The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and multi-disciplinary methanol consultancy Green Marine on Monday (24 July) said they have signed a cooperation agreement to develop a methanol bunkering training programme to further the cause of a skilled and competent bunker workforce, with support from the Methanol Institute.

The three organisations said training remains a key priority for IBIA as we move into a greener and more sustainable future addressing the needs of future manpower training and the future-proofing of the existing workforce.

The cooperation agreement is aimed to provide training for existing and future crew operating on bunker tankers and bunker surveyors are competent and ready for methanol bunkering on a larger scale. The plan is to commence the training in Singapore first and expanding globally in 2024.

In the first instance, IBIA and Green Marine have worked together with the crew from the supplying tanker and the bunker surveyors involved in the methanol bunkering pilot in Singapore, identifying and plugging the training gaps and competency needs prior to the pilot.

Timothy Cosulich, Chair of IBIA, said: “IBIA’s strategic focus on training is driven by the impending transformative changes in the maritime industry, especially concerning alternative fuel options for achieving environmental targets by 2030 and 2050. We are committed to equipping our members with essential knowledge and skills to navigate this evolving landscape successfully.”

“Our exciting partnership with Green Marine allows us to expand bunker-related courses, enriching educational opportunities. We are grateful for the Methanol Institute’s endorsement, which reinforces the importance of our training initiative and the dedication of industry leaders to a well-prepared maritime workforce. Through strategic training and partnerships, IBIA strives to steer the maritime community towards a greener and more sustainable future, fostering a cleaner, responsible, and resilient shipping industry.”

Morten Jacobsen, CEO of Green Marine, said: “Green Marine’s methanol training curriculum was created based on practical knowledge gathered over a decade of experience working on methanol dual fuel vessels. Our methanol specialists are captains and chief engineers with first-hand knowledge of working with methanol as marine fuel and the safe handling of same.”

“Their experience includes services from methanol system design integration consultancy to newbuilding construction supervision, technical management, and operations. Our methanol training curriculum is supplementing baseline regulatory training requirements with practical, experience-based learning.” 

Chris Chatterton, Chief Operating Officer, the Methanol Institute, said: “We applaud Green Marine’s ongoing efforts to support the development of methanol as a marine fuel, now together with IBIA, effectively creating the ‘gold standard’ for safe handling and bunkering.  These are still early days for alternative fuels, making it a necessity to collaborate on fundamental elements for their safe and efficient integration with the maritime supply chain, bunkering and on-board handling.  Such partnerships allow us as an industry to go further, faster, as we transition to a lower emissions environment.”

Last month, Manifold Times previously reported the Methanol Institute welcoming Green Marine as its latest member.

The Denmark-headquartered company recently finalised a specialist training programme for crews onboard methanol dual-fuel vessels, supplementing baseline regulatory training requirements with practical, experience-based learning.

Earlier, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels and Green Marine Bunkering announced they have entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a joint development study on methanol as a new marine fuel in Singapore.

Both will study the feasibility to implement a viable methanol bunkering supply chain in the country.

Related: Green Marine joins Methanol Institute, provides crew training for methanol dual-fuel vessels
Related: Singapore: TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, Green Marine to study methanol bunkering supply chain
Related: MPA organises workshop on safe handling of methanol bunker fuel in Singapore
Related: SMW 2023: Methanol-based spill scenario organised for ICOPCE table-top exercise
Related: Methanol Institute publishes first complete guide to methanol as a marine fuel

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 25 July, 2023