Ports of Bremen methanol-ready after establishing regulated bunkering procedure

Management company bremenports recently announced that ports of Bremen are now “methanol-ready” after developing a clearly regulated procedure for authorising bunkering operations in the ports of Bremen. 

“Now that the bunkering of LNG has been possible since 2015, Bremen’s ports are now also methanol-ready,” said Kristina Vogt, Senator for Economic Affairs, Ports and Transformation.

“With the regulations now clear, we are well positioned and Bremen also has the best structural prerequisites: There is already methanol-capable storage capacity on the Weser, bunker suppliers in Bremerhaven are looking into expanding, and several companies are involved in the production of green methanol. A lot is happening in this area – and Bremen is at the forefront.”

However, bremenports said in order to enable the use of more climate-friendly types of propulsion, it is not only the shipowners who are called upon, but in particular the ports, which ultimately have to make reliable, safe bunkering of these fuels possible.

This was precisely what has been achieved with a clearly regulated procedure for authorising bunkering operations in the ports of Bremen, said bremenports.

“When bunkering fuels with a flash point below 55 degrees Celsius – including methanol and LNG, for example – a number of safety aspects must be taken into account,” said port captain Stephan Berger.

“With the clear instructions that we have now issued, shipowners and all other parties involved now know exactly how and when to do what in order to enable the smooth bunkering of alternative fuels.”

Meanwhile, Robert Howe, Managing Director of bremenports, said:  “We are supporting and promoting the use of new low-carbon fuels in shipping – this is ultimately active climate protection.”

“The aim must be to enable universal bunkering in our universal ports – regardless of whether methanol, LNG, ammonia or, in future, green hydrogen is pumped into the ship’s tanks. The fact that we already have clear process plans and regulations for LNG and methanol is a very good step in the right direction.”

Photo credit: bremenports
Published: 11 March, 2025