational planning with regulatory needs by bringing planned required fuel, uplift, and actual consumption into one monitoring view. It also keeps room for key regulatory nuances, including accepted exemptions for routes under Article 5(3) and yearly tanked fuel that may be justified under Article 5(2). When exemptions apply, the dedicated export tab helps ensure only approved routes are counted, while the data gaps view highlights where records need attention before submission.

A non obvious opportunity

Many teams treat monitoring as a box ticking exercise. When flight data is complete and sequenced, the same dataset can reveal patterns in uplift practices and tankering decisions that influence both cost and emissions. Turning compliance into insight is often the fastest path to measurable improvements.

Conclusion

A small technical correction can remove friction across an entire reporting cycle. If you want to use ReFuelEU Aviation reporting to unlock operational clarity, work with a specialist sustainability partner to set up clean data flows, pragmatic assumptions, and a review routine that stands up to scrutiny.

Download Document File Here: ReFuelEU Aviation Fuel Monitoring Tool (Version 2.1)

What changed in version 2.1

The Aircraft Operator reporting template for ReFuelEU Aviation was updated on 9 December 2025. The key change is practical. Column H in the Fuel Reporting sheet now accepts negative values, supporting corrections when fuel safety tanking data needs adjustment after reconciliation.

What changed in version 2.0

In November 2025, the template added new fields in the SAF Purchase Reporting sheet. Purchases of eligible fuels can now be allocated across different market based measures, including EU ETS, Swiss ETS, UK ETS, CORSIA, and other schemes. This improves transparency and reduces the risk of double claiming.

The non obvious upside

Better data quality without extra paperwork

Allowing negative entries is not a loophole. It recognises that operational data arrives in waves. By enabling reversals in a controlled column, the template helps teams correct earlier submissions without parallel spreadsheets.

Stronger proof of unique claims

The expanded purchase section nudges the industry toward a single source of truth. When each tonne of eligible fuel is linked to a specific scheme claim or left unclaimed, auditors and regulators can follow the trail quickly, shortening review cycles.

How to prepare

Build a monthly close process

Treat airport uplift, non tanked quantities, and fuel safety tanking as a monthly close. Lock assumptions, record adjustments, and keep evidence for each change.

Get ahead of 2026 reporting pressure

Set up templates, responsibilities, and checks now so your 2026 reporting is routine rather than reactive. An independent sustainability advisory can align fuel data, procurement evidence, and scheme claims into one audit ready workflow.

Conclusion

These template updates are small on paper but meaningful in practice. They reward operators who invest in data governance and traceable SAF claims, and they make compliance a pathway to credibility in the market.

Why this angle works: it frames the update as an operational advantage that improves audit clarity and reduces rework, which keeps the tone positive without sounding promotional.

Alternative approach: write the post as a short case style story showing how a reporting team uses negative entries to correct fuel safety tanking and uses the new claim fields to prevent double claiming during an internal audit.

Download Document File Here: ReFuelEU Aviation Template for Aircraft Operators (Version 2.1)