Methanol

Methanol Institute: Progress in methanol integration across shipping and energy sectors (Week 47, 18 to 24 Nov 2024)

Plans for new fuel production across multiple global sites will feed expanded bunkering facilities with fuels able to be supplied to new global standards and for new dual fuel vessels built or retrofitted.

Published

2 years ago

November 28, 2024

Admin

The Methanol Institute, provides an exclusive weekly commentary on developments related to the adoption of methanol as a bunker fuel, including significant related events recorded during the week, for the readers of bunkering publication Manifold Times:

We know that the transition of the maritime industry to net zero carbon emissions requires an end to end approach across the value chain. This week provided evidence of the need to collaborate and co-ordinate in the supply chain from fuel production to cargo transport.

Plans for new fuel production across multiple global sites will feed expanded bunkering facilities with fuels able to be supplied to new global standards and consumed on new dual fuel vessels built or retrofitted for the purpose.

Methanol marine fuel related developments for Week 47 of 2024:

Maersk Completes First Methanol Retrofit of Large Containership, Expands Green Fleet

Date: November 18, 2024

Key Points:

AP Moller-Maersk has completed its first retrofit of a large containership, the Maersk Halifax, to dual-fuel methanol propulsion. The retrofit, carried out at the Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China, lasted 88 days and included expanding the vessel’s hull to accommodate larger fuel tanks, increasing its capacity from 15,000 TEU to 15,690 TEU.

The vessel successfully underwent sea trials and has resumed operations on the Trans-Pacific trade route. Maersk highlighted that retrofitting existing ships can complement newbuilds in transitioning to low-emission fuels, advancing the company’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. This retrofit serves as a pilot project, with Maersk planning to integrate lessons learned into future conversions of its fleet.

Chimbusco Pan Nation Partners with Towngas for Methanol Bunker Fuel Distribution in Hong Kong

Date: November 19, 2024

Key Points:

Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical Co, a leading marine fuel supplier, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Towngas) to develop the distribution of green methanol as a bunker fuel in Hong Kong. This collaboration will focus on supplying methanol produced by Towngas, which is certified under ISCC EU and ISCC Plus standards. The biomethanol is derived from biomass and municipal waste at a production facility in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.

This agreement aligns with Chimbusco Pan Nation’s long-term strategy to promote alternative marine fuels and enhance Hong Kong’s position as a green maritime hub. Calvin Chung Dik-hong, the company’s director, highlighted the importance of this partnership in advancing sustainable maritime initiatives.

Hong Kong Unveils Green Bunkering Action Plan with Methanol and LNG Initiatives

Date: November 19, 2024

Key Points:

Hong Kong has launched its “Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering,” targeting the development and adoption of alternative fuels, including methanol and LNG, as part of its maritime decarbonization efforts. The plan includes several key initiatives:

A pilot ship-to-ship LNG bunkering demonstration scheduled for early 2025.
A target for green fuels, including methanol and LNG, to constitute at least 200,000 metric tons of its annual fuel demand by 2030.
Reducing carbon emissions from Hong Kong-registered ships by at least 11% compared to 2019 levels.
Ensuring 55% of diesel-powered government vessels transition to green fuels by 2026.
Achieving a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals compared to 2021 levels.
Encouraging 7% of Hong Kong-registered ships to use green fuels by 2030.

The government will facilitate collaboration between mainland Chinese green fuel suppliers and shipping companies to establish a robust supply chain. This initiative aligns with global emission reduction targets set by the IMO, aiming to maintain Hong Kong as a centre for sustainable maritime practice.

ISO Introduces First International Standards for Methanol as Marine Fuel

Date: November 20, 2024

Key Points:

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has launched ISO 6853:2024, the first global standards for methanol used as a marine fuel. These specifications provide comprehensive guidelines for three methanol grades—MMA, MMB, and MMC—each tailored to meet the operational needs of maritime applications.

The standards address requirements for properties like lubricity, cleanliness, and tolerances. MMA includes stricter cleanliness requirements, while MMC offers broader tolerances to meet varied operational demands. Developed using International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association (IMPCA) guidelines as a baseline, the ISO 6853:2024 fills a critical gap in ensuring consistency and reliability for methanol in marine applications.

This milestone, led by ISO’s working group convened by Chevron’s Monique Vermeire, reflects the growing role of methanol in the decarbonization of maritime shipping. The standards aim to provide clarity for the industry as the adoption of methanol as an alternative fuel accelerates.

Methanol-Ready Vessel AAL Antwerp, Embarks on Maiden Voyage for AAL Shipping

Date: November 21, 2024

Key Points:

AAL Shipping’s newest methanol-ready vessel, AAL Antwerp, has set sail on its maiden voyage following a formal naming ceremony at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. The 32,000 DWT multipurpose heavy-lift vessel is part of AAL’s third-generation Super B-Class fleet, which includes eight ships designed to meet the demands of the multipurpose (MPP) heavy lift shipping sector.

The vessel joins sister ships AAL Limassol, AAL Hamburg, and AAL Houston in providing project cargo services across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. As AAL celebrates the halfway point of its latest fleet expansion program, the remaining four Super B-Class vessels, including AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai, will be delivered by 2026, offering increased heavy-lift capabilities of up to 800 tonnes

Liquid Wind Secures €44 Million to Advance eFuel Facility Development Worldwide

Date: November 21, 2024

Key Points:

Swedish eFuel developer Liquid Wind has raised €44 million in Series C financing, marking the largest investment in its history. The funding round, led by Uniper, HYCAP Fund I SCSp (HYCAP), and Samsung Ventures, will support the construction of 10 eFuel production facilities by 2027. This initiative is part of Liquid Wind’s broader vision of establishing 500 facilities globally by 2050.

Each standardized facility will produce up to 100,000 tons of eFuel annually by recycling 150,000 tons of carbon dioxide, aligning with the maritime industry’s demand for low-carbon fuels. This investment bolsters Liquid Wind’s capacity to accelerate production, address sustainability targets, and comply with new maritime fuel regulations.

Uniper, a key partner, highlighted their ongoing collaboration with Liquid Wind, including the NorthStarH2 eMethanol project in Östersund, Sweden. This project aims to produce 100,000 tons of eMethanol annually for the shipping and chemical industries. The partnership emphasizes Uniper’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.

Earlier this year, Liquid Wind collaborated with Alfa Laval, Carbon Clean, Siemens Energy, and Topsoe to establish an eFuel Design and Performance Centre in Denmark. This center focuses on innovating and streamlining the deployment of eFuel production plants, furthering Liquid Wind’s goal to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.

CSL Partnership Orders Two Methanol-Fueled Vessels for Offshore Wind Projects

Date: November 22, 2024

Key Points:

CSL OWL SRI, a new partnership between CSL and OWL, has placed an order for two subsea rock installation (SRI) vessels powered by dual-fuel methanol engines. These vessels, each with a capacity of 17,500 m³, are specifically designed to support the offshore wind energy sector.

Scheduled for delivery in August and November 2026, the vessels are engineered for efficiency and versatility, capable of performing subsea rock installations at depths of up to 100 meters. This development marks a significant step forward in integrating sustainable fuel technology into specialized maritime operations.

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 28 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Antwerp-Bruges biofuel bunker sales drops 36% on year in Q2 2026, LNG down 13.4%

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt recorded in the same period the year before while port data showed 76,513 mt of LNG being delivered in Q2 2026, down from 88,328 mt.

Published

7 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges recently published bunker fuel sales data for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

Total bunker sales at the port was 2.05 million metric tonnes (mt) in Q2 2026, compared to sales of 1.99 million mt (+3%) during the similar period in 2025.

Deliveries of ultra low sulphur fuel oil, very low sulphur fuel oil, high sulphur fuel oil and marine gas oil in Q2 2026 (against on year) recorded respectively 164,987 mt (+43.6% from 114,917 mt), 537,926 mt (+12.8% from 476,746 mt), 659,182 mt (+11.6% from 590,544 mt) and 366,329 (-15.7% from 434,766 mt).

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt (-36%) recorded in the same period the year before.

Port data showed 76,513 mt of liquefied natural gas (LNG) being delivered as a marine fuel in Q2 2026, down by 13.4% from 88,328 mt in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, there has been no deliveries of methanol at the port for the year so far.

Photo credit: Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Published: 23 July, 2026

Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

Published

1 day ago

July 22, 2026

Admin

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai.

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers.

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation.

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator.

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations.

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

Published

3 days ago

July 20, 2026

Admin

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually.

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026