Volvo Trucks announced May 18 that it will launch a 13-liter liquefied natural gas (LNG) engine – employing diesel fuel pilot injection – for North America trucks in 2014.

The Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA) ton May 18 announced that total retrofits of diesel emissions control devices in the U.S. in 2011 fell compared to 2010 and 2009, to 20,177.

John Deere announced May 16 that net income for its fiscal year (FY) second quarter (2Q) 2012 rose to US$1.056 billion, up from $904 million in FY 2Q 2011.

Mærsk Group announced May 16 that it posted a net profit of US$1.17 billion for first-quarter (1Q) 2012, up 1% from 1Q 2011.

China Yuchai on May 14 reported first-quarter (1Q) 2012 net earnings of RMB 167.9 million (US$26.7 million), down from RMB 230.5 million (US$36.4 million) in 1Q 2011.

Wärtsilä announced May 8 that it won a contract to supply a diesel/liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel powertrain for the “ECO2 Inland Vessel” project in Europe.

Singapore-based Neptune Orient Line (NOL) on May 9 announced a first-quarter (1Q) 2012 net loss of US$254 million, compared with a net loss of US$10 million 1Q 2011.

A new study by Jacobs Consultancy for the government of Alberta, Canada, raises doubts about European Union (EU) claims that oil-sands crudes (and products) necessarily have a higher net greenhouse gas (GHG) impact than other crude oils refined in Europe.

Global oil consumption is expected to rise by 0.8 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2012, to 90 million b/d, according to the latest International Energy Agency (IEA) monthly Oil Market Report (released May 11).

A “phase-two” feasibility study for the proposed US$2.7-billion, 1.4 million-ton-per-year, gas-to-liquids (GTL) fuels plant in Uzbekistan is expected to be completed by January 2013, with plant startup targeted for 2017.

New Mexico-based Applied Research Associates (ARA) announced May 14 that refinery technology provider Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) has joined ARA’s “ReadiJet” initiative to develop 100% hydrocarbon kero-jet and diesel fuels from vegetable oils.

Neste Oil announced May 15 that it’s expanding feedstocks for its “NExBTL” renewable diesel plant Singapore, this time using fish-fat production waste – which enables “renewable fuel standard” compliance under European Union (EU) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules.

The UOP division of Honeywell announced May 8 that it signed a license deal for the UOP/Eni “Ecofining” technology with Chicago-based Emerald Biofuels LLC.

U.S. truck fleet operators remain skeptical about the potential for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in long-range, heavy-duty trucking operations – even though U.S. natural gas prices currently are at historically low levels versus crude oil and U.S. diesel fuel retail prices.

Texas-based cellulosic biofuel producer KiOR announced May 14 that it posted a US$16.8 million net loss in first quarter (1Q) 2012, compared to a $13.4 million net loss in 1Q 2011.

U.S.-based diesel truckstop giant TravelCenters of America (TA) on May 7 announced a US$14.18-million net loss for first-quarter (1Q) 2012, an improvement over its $16.57-million net loss in 1Q 2011.

Florida-based international temporary power provider APR Energy announced May 8 that it won a contract with the Electric Authority of Cyprus (EAC) for the supply of 120 megawatts of temporary power.

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) prices in major spot and futures markets continued to slide last week – compared to the prior week – thanks to economic worries, especially in Europe.