Methanol

China introduces country’s first marine methanol bunkering standards

Two China-based associations officially released two group standards, initiated by Chimbusco: ‘Marine Methanol Fuel Waterborne Refuelling Regulations’ and ‘Marine Methanol Fuel’.

Published

1 year ago

October 3, 2023

Admin

China Petroleum Circulation Association (CPCA) and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) recently released two group standards: "Marine Methanol Fuel Waterborne Refuelling Regulations" and "Marine Methanol Fuel”, according to China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co., Ltd. (Chimbusco) on Thursday (28 September).

Chimbusco, the firm which initiated the standards, said this was the first set of standards in China for methanol refuelling operations and quality control, which fills a gap in the domestic market.

The introduction took place at the Green Methanol Refuelling Capacity Building Conference during the Global Sustainable Transportation Forum and the 15th International Exhibition on Transportation Technology & Equipment.

Meanwhile, China Classification Society (CCS) and Bureau Veritas (BV) issued Approval in Principles (AIPs) for a 7,800-tonne dual-fuel powered green methanol bunkering vessel to Chimbusco and Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry.

“The vessel is also a new type of green methanol bunkering vessel that has obtained certificates from two classification societies simultaneously, setting a solid technical foundation for massive production in the future,” Chimbusco said.

“The release of these standards, along with the approval of the 7,800-tonne dual-fuel powered green methanol bunkering vessel by two classification societies, signifies a major step towards completing the first green methanol refueling technology chain in China.”

Chimbusco added the achievement is complemented by the establishment of relevant methanol refueling guidelines and inspection specifications by CCS and BV.

Alex Gregg-Smith, Senior Vice President of BV, emphasised that this vessel is the first of its kind designed in China and represents a significant milestone in the shipping industry's decarbonisation efforts, while demonstrates promising progress in the construction of the methanol supply chain.

Zhao Yan, Vice President of CCS, said the green methanol bunkering vessel has been designed with the concept of "full life cycle".

It features twin engines and twin oars, a domestically made four-stroke methanol dual-fuel main engine, a liquid cargo pump in the form of a machine belt, a pre-installed berthing perception system, and a remote-control refuelling arm operation system.

“These advanced technologies showcase the industry's cutting-edge advancements and highlight the ship's green, intelligent, and digital characteristics,” Zhao Yan said.

Manifold Times previously reported Chimbusco releasing the first draft of Code of Practice for Marine Methanol Bunkering on the China National Institute of Standardisation website for feedback from the bunkering industry.

The draft outlined a comprehensive guide for methanol bunkering operations, safety procedures, and streamlining, standardising and tabulating the risk assessment of bunkering.

Photo credit: Chimbusco
Published: 3 October, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

South Korea launches USD 696 million green bunker fuel infrastructure fund

Out of KRW 1 trillion, KRW 600 billion will be invested to build port storage facilities capable of supplying alternative marine fuels while KRW 400 billion will be used for constructing four bunkering vessels.

Published

17 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Admin

South Korea launches USD 696 million green bunker fuel infrastructure fund

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Korea Ocean Business Corporation recently held a launch ceremony in Seoul for a KRW 1 trillion (USD 696 million) infrastructure fund that will be used to support the development of storage facilities for green marine fuels and bunkering vessels.

Out of the KRW 1 trillion, KRW 600 billion will be invested to build port storage facilities capable of supplying LNG, methanol, and ammonia, and the remaining KRW 400 billion will be invested in constructing four new LNG and ammonia bunkering vessels by 2030.

The move is expected to meet growing demand for green bunker fuels for domestic vessels and ensure reliable fuel supplies for foreign ships calling at domestic ports.

The ministry also announced that the Ulsan Hyundai Liquid Cargo Terminal Expansion Project was selected as the new fund’s first project to support the demand for methanol bunker fuel for domestic and foreign vessels. The total cost of the project is KRW 240 billion, of which KRW 130 billion will be provided by the infrastructure fund.

In addition, the government plans to strengthen LNG supply capabilities through the Yeosu Myodo LNG Hub Terminal Project scheduled as the second project to be supported by the fund.

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung, said: “Through the infrastructure fund, the government will flexibly expand the eco-friendly ship fuel supply infrastructure in line with future demand so that our ports can continue to secure a competitive edge as a global hub port.”

Photo credit: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of South Korea
Published: 22 January, 2025

Methanol

Singapore-based Global Energy, Towngas to develop green methanol bunker fuel supply chain

Both inked a memorandum of understanding to jointly advance supply and distribution of green methanol as a marine fuel for the shipping industry.

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Admin

Singapore-based Global Energy, Towngas to develop green methanol bunker fuel supply chain

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) on Monday (20 January) said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (M0U) with Singapore accredited bunker supplier Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd (Global Energy) to jointly advance the supply and distribution of green methanol as a marine fuel for the shipping industry.

The strategic collaboration between Towngas and Global Energy integrates production and logistics capabilities to provide end users with a holistic, end-to-end solution at major and regional ports.

The two parties will leverage complementary strengths to develop comprehensive green methanol supply solutions across Asia.

Mr Sham Man-fai, Chief Operating Officer – Green Fuels & Chemicals of Towngas, said: “This partnership represents a significant milestone in the green transition of maritime fuel supply.”

“By combining Towngas’s strengths in green methanol production with Global Energy’s supply chain management and market operation expertise, we are creating a robust platform to accelerate the shipping industry's decarbonisation journey.”

Mr Loh Hong-leong, Managing Director of Global Energy, said, “This collaboration is synergy in motion; together we are creating a one-stop bunkering solution to ensure green methanol is more accessible to the maritime industry.”

“Beyond supply, we could offer advisory on compliance and in managing the benefits of using green methanol.”

Towngas' methanol production plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia

Towngas’s methanol production plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, employing proprietary technology to convert biomass and municipal waste into green methanol, is the first enterprise on the Chinese mainland to achieve ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications for green methanol.

The company has outlined expansion plans to establish additional production bases across China, including in Inner Mongolia, the Greater Bay Area, and Hainan, with the goal of achieving an annual production capacity of 1 million tonnes of green fuel and chemical supplies.

Global Energy, the first company in Singapore to own and operate dedicated bunkering tankers for methanol, has already conducted several methanol bunkering operations in the region. Global Energy delivered over 4.7 million metric tonnes (mt) of marine fuels in 2024.

Photo credit: Hong Kong and China Gas Company
Published: 21 January, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Fratelli Cosulich orders another methanol-ready bunker tanker from Chinese shipyard

Firm placed an order for another methanol-ready chemical bunkering tanker, designed to carry fuel oil, biofuels up to B100, and methanol, with Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipbuilding.

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Admin

Fratelli Cosulich Group on Monday (20 January) said it has placed an order for another methanol-ready chemical bunkering tanker with Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipbuilding.

The 7,999 dwt IMO Type II chemical bunkering tanker is designed to carry fuel oil, biofuels up to B100, and methanol.

“The delivery of this methanol-ready vessel is scheduled for Q4 2026,” it said in a statement.

With this latest order, the total number of methanol-ready barges in the company’s fleet will increase to four.

“We strongly believe in a multi-energy future and are dedicated to staying ahead of the curve with the latest developments and technological innovations in the shipping industry,” it added.

Manifold Times previously reported Fratelli Cosulich placing an order for two advanced methanol-ready chemical bunkering tankers with the same shipbuilder.

The company ordered its first methanol dual-fuelled chemical bunker tanker on 15 December 2023. The vessel will be delivered in the last quarter of 2025 and will be located at the Port of Singapore under a contract with global commodities trader Trafigura.