Methanol

Methanol Institute: Advancements in green shipping (Week 38, 16 to 22 Sep 2024)

This week saw vessel operators plan further investments in methanol powered tonnage while others have extended their port networks and infrastructure strategies.

Published

7 months ago

September 26, 2024

Admin

The Methanol Institute, provides an exclusive weekly commentary on developments related to the adoption of methanol as a bunker fuel, including significant related events recorded during the week, for the readers of bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Physical projects and future commitments were in the news this week as vessel operators plan further investments in methanol powered tonnage while others have extended their port networks and infrastructure strategies.

The focus continues to be both on demand for bunkering capacity, the technical expertise around its use (the MI created a technical reference to methanol bunkering with Lloyd’s Register in 2020) and in securing the capacity operators will need to power their methanol fueled ships in future.

Methanol marine fuel related developments for Week 38 of 2024:

Svitzer Orders First Battery-Methanol Hybrid Tug for Swedish Port Operations

Date: September 17, 2024

Key Points:

Svitzer has placed an order for a battery-methanol powered tug, set to be built at Uzmar shipyard in Turkey. The vessel will feature battery propulsion with dual-fuel methanol engines as a backup, designed for enhanced operational efficiency compared to traditional tugs. The tug will operate in the Port of Gothenburg, which is investing in shore power and already supports methanol bunkering.

X-Press Feeders Expands Green Corridor, Adding Klaipeda with Methanol-Powered port calls

Date: September 17, 2024

Key Points:

X-Press Feeders' methanol-fueled vessel, Eco Umande, made its first call at the Port of Klaipeda, adding the Baltic port to a green corridor connecting Rotterdam, Antwerp, Klaipeda, and Riga. This strategic move supports sustainability goals by reducing CO2 emissions, with the Port of Klaipeda actively investing in eco-friendly equipment and processes to promote greener port operations.

Methanol Shipping Project Advances Sustainable Solutions for Inland Shipping

Date: September 17, 2024

Key Points:

The Methanol for Shipping project has made notable progress with the successful retrofitting to methanol propulsion of the Stolt IJssel, a European inland vessel . This retrofit is a key achievement, as it marks the first inland vessel to receive certification for methanol use. The project involves multiple stakeholders, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of methanol as a fuel for inland shipping. It also paves the way for future methanol retrofits in the sector, setting new benchmarks for safety and compliance with environmental standards.

Maersk Completes Methanol Bunkering Simulation in Japan, Paving the Way for Green Fuel Adoption

Date: September 18, 2024

Key Points:

Maersk recently participated in a methanol bunkering simulation in Yokohama, Japan, using the, 16,000 TEU container ship Alette Maersk. The simulation is part of an ongoing effort to develop methanol bunkering infrastructure in Japan, following an agreement between Maersk, the City of Yokohama, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical. The Japanese government is working on standardizing methanol bunkering processes, and this simulation represents a critical step toward establishing the necessary frameworks for future methanol use in shipping.

Green Fuel Demand on the Rotterdam-Singapore Corridor Projected to Reach 5 Million MT by 2028

Date: September 20, 2024

Key Points:

The Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Corridor is expected to drive demand for green methanol and bio/synthetic LNG, to five million metric tons annually by 2028. The initiative, supported by 25 partners including major shipping firms including AP Moller-Maersk and CMA CGM, aims to reduce emissions by at least 20% by 2030 on this 15,000 km route.

MOL Strengthens Investment in US E-Methanol Producer to Drive Shipping Decarbonization

Date: September 20, 2024

Key Points:

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), through its subsidiary MOL Clean Energy US, has invested in HIF Global, a company specializing in synthetic fuels like e-methanol. This investment supports MOL’s goal of creating a sustainable supply chain for synthetic e-fuels derived from renewable energy and recycled CO2. HIF Global is targeting four million tons of annual production of e-fuels across multiple countries, contributing to decarbonizing the shipping industry.

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 26 September, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: GCMD develops calculator to explore IMO GFI-linked pricing system

Free cost and compliance calculator has been developed by its team based on the newly approved GHG emissions pricing framework by IMO’s MPEC 83 recently.

Published

7 days ago

April 16, 2025

Admin

Singapore: GCMD develops calculator to explore IMO GFI-linked pricing system

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Tuesday (15 April) introduced a free cost and compliance calculator that has been developed by its team based on the newly approved greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing framework by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MPEC 83).

The calculator will help maritime stakeholders explore how the two-tiered, GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI)-linked pricing system could impact operational costs.

GCMD said the buzz around International Maritime Organization's MEPC 83 and the newly approved GHG emissions pricing framework has been intense — and understandably so.

“To help make sense of it, our CEO Prof. Lynn Loo started with handwritten trajectory calculations to break down the core workings,” it said in a social media post.

“Building on that, our team has developed a simple, accessible cost and compliance calculator to help you explore how the two-tiered, GFI-linked pricing system could impact operational costs.”

The calculator is just one input—its results should be considered alongside other economic and operational factors to inform commercial decisions.

The tool covers covers heavy fuel oil (HFO), liquified natural gas (LNG), B24 biofuel, e-ammonia and bio-methanol.

“Whether you're assessing fuel options, planning newbuilds, or just trying to get a feel for what this might mean for your operations — this tool offers a useful first-cut view. For added clarity, we’ve included the workings on the side so you can trace the calculation process,” GCMD added.

Note: GCMD’s cost and compliance calculator can be found here.

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 16 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

4.47 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in March, up from 4.45 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA data.

Published

1 week ago

April 15, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 0.5% on year in March 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.47 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,469,170 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in March, up from 4.45 million mt (4,445,070 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in March (against on year) recorded respectively 1.62 million mt (+0.6% from 1.61 million mt), 2.33 million mt (-3.7% from 2.42 million mt), 500 mt (+100% from zero), 100 mt (-98% from 5,100 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in March (against on year) recorded respectively 51,900 mt (+100% from zero), 93,700 mt (+42% from 66,000 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). A new addition of biofuel blend, introduced in February this year, B100, recorded no sales in March.

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 39,000 mt (+1% from 38,600) and zero (from zero).

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 March, 2025

Events

Maritime Week Americas to assess how US policy changes will impact bunkering

Event, taking place in May, will try to assess how US policy changes will impact the day-to-day business of shipping and bunkering, as well as the maritime industry’s shift towards a zero carbon future.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 11, 2025

Admin

Maritime Week Americas to assess how US policy changes will impact bunkering

Maritime Week Americas is coming to the United States amid the trade mayhem and turmoil and will try to assess how US policy changes will impact the day-to-day business of shipping and bunkering, as well as the maritime industry’s shift towards a zero carbon future.

President Donald Trump has wasted no time in overturning the status quo and injecting massive uncertainty into every aspect of world trade, said ship.energy.

With the dust still nowhere near settling, there is no telling when the chaos will end or what the energy, shipping and bunker markets will look like in a month or year from now.

Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO of ship.energy, founder and organiser of Maritime Week Americas, said: “There is no doubt that the conversations at MWA25 will be livelier that ever as delegates battle to come to terms with a completely new world order. What all this turmoil means to shipping and bunkering, let alone to global, regional, and national economies, will be the question that everyone joining us in Tampa will be asking. Hopefully by the end of the event we will have some answers.”

Maritime Week Americas is always where the key questions are raised and answers are sought. With vigorous debate and frank discussion, well over 250 bunker buyers, suppliers and traders will gather in Tampa for an intense week that includes training, the MWA25 Flagship Conference, and – as always – some unmissable networking.

MWA25 will look at shipping and bunker markets throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, examining traditional bunker markets and the ‘new’ fuels whose take-up is rapidly picking up pace. But can the same be said now for the United States?

Traditional marine fuels are still the mainstay throughout the Americas. The conference will examine fuel quality and quantity issues and take a close look at what is happening in some of the continent’s more active markets, such as Peru and Panama.

There LNG is now a mainstream marine fuel as its availability grows throughout the Americas, with Panama among the newest supply hubs. But is there potential for a backlash over LNG’s green credentials?

Biofuels are also on a fast upward trajectory, with Brazil and other countries now leading the way. But while LNG and biofuels look set to play a key role in fuelling ships for the foreseeable future, other fuels, such as methanol, ammonia and hydrogen may not be too far behind. These, and the full range of alternative fuels will be examined in depth during the MWA Conference.

More ports are now beginning to appreciate the environmental benefits of making shore power available to visiting vessels, with some – such as Miami – currently assessing the benefits of installing electric power facilities and others – such as Seattle – already planning to mandate cold ironing for cruise ships visiting the port. At the same time, more electric-powered vessels are beginning to appear, with Canada’s Montreal and Vancouver currently leading the way with new electric ferries. Meanwhile, the world’s biggest electric-powered ferry is expected to start operating between Buenos Aires in Argentina and Colonia in Uruguay by mid-2025.

For the first time, Maritime week Americas will include an entire session focused on Jamaica, an island determined to revitalise and boost its shipping, maritime and bunkering activities.

As always, MWA25 will feature some exciting networking events, designed to highlight the new venue and to ensure that the delegates take every opportunity to network.

Note: More information on Maritime Week Americas can be found here.

Photo credit: Petrospot
Published: 11 April, 2025