China introduces country’s first marine methanol bunkering standards
- Published
by Admin
China Petroleum Circulation Association (CPCA) and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) recently released two group standards: “Marine Methanol Fuel Waterborne Refuelling Regulations” and “Marine Methanol Fuel”, according to China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co., Ltd. (Chimbusco) on Thursday (28 September).
Chimbusco, the firm which initiated the standards, said this was the first set of standards in China for methanol refuelling operations and quality control, which fills a gap in the domestic market.
The introduction took place at the Green Methanol Refuelling Capacity Building Conference during the Global Sustainable Transportation Forum and the 15th International Exhibition on Transportation Technology & Equipment.
Meanwhile, China Classification Society (CCS) and Bureau Veritas (BV) issued Approval in Principles (AIPs) for a 7,800-tonne dual-fuel powered green methanol bunkering vessel to Chimbusco and Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry.
“The vessel is also a new type of green methanol bunkering vessel that has obtained certificates from two classification societies simultaneously, setting a solid technical foundation for massive production in the future,” Chimbusco said.
“The release of these standards, along with the approval of the 7,800-tonne dual-fuel powered green methanol bunkering vessel by two classification societies, signifies a major step towards completing the first green methanol refueling technology chain in China.”
Chimbusco added the achievement is complemented by the establishment of relevant methanol refueling guidelines and inspection specifications by CCS and BV.
Alex Gregg-Smith, Senior Vice President of BV, emphasised that this vessel is the first of its kind designed in China and represents a significant milestone in the shipping industry’s decarbonisation efforts, while demonstrates promising progress in the construction of the methanol supply chain.
Zhao Yan, Vice President of CCS, said the green methanol bunkering vessel has been designed with the concept of “full life cycle”.
It features twin engines and twin oars, a domestically made four-stroke methanol dual-fuel main engine, a liquid cargo pump in the form of a machine belt, a pre-installed berthing perception system, and a remote-control refuelling arm operation system.
“These advanced technologies showcase the industry’s cutting-edge advancements and highlight the ship’s green, intelligent, and digital characteristics,” Zhao Yan said.
Manifold Times previously reported Chimbusco releasing the first draft of Code of Practice for Marine Methanol Bunkering on the China National Institute of Standardisation website for feedback from the bunkering industry.
The draft outlined a comprehensive guide for methanol bunkering operations, safety procedures, and streamlining, standardising and tabulating the risk assessment of bunkering.
Related: China: Chimbusco releases methanol bunkering code of practice draft to industry
Related: CSSC receives CCS AiP for China’s first truck-to-ship methanol bunkering safety measures
Photo credit: Chimbusco
Published: 3 October, 2023
