The successful completion of Singapore’s first methanol bunkering pilot on Thursday (27 July) has given the republic a lead in adopting methanol as a marine fuel, believes the Chief Operating Officer at The Methanol Institute.

The milestone operation between a Maersk containership and Hong Lam Marine tanker MT Agility was the first in Asia to feature a methanol-fuelled containership, and not a commercial product carrier transporting methanol, highlighted Chris Chatterton.

“Methanol bunkering operations to refuel methanol product carriers have already been done numerous times at many ports,” he told Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“However, this marine refuelling pilot to a Maersk containership is remarkable and indicates Singapore will likely be a significant methanol bunkering hub in the future.

“Internationally, recent developments in Singapore demonstrate methanol is currently moving forward as an economical and viable alternative bunker fuel which will aid in the transition to cleaner shipping operations.”

Chatterton, who earlier stated 2022 to be “a significant turning point” for adoption of methanol as a bunker fuel due to developments led by A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, pointed out methanol dual fuel (DF) engine orders for newbuildings exceeded orders for LNG DF engines in June 2023.

In July, MAN Energy Solutions signed an agreement with containership owner and operator Seaspan Corporation in collaboration with global liner shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd for 15+45 methanol engine retrofit solutions.

To date, Clarksons Research data shows 135 methanol-fuelled vessels in the global orderbook with top five placements from Maersk, CMA CGM Evergreen, Express Feeders and COSCO.

“With more than 65% of these 135 methanol-fuelled newbuildings being containerships, there is a good chance a number of these vessels will be bunkering in Singapore,” he forecasts while adding “Singapore players have meanwhile been doing their due diligence preparing for such an event.”

In May, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) organised a Hazard Identification (HAZID) and Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) workshop to prepare for Singapore’s first methanol bunkering pilot.

The meeting was attended by over 40 participants from various methanol bunkering partners, such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, Maersk Oil Trading, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and Mitsui & Co. Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd. Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs Singapore, Ministry of Manpower, National Environment Agency, and Singapore Civil Defence Force were also present.

International laboratory testing services firm Eurofins in May expanded operations to include surveying, sampling and testing packages for methanol bunker fuel within its product portfolio.

The Methanol Institute (MI) in May published the first comprehensive guide to methanol as a marine fuel.

In April, Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd placed a newbuilding order for six 6,500 dwt IMO Type 2 bunker tankers. The newbuilds are also capable of delivering a wide variety of conventional marine fuels as well as sustainable green fuels including biofuel and methanol.

During Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2023), classification society DNV joined a working group on methanol bunkering, managed by the Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC-SDO).

Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading Pte Ltd, which has already finished the design phase for its methanol bunkering tanker, is planning to start bonded methanol bunkering operations at the republic in 2026.

In 2022, several players including PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Air Liquide, YTL PowerSeraya Pte. Limited, Oiltanking Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Kenoil Marine Services Pte Ltd, and A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start a ‘Green Methanol Value Chain Collaboration’ feasibility study project.

Related: Singapore bunkering sector enters milestone with first methanol marine refuelling op
Related: Methanol Institute: ‘Turning point’ for methanol as bunker fuel reached with A.P. Moller – Maersk leading change
Related: MAN ES in 15+45 methanol engine retrofit order with Hapag-Lloyd and Seaspan
Related: MPA organises workshop on safe handling of methanol bunker fuel in Singapore
Related: Singapore: Eurofins Mechem expands ops to include surveying, sampling and testing for methanol bunker fuel
Related: Methanol Institute publishes first complete guide to methanol as a marine fuel
Related: Consort Bunkers receives “Pearl Khaoyai”, prepares for IMO 2030/2050 with IMO Type 2 bunker tanker orders
Related: SMW 2023: DNV joins Standards working group on methanol bunkering
Related: Singapore: Golden Island begins fleetwide B30 biofuel bunker trial, starts tests with “Double Happiness”
Related: Singapore: Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading to start methanol bunkering operations at republic by 2026
Related: SNIC 2022: Kenoil shares green methanol bunkering endeavour and firm’s contribution to supply value chain
Related: Singapore: Players in feasibility study for first green e-methanol plant in S.E.A.

Photo credit: The Methanol Institute
Published: 28 July, 2023