Methanol

Cepsa and A.P. Moller-owned C2X to develop the largest green methanol plant in Europe

Both announced a joint project to provide green methanol for multiple industries including shipping by developing a green methanol plant in the port of Huelva, southern Spain.

Published

1 year ago

December 4, 2023

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Cepsa and A.P. Moller-owned C2X to develop the largest green methanol plant in Europe

Cepsa, which is owned by Mubadala and Carlyle, and C2X, an independent company majority owned by A.P. Moller Holding with A.P. Moller – Maersk as minority owner, on Friday (1 December) announced a joint project to provide green methanol for multiple industries including shipping by developing a green methanol plant in the port of Huelva, southern Spain.

The project’s aim is to reach an estimated annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes of green methanol, which Cepsa calculates would prevent the emission of up to 1 million tonnes of CO2. The plant would have the capacity to reach a maximum production of 380,000 tonnes. A final investment decision for this project, which would entail an investment of up to EUR 1 billion (USD 1.08 billion), is expected to be made in 2025.

If approved, the project has the opportunity to create 2,500 direct and indirect jobs, further supporting the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley being developed by Cepsa and its partners with an ambition to reach a green hydrogen production capacity of 2GW by 2030. Some of the green hydrogen produced will supply the new green methanol facility.

The project will place Andalusia as one of the most competitive locations globally for the production and transportation of green molecules thanks to its renewable electricity capacity and industrial and port infrastructure, positioning Spain as a leading sustainable energy hub and securing independent and affordable clean energy for Europe.

The project was presented at COP28 in Dubai with the participation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez; Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera; Brian Davis, CEO C2X; and Maarten Wetselaar, CEO Cepsa.

Cepsa CEO Maarten Wetselaar, said: “This partnership is another milestone in our strategy to make Spain a European hub for green molecules this decade, with viable projects to reduce emissions in sectors that are difficult and urgent to decarbonise. We will work with the Spanish government to develop the regulatory framework needed for this project to be successful and scalable.”

C2X CEO Brian Davis, said: “We see a growing demand for green methanol to help industries like shipping, aviation and chemicals move away from fossil-carbon based alternatives. While this project has strong fundamentals it will need an enabling framework in order to offer a competitive source of green methanol to its target customers. We look forward to working with Cepsa and the Spanish government as we develop the project.”

The partnership between Cepsa and C2X follows a protocol of collaboration agreed between A.P. Moller - Maersk and the government of Spain in November 2022 to explore the possibilities of producing green fuels in the country. This partnership is also in line with the declarations made at governmental level by Spain and Denmark to increase their bilateral cooperation in green energy transition.

Manifold Times previously reported C2X announcing it was moving forward in the development of its second production site.

C2X said it has successfully concluded the first phase to secure the concession for a 47ha large site for green methanol production within the Port of Huelva, Southern Spain.

Photo credit: Cepsa
Published: 4 December, 2023

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: GCMD develops calculator to explore IMO GFI-linked pricing system

Free cost and compliance calculator has been developed by its team based on the newly approved GHG emissions pricing framework by IMO’s MPEC 83 recently.

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2025

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Singapore: GCMD develops calculator to explore IMO GFI-linked pricing system

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Tuesday (15 April) introduced a free cost and compliance calculator that has been developed by its team based on the newly approved greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing framework by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MPEC 83).

The calculator will help maritime stakeholders explore how the two-tiered, GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI)-linked pricing system could impact operational costs.

GCMD said the buzz around International Maritime Organization's MEPC 83 and the newly approved GHG emissions pricing framework has been intense — and understandably so.

“To help make sense of it, our CEO Prof. Lynn Loo started with handwritten trajectory calculations to break down the core workings,” it said in a social media post.

“Building on that, our team has developed a simple, accessible cost and compliance calculator to help you explore how the two-tiered, GFI-linked pricing system could impact operational costs.”

The calculator is just one input—its results should be considered alongside other economic and operational factors to inform commercial decisions.

The tool covers covers heavy fuel oil (HFO), liquified natural gas (LNG), B24 biofuel, e-ammonia and bio-methanol.

“Whether you're assessing fuel options, planning newbuilds, or just trying to get a feel for what this might mean for your operations — this tool offers a useful first-cut view. For added clarity, we’ve included the workings on the side so you can trace the calculation process,” GCMD added.

Note: GCMD’s cost and compliance calculator can be found here.

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 16 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

4.47 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in March, up from 4.45 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA data.

Published

3 days ago

April 15, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 0.5% on year in March 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.47 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,469,170 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in March, up from 4.45 million mt (4,445,070 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in March (against on year) recorded respectively 1.62 million mt (+0.6% from 1.61 million mt), 2.33 million mt (-3.7% from 2.42 million mt), 500 mt (+100% from zero), 100 mt (-98% from 5,100 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in March (against on year) recorded respectively 51,900 mt (+100% from zero), 93,700 mt (+42% from 66,000 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). A new addition of biofuel blend, introduced in February this year, B100, recorded no sales in March.

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 39,000 mt (+1% from 38,600) and zero (from zero).

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 March, 2025

Events

Maritime Week Americas to assess how US policy changes will impact bunkering

Event, taking place in May, will try to assess how US policy changes will impact the day-to-day business of shipping and bunkering, as well as the maritime industry’s shift towards a zero carbon future.

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2025

Admin

Maritime Week Americas to assess how US policy changes will impact bunkering

Maritime Week Americas is coming to the United States amid the trade mayhem and turmoil and will try to assess how US policy changes will impact the day-to-day business of shipping and bunkering, as well as the maritime industry’s shift towards a zero carbon future.

President Donald Trump has wasted no time in overturning the status quo and injecting massive uncertainty into every aspect of world trade, said ship.energy.

With the dust still nowhere near settling, there is no telling when the chaos will end or what the energy, shipping and bunker markets will look like in a month or year from now.

Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO of ship.energy, founder and organiser of Maritime Week Americas, said: “There is no doubt that the conversations at MWA25 will be livelier that ever as delegates battle to come to terms with a completely new world order. What all this turmoil means to shipping and bunkering, let alone to global, regional, and national economies, will be the question that everyone joining us in Tampa will be asking. Hopefully by the end of the event we will have some answers.”

Maritime Week Americas is always where the key questions are raised and answers are sought. With vigorous debate and frank discussion, well over 250 bunker buyers, suppliers and traders will gather in Tampa for an intense week that includes training, the MWA25 Flagship Conference, and – as always – some unmissable networking.

MWA25 will look at shipping and bunker markets throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, examining traditional bunker markets and the ‘new’ fuels whose take-up is rapidly picking up pace. But can the same be said now for the United States?

Traditional marine fuels are still the mainstay throughout the Americas. The conference will examine fuel quality and quantity issues and take a close look at what is happening in some of the continent’s more active markets, such as Peru and Panama.

There LNG is now a mainstream marine fuel as its availability grows throughout the Americas, with Panama among the newest supply hubs. But is there potential for a backlash over LNG’s green credentials?

Biofuels are also on a fast upward trajectory, with Brazil and other countries now leading the way. But while LNG and biofuels look set to play a key role in fuelling ships for the foreseeable future, other fuels, such as methanol, ammonia and hydrogen may not be too far behind. These, and the full range of alternative fuels will be examined in depth during the MWA Conference.

More ports are now beginning to appreciate the environmental benefits of making shore power available to visiting vessels, with some – such as Miami – currently assessing the benefits of installing electric power facilities and others – such as Seattle – already planning to mandate cold ironing for cruise ships visiting the port. At the same time, more electric-powered vessels are beginning to appear, with Canada’s Montreal and Vancouver currently leading the way with new electric ferries. Meanwhile, the world’s biggest electric-powered ferry is expected to start operating between Buenos Aires in Argentina and Colonia in Uruguay by mid-2025.

For the first time, Maritime week Americas will include an entire session focused on Jamaica, an island determined to revitalise and boost its shipping, maritime and bunkering activities.

As always, MWA25 will feature some exciting networking events, designed to highlight the new venue and to ensure that the delegates take every opportunity to network.

Note: More information on Maritime Week Americas can be found here.

Photo credit: Petrospot
Published: 11 April, 2025