DP World’s Marine Services business, Shipping Solutions, on Monday (31 August) announced the naming of its new methanol dual-fuel vessel, DP World London, at a ceremony in Aarhus, Denmark, marking a milestone in the company’s investment in more connected, resilient and lower-carbon supply chains. 

The DP World London is a 1,250 TEU container vessel built in China and delivered in April 2026. Owned by Germany’s Elbdeich Reederei and operated by DP World’s Shipping Solutions business, the Portugal-flagged vessel will operate on the North Europe service. 

Measuring 148 metres in length, the vessel is equipped with a modern five-cylinder main engine and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology to reduce emissions and support compliance with international environmental standards. It completed its first bunkering in Rotterdam on 25 June 2026 with Unibarge as the bunkering partner and Methanex supplying the methanol. 

Founded in Aarhus in 1977 as Unifeeder, DP World’s Shipping Solutions business operates feeder and shortsea services across Europe and other markets. It is part of DP World’s Marine Services portfolio.

Martin Gaard Christiansen, CEO, Shipping Solutions EAM, DP World, said: “This is a proud moment for our Shipping Solutions team. Aarhus is where our story began, and it remains central to our character. Our DNA is about staying close to customers, keeping our word, staying calm in volatile markets and finding practical solutions when conditions change. This dual-fuel vessel reflects both our heritage and the future we are building.” 

Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer, Marine Services, DP World, said: “The future of maritime trade will be shaped by resilience, connectivity and more sustainable transport solutions. This methanol dual-fuel vessel is a tangible example of how DP World is investing in practical innovation to provide customers with more reliable, flexible and lower-emission shipping solutions. It also strengthens our integrated network, reinforcing our ability to deliver seamless supply chain solutions across ports, terminals, marine services, inland logistics and freight forwarding, while helping keep global trade moving.” 

Photo credit: DP World
Published: 1 September, 2026

​International container transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) on Friday (28 August) held the naming ceremony for OOCL Grace, the company’s second methanol dual-fuel container vessel.

The naming ceremony was held at the shipyard of Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co Ltd (NACKS). Annetta Duan, Global Logistics Director of Hayco Group, named OOCL Grace and bestowed her blessings upon the vessel in the presence of many guests.

OOCL Grace is the second of seven 24,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessels built by NACKS for OOCL. 

From the successful naming of the series’ first vessel, OOCL Wisdom, in May this year, to OOCL Wisdom completing its first green methanol bunkering and commencing its maiden voyage to Europe in July, and now the official debut of OOCL Grace, this series of currently the world’s largest methanol dual-fuel vessels is being completed and deployed in succession.

At the naming ceremony, Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades and Member of the Executive Committee of OOCL, said: “In a complex and ever-changing market environment, OOCL remains firmly committed to advancing the expansion, greening and digitalization of our fleet. 

“With the successive delivery of OOCL Grace and her sister vessels, we will continue to optimise our capacity deployment and network configuration, providing customers with higher-quality, more stable and sustainable logistics solutions, while playing an important role in connecting industries, markets and global trade.”

Photo credit: ​​Orient Overseas Container
Published: 31 August, 2026

South Korean firm EcoMethanol on Wednesday (26 August) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the supply of green methanol with Taebaek City, Hyundai Corporation, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean AS of Norway and EUKOR Car Carriers. 

The signing took place at EUKOR’s head office in Seoul.

EcoMethanol is the special purpose company set up by South Korean clean energy firm Plagen to build a green methanol plant in Taebaek, Gangwon State. 

Under the MoU, Hyundai Corporation will buy the methanol produced in Taebaek and sell it on to the two carriers, which will burn it as fuel in their own fleets. Taebaek City takes part as an equity co-investor and will provide administrative and policy support. Production, trading and end use are tied together in a single chain, the first such arrangement in Korea.

Manifold Times previously reported Taebaek City and Plagen signing an investment agreement for a new green methanol production plant in the South Korean city that will be supplied as bunker fuel.

The plant will produce 15,000 metric tonnes (mt) a year from forestry residues, using dual fluidized bed (DFB) gasification, a process already proven in commercial operation. Total investment is KRW 120 billion.

EcoMethanol holds Korea’s integrated environmental permit, has secured its site in the Dongjeom Industrial Complex and has completed basic design. Construction is due to start in December 2026 and commercial production in January 2029. The plant will employ 36 people locally.

Taebaek’s role as a production hub is written into both national and provincial plans. The Taebaek Jangseong Colliery Economic Revitalization Project cleared preliminary feasibility review in 2025 with a green methanol facility included in its scope, and Gangwon State lists a green methanol cluster in its mid- to long-term investment plan for former coal-mining regions. Dongjeom will be the first of these facilities to be built, because its industrial site is already developed.

Carbon regulation in shipping is no longer a prospect. The EU Emissions Trading System now covers maritime transport, the FuelEU Maritime regulation on greenhouse gas intensity is in force, and the International Maritime Organization is moving toward adoption of its Net-Zero Framework.

Korean carriers are already buying green methanol. HMM’s methanol-fueled container ships HMM Green and HMM Forest took on 2,900 mt and 3,110 mt at Yangshan Port in Shanghai in March and May 2025. 

The car carrier Arctic Tern, operated by EUKOR, loaded about 2,800 mt in Shanghai in July 2026 before starting commercial service on the Asia-Europe route. All of that fuel was made in China.

Korea produces none of its own. Ulsan Port was the first port anywhere to bunker green methanol for a ship, in 2023, but the fuel had been imported. 

Korea consumes roughly 2 million mt of methanol a year, most of it imported and made from fossil feedstock.

The Taebaek plant would be the country’s first domestic source of clean marine fuel.

Related: Korea: Taebaek City and PLAGEN to build green methanol bunker fuel plant

Photo credit: EcoMethanol
Published: 28 August, 2026