Maersk boxship receives OCI Global methanol bunker fuel at Port of Rotterdam

Dutch methanol producer OCI Global on Tuesday (29 August) said the world’s first ever green methanol-powered container vessel, which is owned by Maersk, received methanol bunker fuel from OCI Global in the Port of Rotterdam. 

“This marks the final stop on the ship’s pioneering maiden voyage before it reaches home in Copenhagen, having sailed along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, from Korea, via Singapore and the Suez Canal before reaching Europe,” it said in an emailed statement to Manifold Times. 

The 172-meter-long vessel is embarking on her maiden voyage after leaving Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea to Copenhagen where it will formally receive its name during a ceremony at Toldboden, next to the Maersk headquarter. The ship’s maiden voyage has marked milestones in bunkering operations for many ports including Singapore.

OCI Global added it was the first ever green methanol bunkering operation in Europe. 

“The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and bunker hub, making this an important milestone in the future decarbonisation of European shipping and supply chains,” it said. 

OCI Global’s renewable and low carbon fuels brand, OCI HyFuels, has worked with partners across the value chain to exclusively supply the world-first green methanol powered containership throughout its maiden voyage. 

“The ship’s journey has also provided the opportunity to develop and share bunkering guidelines among the global ports involved that will help form a framework for future green methanol powered ships,” the firm said. 

OCI Global said it has a longstanding partnership with the Port of Rotterdam, working together on a number of decarbonisation initiatives. 

OCI Global operates the Port of Rotterdam’s only ammonia import terminal, which it is in the process of expanding to triple its throughput capacity, in anticipation of growing demand for ammonia as cleaner fuel for hard-to-abate sectors, including as a future marine fuel. 

Earlier this year, OCI also announced its partnership with Unibarge to develop the world’s first dual-fueled bunker barge powered by green methanol, which will be deployed at the Port of Rotterdam next year.

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Photo credit: Port of Rotterdam
Published: 30 August, 2023