Methanex completes first STS methanol bunkering demonstration in Trinidad

Methanol producer and supplier Methanex on Thursday (22 August) said it completed the first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering demonstration in the Caribbean at the Port of Point Lisas in Trinidad and Tobago.

Methanex said the milestone was achieved along with its subsidiary Waterfront Shipping and in collaboration with the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago, Paria Fuel Trading Company, NYK, Green Marine, Bunker Holding, Uni-Tankers and Dan Bunkering.

“The demonstration further proves methanol is a safe and simple-to-handle cleaner fuel that provides a future-proof pathway to a low-carbon future,” the firm said in a social media post.

It added that the demonstration also positions Trinidad and Tobago as a key player in decarbonising the maritime sector and establishes Point Lisas as a preferred destination for future methanol refuelling operations.

“This demonstration in Trinidad and Tobago is another step in supporting the shipping industry’s transition to lower-emission fuels,” said Paul Hexter, President of Waterfront Shipping. 

“By successfully conducting the first methanol ship-to-ship bunkering demonstration in the region, we have proven that our world-class maritime infrastructure is fully capable of supporting the energy transition,” added Vernon Paltoo, President of the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. 

With methanol available at over 125 of the world’s largest ports, Methanex concluded that its use as a marine fuel can help the shipping industry meet increasingly strict air emissions regulations.

This was the second methanol bunkering operation in Trinidad and Tobago highlighted this month. Methanol producer and supplier Proman also emphasised the potential of Trinidad as a methanol bunkering hub. 

Aleeya Ali, Managing Director of Operations for Proman Trinidad, said the huge increase in orders for methanol-fuelled ships, and the firm’s regular refuelling here in Trinidad, showed the viability of methanol as a marine fuel and the potential of Point Lisas and Trinidad as a bunkering hub.

At the time, Proman said it would have supplied 2,100 metric tonnes (mt) of methanol fuel to ships in August alone, and 12,500 mt in the past 12 months at Point Lisas, Trinidad. 

Related: Proman highlights Trinidad’s potential as a methanol bunkering hub

Photo credit: Methanex
Published: 27 August, 2024