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Proman Stena Bulk names methanol-fuelled tanker “Stena Pro Marine” in New Orleans

Naming ceremony was the first for a methanol-fuelled vessel in the Port of New Orleans, and in the wider US Gulf Coast region; ship consumes 12,500 tonnes of methanol bunker fuel annually.
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Proman Stena Bulk, the joint venture between leading tanker company Stena Bulk and the leading methanol producer Proman, on Wednesday (25 October) said it has formally christened its methanol-fuelled 49,900 DWT tanker Stena Pro Marine. 

The ceremony took place at the Port of New Orleans on 24 October, and marked another significant milestone for the methanol-fuelled joint venture fleet.

The naming ceremony was the first for a methanol-fuelled vessel in the Port of New Orleans, and in the wider US Gulf Coast region.

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David Cassidy, Chief Executive of Proman, said: “Stena Pro Marine has already proven to be a significant addition to our fleet since its delivery in the middle of last year.”

“Given the region’s importance to global energy supplies, we are thrilled to name this vessel in New Orleans, and this event provides us with a wonderful opportunity to gather with partners, friends, and industry leaders and reaffirm our commitment to supporting and enabling a sustainable shipping industry.”

Erik Hånell, President and CEO of Stena Bulk, added: “The naming ceremony for Stena Pro Marine comes as yet another marker on our shared journey with Proman to prove the viability of methanol as a marine fuel. By gathering in New Orleans, a key hub on the US Gulf Coast, we show to US and global shipping that methanol is technically feasible as a marine fuel today. We look forward to furthering our collective vision for methanol within the maritime industry.”

The city was chosen for the naming ceremony because of its strategic position on the US Gulf Coast. New Orleans was the natural choice for the ceremony, reflecting the importance of the port city to the JV partners, the firm added.

Stena Bulk has a long-standing presence in the US and in Houston. Proman has significant methanol storage and transport operations along the Mississippi River, as well as production facilities in development in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and methanol plants in Pampa and Beaumont, Texas.

Attendees of the naming ceremony were addressed by David Cassidy, Proman’s Chief Executive, and Erik Hånell, President & CEO of Stena Bulk. The ceremony concluded with a customary champagne christening, during which Mrs. Katarina Hånell was honoured as the vessel’s godmother.

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Delivered in mid-2022, Stena Pro Marine is a 49,990 DWT dual-fuel mid-range (MR) tanker. The vessel was constructed at Guangzhou Shipyard International Co Ltd (GSI) in China. The ship has been in full-time operation since its delivery and consumes 12,500 tonnes of methanol annually.

Given the Port of New Orleans’ standing as a leading US cruise port, and close proximity to the city, the ceremony also offered an opportunity to highlight the potential to substantially mitigate local air pollution, offering a technology-proven and sustainable solution for the high volume of cruise and cargo traffic.

These reductions mean that the Proman Stena Bulk vessels are able to meet both long-term decarbonisation ambitions with near-term local pollutant reduction, directly benefitting communities such as those living and working around the Port of New Orleans.

The large volume of methanol storage and production facilities in the Houston and Louisiana region also offer access to storage, and substantial volumes of methanol; underscoring the opportunity for the region to become a major methanol as a marine fuel hub.

Earlier this year, Proman Stena Bulk successfully completed the first ever barge-to-ship methanol bunkering on the US Gulf Coast, showcasing the practicality and relevance of methanol as a viable marine fuel option.

Related: Proman Stena Bulk completes US Gulf Coast’s first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering

Photo credit: Proman
Published: 26 October, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

Wah Kwong subsidiary appoints Nordic Green Biotrading as European distributor

Nordic Green will have the exclusive right to market, promote, and distribute Venture Energy’s supply of RED Advanced bio-methanol and RFNBO-methanol across the EEA, UK, and Switzerland.
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June 17, 2026

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Wah Kwong subsidiary appoints Nordic Green Biotrading as European distributor

Venture Energy, a sustainable fuels supplier headquartered in Hong Kong, recently announced the signing of a Distribution Agreement with Nordic Green Biotrading ApS (Nordic Green), appointing the Danish company as its exclusive distributor of renewable methanol across the EEA, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

The move marked a key step in expanding Venture Energy’s next-generation marine fuels platform into the European market.

Venture Energy is a subsidiary of Hong Kong shipowner Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, focusing on the procurement and trading of clean fuels.

Under the agreement, Nordic Green will have the exclusive right to market, promote, and distribute Venture Energy’s supply of RED Advanced bio-methanol (bio-methanol) and RFNBO-methanol (e-methanol) throughout the Territory.

“We are delighted to formalise our longstanding collaboration with Nordic Green as our strategic distribution partner in Europe, extending the breadth and quality of our downstream coverage for our supplier network and developing the profile of high-quality renewable methanol producers in the European market.” said Gregor McMillan, Executive Director of Venture Energy.

Deepak Devendrappa, General Manager of Venture Energy, said: “Nordic Green’s track record in local distribution, deep market knowledge, and strong customer relationships across the region’s core bio-blending and chemical sectors make them the ideal partner to bring our ISCC-certified renewable methanol to our customers in the territory. 

“This agreement is another step in the road for Venture Energy as we act on Wah Kwong’s commitment to supporting the energy transition with reliable, sustainable fuel solutions.”

The distribution agreement covers sales within the dutiable area of the EEA, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Venture Energy will continue to market directly into the marine bunkering segment.

Bo Gleerup, representing Nordic Green, added: “This exclusive partnership represents a significant milestone for Nordic Green. Being able to sell Venture Energy’s high-quality, certified, renewable methanol volumes from a range of bio-methanol and e-methanol producers, complement our existing supply network for European road-fuel and chemical producers. This fresh focus allows us to offer some of the most competitive products coming into the market today. We look forward to working closely

with our colleagues at Venture Energy to develop this collaboration and deliver value to our shared customers across the territory.”

Related: Wah Kwong launches clean fuels procurement and trading subsidiary Venture Energy
Related: Wah Kwong clean fuels trading subsidiary and Shenji Energy ink green methanol supply deal

 

Photo credit: Venture Energy
Published: 17 June, 2026

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Hydrogen

LH2 Shipping wins Enova funding for two more liquid hydrogen-powered bulk carriers

Company secured USD 36 million for the development and construction of two additional liquid hydrogen-powered bulk carriers.

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June 17, 2026

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LH2 Shipping wins Enova funding for two more liquid hydrogen-powered bulk carriers

Norway’s LH2 Shipping on Tuesday (16 June) said it has been awarded Enova support of NOK 344.3 million (USD 36 million) for the development and construction of two additional liquid hydrogen-powered bulk carriers.

With the latest award, LH2 Shipping is now involved in the development of six hydrogen-powered bulk carrier projects. The announcement builds on previous Enova-supported vessel initiatives and reflects growing momentum for liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel alternative for short-sea shipping to meet decarbonising policy goals.

The new projects represent a continuation of LH2 Shipping’s long-term strategy to establish commercially viable hydrogen-powered vessels while contributing to the development of the supporting fuel and bunkering infrastructure required for large-scale adoption.

“This award is an important strategic milestone for LH2 Shipping,” stated Ivan Østvik, CEO of LH2 Shipping. 

“It strengthens our position as a developer of liquid hydrogen-based zero-emission vessel solutions and brings us yet another step closer to our ambition of enabling a substantial fleet of hydrogen-powered vessels that can help establish a complete maritime liquid hydrogen value chain.”

Since introducing the world’s first hydrogen-powered bulk carrier projects, LH2 Shipping has focused on moving beyond demonstration concepts toward commercially deployable vessels. The addition of vessels five and six further expands the project portfolio and supports continued industrial learning across ship design, fuel systems, operations, and infrastructure.

The Enova support will indirectly enable LH2 Shipping to continue their work developing additional zero-emission solutions for passenger transport and offshore operations, supporting Norway’s broader transition toward a low-emission maritime sector.

“If we are to succeed in the transition to low and zero emission solutions in the maritime sector, we depend on players who dare to go first. LH2 Shipping shows how shipping companies can take the lead and adopt new technology. This is crucial to accelerating development and reducing emissions from shipping,” said Head of Hydrogen and Ammonia Initiatives, Elin Ulstad Stokland at Enova.

This latest Enova award brings total support for the six vessels to more than NOK 800 million and reinforces the momentum behind hydrogen-powered shipping in Norway. Through these projects, LH2 Shipping is offering ship operators to decarbonise bulk transport at scale while contributing to the development of the infrastructure and experience needed for wider industry adoption.

 

Photo credit: LH2 Shipping
Published: 17 June, 2026

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Methanol

China: Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

Company says commissioning of “Zhong Ran LV Neng 85” will further enhance its service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports.
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June 16, 2026

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Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco) recently took delivery of its first bunkering vessel in China to deliver methanol to dual-fuel ships.

The 8,500-dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tanker Zhong Ran LV Neng 85 was successfully delivered in Zhoushan.

The company said the commissioning of this new ship will further enhance Chimbusco’s service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports and expand its national marine new energy service and support network

During the delivery period, Chimbusco said it focused on safe operations and conducted special training for all crew members of the vessel.

The training covered methanol bunkering operation specifications, prevention of collisions between commercial and fishing vessels, daily vessel reporting, and voyage report filling standards.

Manifold Times previously reported the launching of the bunkering vessel at Taizhou Fangzhen Shipbuilding Wharf in Zhejiang.

The floating out of the ship comes after Chimbusco has obtained methanol bunkering licences for Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port.

Related: Chimbusco launches new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhejiang

 

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco)
Published: 16 June, 2026

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