Energy Transition, Renewables, Hydrogen, Battery Metals
October 22, 2025
ET Highlights: US opposes IMO green goals, UN eases VCM rules, California hits EV sales record
Energy Transition Highlights: Our editors and analysts bring together the biggest stories in the industry this week, from renewables to storage to carbon prices.
Top story
IMO member states delay green bunker talks by a year amid US pressure
International Maritime Organization member states voted on Oct. 17 to delay regulatory talks for new decarbonization rules on marine energy by a year, faced with strong opposition from the US.
During an extraordinary session of the UN agency's Marine Environment Protection Committee, 57 countries supported Saudi Arabia's motion to adjourn the discussions on the Net-Zero Framework's adoption by a year, 49 voted no and 21 abstained. A simple majority of 54 votes were needed for the adjournment.
The IMO framework was designed to place a cost on greenhouse gas emissions from bunker fuels from 2028, but the delay of talks has put the timeline and the regulation itself in serious doubt.
Some supporters of the framework voiced concerns over the postponement, which could lead to prolonged uncertainty over shipping companies' fuel choices and bunker markets.
Price of the Week
$483.73/metric ton
The monthly average for delivered 0.5% sulfur fuel oil in Singapore in September, compared with $1,897.44/mtVLSFOe for 100% sustainable methanol.
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SPGlobal.com
US to investigate solar imports from India, Indonesia, Laos
The US Commerce Department has initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on solar cell and module imports from India, Indonesia and Laos at the request of a group of US manufacturers. Commerce will determine whether imports from the three countries are being dumped or unfairly subsidized, and the US International Trade Commission will assess whether the imports have caused injury to the US solar industry.
EC reallocates hydrogen funds as large-scale auction winners withdraw
The European Commission is reallocating funds from its first two renewable hydrogen subsidy auctions after the withdrawal of major winners from the first two rounds. Deutsche ReGas pulled its 210-MW H2-Hub Lubmin project in Germany from the second European Hydrogen Bank auction, while the 560-MW Zeevonk electrolyzer in the Netherlands and the 500-MW Catalina project in Spain also abandoned their EU funding.
Cathay Pacific, DHL expand SAF use in Asia through new cargo partnership
Cathay Pacific Airways and DHL Express have signed a cooperation agreement to expand sustainable aviation fuel production and uptake across Asia, marking the first SAF uplift on Air Hong Kong-operated flights. Under the agreement, Cathay will supply DHL with 2,400 mt of SAF for international cargo flights departing from Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita and Singapore Changi airports through 2025.
Platts Connect
US, petrostates band together for IMO showdown over green bunker rules
The US and a group of eight petrostates have made renewed attempts to thwart the International Maritime Organization’s new decarbonization rules, creating uncertainties in future bunker markets while readying themselves for a showdown in October.
Australia’s 2035 NDC rejig unclear amid persisting sluggishness in ACCU market: AER summit
A revision or rejig of Australia’s Nationally Determined Contribution for 2035, expected to be announced in September ahead of COP30, was unclear even as several participants were waiting for it to gauge market direction for ACCUs, sources told Platts on the sidelines of the Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit in Melbourne over Aug. 13-14.