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China: Guangdong Liquid Sunshine to build plant to produce biomethanol bunker fuel

Company has selected Johnson Matthey as a technology partner for its first commercial-scale project – a biomethanol plant planned in Tiandong County, Guangxi.

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Guangzhou-based low-carbon chemical product producer Guangdong Liquid Sunshine will build its first commercial-scale biomethanol plant in Tiandong County, Guangxi Province, according to UK technology firm Johnson Matthey on Monday (27 April). 

Guangdong Liquid Sunshine has selected Johnson Matthey (JM) as a technology partner which will supply its methanol synthesis technology to convert gasified biomass waste into biomethanol, supporting the growing demand for low-carbon marine fuel.

When complete, the first phase of the plant – with construction expected to begin later this year- will achieve an annual production capacity of 75,000 metric tonnes (mt) of biomethanol.

If approved, a second phase will see an additional plant use the excess carbon dioxide from the first plant. It will be combined with electrolytic hydrogen to produce e-methanol which can be used to help meet e-fuel mandates, including those in Europe. 

This will increase the capacity for low carbon methanol production at the site without the need to use additional biomass feedstock.  

 JM’s methanol technology converts syngas from different feedstock sources, including waste biomass, into methanol. Already proven at scale, JM’s industry-leading technology delivers enhanced long-term operational performance by combining its proprietary methanol synthesis loop with a high-performance catalyst. 

Alberto Giovanzana, CEO of Catalyst Technologies, Johnson Matthey, said:  “Johnson Matthey has worked in China for more than 30 years with the country’s largest, most successful energy and chemical producers. We’re excited to be a part of Liquid Sunshine’s plans and this project represents our second green methanol plant license win in China. 

“Our world-leading methanol synthesis technology will play an increasingly vital role as the site eventually integrates biomethanol with e-methanol production. Once operational, this refinery will help meet the growing demand for fuel and energy security in the marine industry.” 

Xi Jiang, Executive President of Liquid Sunshine, said: “The renewable energy and chemical industries are entering a critical phase of accelerated growth here in China. We are delighted to have JM’s technical expertise on board, as we develop a world-class biomethanol plant.

“For us, this collaboration marks an important starting point for deeper partnerships with global technology leaders, such as JM, enabling both parties to actively explore domestic and international green energy markets and foster innovation.”

 The project will be led by Guangdong Liquid Sunshine, jointly constructed with the Tiandong County People’s Government and China Coal Guangxi New Energy, while ECEC will also act as a key project partner in engineering.

 

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 29 April, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Mureloil deploys hybrid chemical tanker for bunkering and terminal transport

After its delivery, the ship carried out its first commercial operations in the ports of Bilbao and Mugardos before being deployed to Barcelona where it will operate over the coming months.

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Mureloil deploys hybrid chemical tanker for bunkering and terminal transport

Spanish bunker service provider Mureloil on Saturday (28 February) said it has deployed Bahía Candela, a next-generation hybrid chemical tanker, for operations. 

The vessel is specifically designed for bunkering operations and terminal-to-terminal fuel transport. 

After its delivery, the ship carried out its first commercial operations in the ports of Bilbao and Mugardos. The tanker then stopped in Algeciras before starting its journey to Barcelona, where it will operate over the coming months. 

The Bahía Candela is the first of two sister vessels, with the second named Bahía Beatriz, both of which will be operated by Repsol as part of its maritime decarbonisation strategy to develop low-carbon fuel logistics including methanol and biofuels. 

Building on the success of Bahía Levante, the new vessel features a diesel-electric propulsion system combined with 4.2 MW of lithium-ion batteries, enabling fully electric port operations for up to 72 hours—including cargo handling and manoeuvring—with zero direct GHG emissions.

Related: Mureloil launches hybrid chemical tanker for bunkering and terminal transport

 

Photo credit: Mureloil
Published: 12 June, 2026

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Methanol

Agastya inks MoU with Andhra Pradesh to develop green methanol hub at Mulapeta Port

Project will establish a 1 MMTPA green methanol export-oriented unit on the East Coast of India, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a global hub for sustainable bunker fuels and green industrial products.

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Agastya inks MoU with Andhra Pradesh to develop green methanol hub at Mulapeta Port

India’s clean energy conglomerate Agastya Group recently said it has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the development of Agastya’s green fuels hub at Mulapeta Port, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh.

The project will establish a 1 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA) green methanol export-oriented unit (EOU) on the East Coast of India, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a global hub for sustainable marine fuels and green industrial products.

With an estimated investment of over ₹54,000 Crore (USD 6.5 billion), the Agastya Green Fuels Hub will integrate large-scale green hydrogen production, green methanol manufacturing, carbon capture, renewable energy, and port infrastructure.

“Strategically located in the Indian Ocean Region, the facility will serve key global markets including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Europe, and other emerging green shipping corridors, supporting the decarbonization of international maritime transport and industrial sectors,” the firm said. 

The company added that the project represents a transformational step toward making India a net exporter of RFBNO RED III compliant green methanol to the world. 

Manifold Times previously reported Agastya Green Fuels signing a long-term green methanol offtake agreement with Sri Lankan bunker supplier SAR Maritime Agencies, a SAR Group company, for the supply of 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) per annum of EU RFNBO RED III Compliant green methanol.

Related: India’s Agastya inks green methanol offtake agreement with SAR Group

 

Photo credit: Agastya Group
Published: 11 June, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Seascale Energy and LR Advisory team up on low-carbon bunker fuels and decarbonisation

Bunker procurement firm entered into a strategic knowledge partnership with LR Advisory, focused on low-carbon fuels, FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS and IMO decarbonisation measures.

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Seascale Energy and LR Advisory team up on low-carbon bunker fuels and decarbonisation

Seascale Energy, a bunker procurement joint venture of Cargill’s Pure Marine Fuels and Hafnia’s Bunker Alliance, on Thursday (4 June) said it is continuing to strengthen its decarbonisation capabilities in response to the rapidly evolving fuel and regulatory landscape shaping global shipping.

Since its launch in May 2025, Seascale has facilitated several fuel transactions involving LNG, biofuels across various blends and green methanol demonstrating its ability to support customers beyond conventional bunker procurement, and also with emerging low- and zero-carbon fuel solutions.

To further reinforce this expertise, Seascale has entered into a strategic knowledge partnership with Lloyd’s Register Advisory (LR Advisory), focused on low-carbon fuels, FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, IMO decarbonisation measures and the practical commercial implications of the energy transition.

As part of the first phase of the collaboration, LR Advisory recently delivered two dedicated training workshops for global Seascale teams across in both Europe and Asia, bringing together commercial and operational colleagues in both Geneva and Singapore.

The sessions focused on the evolving regulatory framework, biofuels as marine fuels, FuelEU pooling strategies, chain-of-custody requirements, emissions accounting and future fuel readiness.

The workshops also explored the realities of sourcing and managing alternative fuels, including compliance documentation, lifecycle emissions reporting and commercial risk considerations associated with biofuel adoption and emerging fuel markets. Particular attention was given to the growing importance of FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS in shaping procurement strategies and voyage economics.

The collaboration forms part of Seascale’s broader ambition to provide its members with credible, technically grounded guidance as maritime faces increasingly complex environmental regulations and fuel pathways.

Looking ahead, Seascale and Lloyd’s Register Advisory are exploring opportunities to extend elements of this knowledge-sharing initiative externally through dedicated client webinars and market-focused sessions. The objective is to help customers better understand the operational, commercial and regulatory implications of the maritime energy transition while supporting informed fuel procurement and compliance strategies.

Separately, Seascale Energy and Lloyd’s Register are also collaborating on the Bunkering Services Initiative (BSI), a technology-enabled, independently audited framework that promotes transparency in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region.

Related: Singapore-based Hafnia and Cargill launch bunker procurement JV Seascale Energy
Related: Seascale Energy procures green methanol bunker fuel for bulker “Brave Pioneer”

 

Photo credit: Seascale Energy
Published: 8 June, 2026

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