Methanol

Methanol Institute: Advancing green marine fuels and strategic collaborations (Week 34, 19 to 25 Aug 2024)

This week’s highlights include IMO granting consultative status to Methanol Institute, marking a significant milestone for cleaner shipping, enabling MI to represent producers and stakeholders.

Published

8 months ago

August 29, 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:

The granting of consultative status at IMO to the Methanol Institute is a significant milestone for cleaner shipping, enabling MI to represent producers and stakeholders at the maritime industry’s primary law-making body.

The maritime industry has continued to push forward with initiatives that support and embrace methanol as a sustainable marine fuel and make increasing volumes available to consumers.

Methanol marine fuel related developments for Week 34 of 2024:

Rising Demand for Methanol as a Marine Fuel in Trinidad

Date: August 21, 2024

Key Points:

Trinidad is experiencing a surge in methanol bunker sales as part of a shift towards cleaner marine fuels. Proman, a chemical producer, recently supplied methanol bunkers to the vessel Stena Prosperous and plans further supplies. This growth reflects methanol's increasing acceptance as a versatile and eco-friendly marine fuel option, aligning with global regulatory efforts for greenhouse gas reductions. The consistent quality of methanol, regardless of its feedstock, supports its growing use and potential in achieving net-zero emissions in the maritime industry.

Methanol Institute Gains Key Role at IMO for Advancing Low-Carbon Shipping Fuels

Date: August 23, 2024

Key Points:

The Methanol Institute has secured consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), enabling it to actively participate in discussions and influence regulations on low-carbon fuels. This status allows the organization to collaborate with member states, develop methanol bunkering standards, and promote the use of methanol as an alternative marine fuel. The move aligns with global efforts to transition towards greener shipping practices and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Sinobunker and Towngas Partner for Green Methanol Bunker Fuel Research in China

Date: August 22, 2024

Key Points:

Sinobunker and Towngas have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to advance research on green methanol as a marine fuel. This collaboration focuses on technological advancements, raw material sourcing, and carbon certification to promote methanol bunkering and support the green transition in the shipping industry. The partnership aims to establish green methanol as a sustainable alternative to traditional marine fuels, aligning with global decarbonization efforts.

X-Press Feeders Expands Methanol-Fueled Shipping Operations with New Baltic Route

Date: August 23, 2024

Key Points:

X-Press Feeders has introduced a second methanol-fueled shipping route, the Green Baltic X-Press (GBX), operating between key ports like Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Klaipeda, and Riga. This expansion supports sustainable shipping practices amidst the EU's emissions trading scheme and upcoming Fuel EU Maritime regulations. The addition of the methanol-fueled vessel Eco Umande highlights the company's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with global efforts for greener maritime transport.

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 29 August, 2024

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Methanol

Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore

Ofiniti will issue electronic Bunker Delivery Notes, based on the recently published Technical Reference 129 on Methanol Bunkering, across Golden Island’s newbuilds and part of its existing fleet.

Published

1 day ago

April 29, 2025

Admin

Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore

Ofiniti, a provider of digital solutions for maritime bunker operations, on Tuesday (29 April) said Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd will adopt Ofiniti platforms for its expanding fleet operations.

Ofiniti said the move will lay the foundation for a digital multi-fuel future with Golden Island’s four new chemical tankers on order and Singapore-flagged bunker tanker Golden Antares, which will soon enter service.

As part of the transition, Ofiniti will roll out electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDNs), based on the recently published Technical Reference (TR) 129 on Methanol Bunkering, across Golden Island’s newbuilds and part of its existing fleet.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), on 10 March published TR 129 to provide a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel for bunkering operations.

Kenny Yap Song Jin, Low Carbon Solutions, Golden Island, said: “Launching our methanol bunkering operations is a major milestone, not just for Golden Island, but for Singapore’s journey toward multi-fuel readiness.

“By combining innovative low-carbon fuels with digital transparency, we set a new benchmark for safe, efficient, and sustainable marine fuel delivery.”

Ofiniti said it has supported suppliers through every stage of the industry’s transition, from conventional fuels to LNG, biofuels, hydrogen, and now, supporting methanol.

Tue Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer, Ofiniti, said: “I’m proud to welcome Golden Island to Ofiniti’s platforms.

“Their move signals a strong trust in our ability to support next-generation operations, and it reflects a broader shift in the market towards digital solutions built specifically for the realities of maritime fuels today and tomorrow.

“We are customer-obsessed, always trying to build in resilience to the way we are doing business.”

Manifold Times previously reported Golden Island’s plans to start bunkering trials of green methanol with its newbuild Singapore-flagged 7,999 dwt IMO type 2 bunker tanker from July.

Golden Antares was scheduled to depart a Chinese shipyard by late April and will lift green methanol produced by Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) before returning to Singapore to begin bunkering trials.

In April, Ofiniti welcomed bunkering and marine fuel solutions provider Global Fuel Supply (GFS) to its FuelBoss platform as one of its newest customers.

GFS said it was proud to be the first physical supplier in West Africa to launch fully digitalised bunker operations with electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) via the FuelBoss platform.

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 29 April, 2025

Newbuilding

Wan Hai Lines orders four methanol-ready boxships for USD 816 million

Wan Hai Lines, on behalf of Wan Hai Lines (Singapore), announced it has placed an order for four more 16,000 TEU container vessels from South Korea shipbuilders HD Hyundai Samho and Samsung Heavy Industries.

Published

1 day ago

April 29, 2025

Admin

KPI OceanConnect facilitates Wan Hai Lines on its first biofuel delivery in Singapore

Taiwanese operator Wan Hai Lines, on behalf of Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd, on Thursday (24 April) announced it has placed an order for four more methanol-ready container vessels from two South Korean shipbuilding companies.

According to the company’s stock exchange filings, HD Hyundai Samho, part of HD Hyundai Group, and Samsung Heavy Industries will each build two 16,000 TEU capacity container vessels.

The newbuilding deals amount to a combined value of up to USD 816 million with Wan Hai Lines spending between USD 186.5 million and USD 204 million per unit for the boxships at HD Hyundai, and between USD 187.6 million to USD 204 million for the ones at SHI.

Last year, Wan Hai Lines placed an order with the same South Korean shipbuilders to construct four methanol-fuelled vessels each of the same capacity as the latest order.

Photo credit: Wan Hai Lines
Published: 29 April, 2025

Shipping Corridor

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe shipping corridor

Corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton.

Published

5 days ago

April 25, 2025

Admin

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe green shipping corridor

Korean non-government organisation Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) on Wednesday (23 April) released a report proposing the establishment of a green methanol-fuelled South Korea-Europe shipping corridor.

The proposed corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton, presenting strategic pathways for the decarbonization of the maritime sector.

South Korea has announced its “Greenship-K Program” to accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly vessels and set a national goal to achieve a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by 2050.

Focusing on a green methanol-fuelled Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operation model, the report quantitatively assessed the potential for greenhouse gas reduction along key routes. Notably, the Bremerhaven–Pyeongtaek route alone is estimated to reduce more than 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, given its high cargo volume.

The report proposed the adoption of green methanol as the primary fuel for the corridor, with a long-term goal to transition toward e-methanol. This shift is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional fossil fuel use.

Beyond fuel switching, the report emphasised the importance of securing a stable green fuel supply chain, establishing supportive legal and institutional frameworks, and fostering close public-private cooperation among shipping companies, cargo owners, port operators, and fuel suppliers to make the corridor a viable reality.

“With these foundational elements in place, Pyeongtaek Port is well positioned to become the starting point of Korea’s transition toward a decarbonised maritime sector,” SFOC said.

Note: The full report by SFOC can be viewed here and it is also available in Korean here.

Photo credit: Solutions for Our Climate
Published: 25 April, 2025